Hep-Ex explores the fascinating intersection where particle physics meets experimental reality. This field investigates how scientists build massive detectors and accelerate particles to test the fundamental laws of nature, turning abstract theories into measurable data. It is the rigorous process of searching for new particles or forces that could reshape our understanding of the universe, often requiring years of collaboration and engineering.

At Gist.Science, we ensure these discoveries become accessible to everyone. We process every new preprint in this category directly from arXiv, generating both plain-language explanations for curious readers and detailed technical summaries for specialists. Our goal is to bridge the gap between complex experimental results and public understanding without losing scientific nuance.

Below are the latest papers in Hep-Ex, freshly summarized and ready for you to explore.

Inclusive ψ(2S)ψ(2S) production at midrapidity in pp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV

This paper presents the first measurement of inclusive ψ(2S)\psi(2S) production at midrapidity in pp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV using the ALICE detector, reporting the transverse-momentum differential cross section and its ratio to J/ψ\psi production, which reveals a mild rise in the ratio with increasing pTp_{\rm T} and is compared with NRQCD and ICEM theoretical models.

ALICE Collaboration2026-02-27⚛️ nucl-ex

Measurement of the charged-particle-jet transverse-momentum fraction carried by prompt and non-prompt J/ψψ mesons in pp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s}=13 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration reports the first measurement of the charged-particle jet transverse-momentum fraction (zchz^{\rm ch}) carried by prompt and non-prompt J/ψ\psi mesons in 13 TeV proton-proton collisions, revealing that while PYTHIA 8 simulations qualitatively reproduce the data for zch<0.9z^{\rm ch} < 0.9, they significantly overestimate the fraction of isolated J/ψ\psi mesons at high zchz^{\rm ch} values, highlighting challenges in modeling the hadronization of low-momentum jets.

ALICE Collaboration2026-02-27⚛️ nucl-ex

Measurements of the production of W±^{\pm} and Z0^0 bosons in pp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV

This paper presents ALICE measurements of W±^{\pm} and Z0^0 boson production cross sections in pp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV via their electronic decay channels, comparing the results with perturbative QCD calculations and reporting the first LHC observation of W±^{\pm} production and associated hadrons as a function of charged-particle multiplicity.

ALICE Collaboration2026-02-27⚛️ nucl-ex

Understanding the impact of nuclear effects on proton decay searches with the GiBUU model

This study utilizes the GiBUU framework to demonstrate that while pion final-state interactions have a moderate impact on proton decay search sensitivity in water Cherenkov detectors, the choice of Fermi momentum distribution constitutes the dominant systematic uncertainty affecting atmospheric neutrino background estimates.

Qiyu Yan, Akira Takenaka, Kai Gallmeister, Xianguo Lu, Ulrich Mosel, Yangheng Zheng2026-02-27⚛️ nucl-ex

First measurements of the branching fractions for the decay modes Ξc0ΛηΞ_c^{0} \to Λη and Ξc0ΛηΞ_c^0 \to Λη' and search for the decay Ξc0Λπ0Ξ_c^{0} \to Λπ^0 using Belle and Belle II data

Using combined Belle and Belle II data, this study presents the first observation of the decay Ξc0Λη\Xi_c^0 \to \Lambda\eta, provides evidence for Ξc0Λη\Xi_c^0 \to \Lambda\eta', and sets an upper limit for Ξc0Λπ0\Xi_c^0 \to \Lambda\pi^0, thereby determining their absolute branching fractions and advancing the understanding of singly Cabibbo-suppressed charm baryon decay mechanisms.

Belle, Belle II Collaborations, :, M. Abumusabh, I. Adachi, L. Aggarwal, H. Ahmed, Y. Ahn, H. Aihara, N. Akopov, S. Alghamdi, M. Alhakami, A. Aloisio, N. Althubiti, K. Amos, N. Anh Ky, C. Antonioli, D (…)2026-02-26⚛️ hep-ex

Opportunities for Imaging Light Nuclei with a Second Interaction Region at the Electron-Ion Collider

This paper presents an exploratory study demonstrating how a proposed second interaction region at the Electron-Ion Collider, featuring enhanced forward acceptance, would enable the detection of intact light nuclei to map their spatial parton distributions through coherent diffractive processes.

Wan Chang, Elke-Caroline Aschenauer, Alexander Jentsch, Arjun Kumar, Zhoudunming Tu, Zhongbao Yin2026-02-26⚛️ nucl-ex

Parton distributions with higher twist and jet power corrections

This paper presents a global determination of parton distribution functions that incorporates higher twist corrections for deep-inelastic scattering and linear power corrections for LHC jet data using a theory covariance formalism, demonstrating improved data description and perturbative convergence for key phenomenological observables like Higgs production and αs\alpha_s determination.

Richard D. Ball, Amedeo Chiefa, Roy Stegeman2026-02-26⚛️ hep-ex