Search for intrinsic charm in vector boson production accompanied by heavy flavor jets

Abstract

Up to now, the existence of intrinsic (or valence-like) heavy quark component of the proton distribution functions has not yet been confirmed or rejected. The LHC with pp-collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7-13 TeV can supply us with extra unique information concerning this hypothesis. On the basis of our theoretical studies, it is demonstrated that investigations of the intrinsic heavy quark contributions look very promising in processes like $pp \rightarrow Z/W + c(b) + X$. A ratio of $Z+$ heavy jets over $W+$ heavy jets differential cross section as a function of the leading jet transverse momentum is proposed to maximize the sensitivity to the intrinsic charm component of the proton.