Three-component multiplicity distribution, oscillation of combinants and properties of clans in $pp$ collisions at the LHC

Abstract

Multiplicity distributions of charged particles measured by the ATLAS Collaboration in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ and 13 TeV are analyzed in the framework of a weighted superposition of three negative binomial distribution functions. The examination of the experimental data confirms the existence of a narrow peak at low multiplicities found earlier at $\sqrt{s}=0.9$ and 7 TeV. The peak is described by the third separate component of the total distribution. The energy dependence of the multiplicity characteristics of the three-component scenario is studied. It is demonstrated that the third multiplicity component might be responsible for oscillations of combinants observed lately in the analysis of the multiplicity distributions measured in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. Some consequences of the three-component description of the data for the clan parameters are analyzed.