Hadronic distributions and correlations at "small x" in Quantum Chromodynamics

Abstract

We exactely calculate the inclusive transverse momentum (kt) distributions and the 2-particle momentum correlations in high energy hadronic jets at the Modified Leading Logarithmic Approximation (MLLA) of QCD (Quantum Chromodynamics). We first obtain the exact solution of the evolution equations at "small x", which we calculate at the so called "limiting spectrum". We then go beyond this approximation by performing the steepest descent evaluation, which allows to generalize the preceeding results. Our predictions are in good agreement with the data (LEP, Tevatron) and improve those which have been obtained in the past. The comparison with forthcoming data (Tevatron, LHC) will further test the hypothesis of Local Hadron Parton Duality, and the eventual need to incorporate NMLLA corrections.