Saturation momentum at fixed and running QCD coupling

Abstract

A relationship, linking the saturation momentum in the case of fixed and running QCD coupling, respectively, is derived from the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation. It relies on the linear instability of the evolution equation in the dilute regime. The leading orders of the saturation momenta are mapped onto each other exactly. For subleading terms a qualitative correspondence is achieved with a relative error going to zero for large rapidities. The relationship can also be derived for the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation with a cutoff accounting for low-density effects and is satisfied by the corresponding isoline functions. Further implications arise for the existence of travelling-wave solutions in the two situations.