Showing papers on "Parton published in 2020"

The Large Hadron-Electron Collider at the HL-LHC

Abstract: The Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC) is designed to move the field of deep inelastic scattering (DIS) to the energy and intensity frontier of particle physics. Exploiting energy recovery technology, it collides a novel, intense electron beam with a proton or ion beam from the High Luminosity--Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The accelerator and interaction region are designed for concurrent electron-proton and proton-proton operation. This report represents an update of the Conceptual Design Report (CDR) of the LHeC, published in 2012. It comprises new results on parton structure of the proton and heavier nuclei, QCD dynamics, electroweak and top-quark physics. It is shown how the LHeC will open a new chapter of nuclear particle physics in extending the accessible kinematic range in lepton-nucleus scattering by several orders of magnitude. Due to enhanced luminosity, large energy and the cleanliness of the hadronic final states, the LHeC has a strong Higgs physics programme and its own discovery potential for new physics. Building on the 2012 CDR, the report represents a detailed updated design of the energy recovery electron linac (ERL) including new lattice, magnet, superconducting radio frequency technology and further components. Challenges of energy recovery are described and the lower energy, high current, 3-turn ERL facility, PERLE at Orsay, is presented which uses the LHeC characteristics serving as a development facility for the design and operation of the LHeC. An updated detector design is presented corresponding to the acceptance, resolution and calibration goals which arise from the Higgs and parton density function physics programmes. The paper also presents novel results on the Future Circular Collider in electron-hadron mode, FCC-eh, which utilises the same ERL technology to further extend the reach of DIS to even higher centre-of-mass energies.

Herwig 7.2 release note

Abstract: A new release of the Monte Carlo event generator Herwig (version 7.2) is now available. This version introduces a number of improvements over the major version 7.0, notably: multi-jet merging with the dipole shower at LO and NLO QCD; spin correlations in both the dipole and angular-ordered parton showers; an improved choice of evolution variable in the angular-ordered parton shower; improvements to mass effects and top decays in the dipole shower, improvements to the simulation of multiple-parton interactions, including diffractive processes; a new model for baryonic colour reconnection; improvements to strangeness production; as well as a new tune of the hadronisation parameters and support for generic Lorentz structures in BSM models. This article illustrates new features of versions 7.1 and 7.2.

Parton showers beyond leading logarithmic accuracy

Abstract: Parton showers are among the most widely used tools in collider physics. Despite their key importance, none so far have been able to demonstrate accuracy beyond a basic level known as leading logarithmic order, with ensuing limitations across a broad spectrum of physics applications. In this Letter, we propose criteria for showers to be considered next-to-leading logarithmic accurate. We then introduce new classes of shower, for final-state radiation, that satisfy the main elements of these criteria in the widely used large-NC limit. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate these showers’ agreement with all-order analytical next-to-leading logarithmic calculations for a range of observables, something never so far achieved for any parton shower.

Parton distributions from LHC, HERA, Tevatron and fixed target data: MSHT20 PDFs

Abstract: We present the new MSHT20 set of parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton, determined from global analyses of the available hard scattering data. The PDFs are made available at NNLO, NLO, and LO, and supersede the MMHT14 sets. They are obtained using the same basic framework, but the parameterisation is now adapted and extended, and there are 32 pairs of eigenvector PDFs. We also include a large number of new data sets: from the final HERA combined data on total and heavy flavour structure functions, to final Tevatron data, and in particular a significant number of new LHC 7 and 8 TeV data sets on vector boson production, inclusive jets and top quark distributions. We include up to NNLO QCD corrections for all data sets that play a major role in the fit, and NLO EW corrections where relevant. We find that these updates have an important impact on the PDFs, and for the first time the NNLO fit is strongly favoured over the NLO, reflecting the wider range and in particular increased precision of data included in the fit. There are some changes to central values and a significant reduction in the uncertainties of the PDFs in many, though not all, cases. Nonetheless, the PDFs and the resulting predictions are generally within one standard deviation of the MMHT14 results. The major changes are the $u-d$ valence quark difference at small $x$, due to the improved parameterisation and new precise data, the $\bar d, \bar u$ difference at small $x$, due to a much improved parameterisation, and the strange quark PDF due to the effect of LHC $W,Z$ data and inclusion of new NNLO corrections for dimuon production in neutrino DIS. We discuss the phenomenological impact of our results, and in general find reduced uncertainties in predictions for processes such as Higgs, top quark pair and $W,Z$ production at post LHC Run-II energies.

Transverse-momentum-dependent parton distributions up to N3LL from Drell-Yan data

Abstract: We present an extraction of unpolarised Transverse-Momentum-Dependent Parton Distribution Functions based on Drell-Yan production data from different experiments, including those at the LHC, and spanning a wide kinematic range. We deal with experimental uncertainties by properly taking into account correlations. We include resummation of logarithms of the transverse momentum of the vector boson up to N$^{3}$LL order, and we include non-perturbative contributions. These ingredients allow us to obtain a remarkable agreement with the data.

Transverse momentum dependent PDFs at N 3 LO

Abstract: We compute the quark and gluon transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO) in perturbative QCD. Our calculation is based on an expansion of the differential Drell-Yan and gluon fusion Higgs production cross sections about their collinear limit. This method allows us to employ cutting edge multiloop techniques for the computation of cross sections to extract these universal building blocks of the collinear limit of QCD. The corresponding perturbative matching kernels for all channels are expressed in terms of simple harmonic polylogarithms up to weight five. As a byproduct, we confirm a previous computation of the soft function for transverse momentum factorization at N3LO. Our results are the last missing ingredient to extend the qT subtraction methods to N3LO and to obtain resummed qT spectra at N3LL′ accuracy both for gluon as well as for quark initiated processes.

Parton Distribution Functions of the Charged Pion Within The xFitter Framework

Abstract: We present the first open-source analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs) of charged pions using xFitter, an open-source QCD fit framework to facilitate PDF extraction and analyses. Our calculations are implemented at next-to-leading order (NLO) using applgrids generated by the mcfm generator. Using currently available Drell-Yan and photon production data, we find the valence distribution is well constrained; however, the considered data are not sensitive enough to unambiguously determine sea and gluon distributions. Fractions of momentum carried by the valence, sea and gluon components are discussed, and we compare with the results of the JAM collaboration and the GRV group.

Kaon and pion parton distributions

Abstract: Beginning with results for the leading-twist two-particle distribution amplitudes of $$\pi $$ - and K-mesons, each of which exhibits dilation driven by the mechanism responsible for the emergence of hadronic mass, we develop parameter-free predictions for the pointwise behaviour of all $$\pi $$ and K distribution functions (DFs), including glue and sea. The large-x behaviour of each DF meets expectations based on quantum chromodynamics; the valence-quark distributions match extractions from available data, including the pion case when threshold resummation effects are included; and at $$\zeta _5=5.2\,$$ GeV, the scale of existing measurements, the light-front momentum of these hadrons is shared as follows: $$\langle x_{\mathrm{valence}} \rangle ^\pi = 0.41(4)$$ , $$\langle x_{\mathrm{glue}} \rangle ^\pi = 0.45(2)$$ , $$\langle x_{\mathrm{sea}} \rangle ^\pi = 0.14(2)$$ ; and $$\langle x_{\mathrm{valence}} \rangle ^K = 0.42(3)$$ , $$\langle x_{\mathrm{glue}} \rangle ^K = 0.44(2)$$ , $$\langle x_{\mathrm{sea}} \rangle ^K = 0.14(2)$$ . The kaon’s glue and sea distributions are similar to those in the pion, although the inclusion of mass-dependent splitting functions introduces some differences on the valence-quark domain. This study should stimulate improved analyses of existing data and motivate new experiments sensitive to all $$\pi $$ and K DFs. With little known empirically about the structure of the Standard Model’s (pseudo-) Nambu-Goldstone modes and analyses of existing, limited data being controversial, it is likely that new generation experiments at upgraded and anticipated facilities will provide the information needed to resolve the puzzles and complete the picture of these complex bound states.

Quark Transverse Parton Distribution at the Next-to-Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order

Abstract: We report a calculation of the perturbative matching coefficients for the transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions for quark at the next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD, which involves calculation of nonstandard Feynman integrals with rapidity divergence. We introduce a set of generalized integration-by-parts equations, which allows an algorithmic evaluation of such integrals using the machinery of modern Feynman integral calculation.

Parton Distributions in Nucleons and Nuclei

Abstract: We review the current status of parton distribution function (PDF) determinations for unpolarized and longitudinally polarized protons and for unpolarized nuclei, which are probed by high-energy ha...

Empirical Consequences of Emergent Mass

Abstract: The Lagrangian that defines quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the strong interaction piece of the Standard Model, appears very simple. Nevertheless, it is responsible for an astonishing array of high-level phenomena with enormous apparent complexity, e.g., the existence, number and structure of atomic nuclei. The source of all these things can be traced to emergent mass, which might itself be QCD’s self-stabilising mechanism. A background to this perspective is provided, presenting, inter alia, a discussion of the gluon mass and QCD’s process-independent effective charge and highlighting an array of observable expressions of emergent mass, ranging from its manifestations in pion parton distributions to those in nucleon electromagnetic form factors.

MiNNLO$_{\text{PS}}$: A new method to match NNLO QCD to parton showers

Abstract: We present a novel method to combine QCD calculations at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) with parton shower (PS) simulations, that can be applied to the production of heavy systems in hadronic collisions, such as colour singlets or a $$ t\overline{t} $$ pair. The NNLO corrections are included by connecting the MiNLO′ method with transverse- momentum resummation, and they are calculated at generation time without any additional reweighting, making the algorithm considerably efficient. Moreover, the combination of different jet multiplicities does not require any unphysical merging scale, and the matching preserves the structure of the leading logarithmic corrections of the Monte Carlo simulation for parton showers ordered in transverse momentum. We present proof-of-concept applications to hadronic Higgs production and the Drell-Yan process at the LHC.

Parton Physics on a Quantum Computer

Abstract: Parton distribution functions and hadronic tensors may be computed on a universal quantum computer without many of the complexities that apply to Euclidean lattice calculations. We detail algorithms for computing predictions of parton distribution functions and the hadronic tensor in the Thirring model. Their generalization to QCD is discussed with the conclusion that the parton distribution function is best obtained by fitting the hadronic tensor rather than direct calculation. As a side effect of this method, we find that lepton-hadron cross sections may be computed relatively cheaply. Finally, we estimate the computational cost of performing such a calculation on a digital quantum computer, including the cost of state preparation for physically relevant parameters.

Parton-hadron-quantum-molecular dynamics: A novel microscopic n -body transport approach for heavy-ion collisions, dynamical cluster formation, and hypernuclei production

Abstract: We present the novel microscopic n-body dynamical transport approach PHQMD (Parton-Hadron-Quantum-Molecular-Dynamics) for the description of particle production and cluster formation in heavy-ion reactions at relativistic energies. The PHQMD extends the established PHSD (Parton-Hadron-String-Dynamics) transport approach by replacing the mean-field by density dependent two body interactions in a similar way as in the Quantum Molecular Dynamics (QMD) models. This allows for the calculation of the time evolution of the n-body Wigner density and therefore for a dynamical description of cluster and hypernuclei formation. The clusters are identified with the MST (Minimum Spanning Tree) or the SACA ('Simulated Annealing Cluster Algorithm') algorithm which - by regrouping the nucleons in single nucleons and noninteracting clusters - generates the most bound configuration of nucleons and clusters. Collisions among particles in PHQMD are treated in the same way as in PHSD. The PHQMD approach can be used in different modes for the hadron propagation: the mean-field based PHSD mode and the QMD mode based on different density dependent two-body potentials between the nucleons which correspond to the different equations-of-state (EoS). This allows to study the sensitivity of observables on the different descriptions of the potential interactions among nucleons. Here we present the first PHQMD results for general 'bulk' observables such as rapidity distributions and transverse mass spectra for hadrons ($\pi, K, \bar K, p, \bar p, \Lambda, \bar \Lambda$) from SIS to RHIC energies, as well as for cluster production, including hypernuclei.

Hadronic structure in high-energy collisions

Abstract: Parton distribution functions (PDFs) describe the structure of hadrons as composed of quarks and gluons. They are needed to make predictions for short-distance processes in high-energy collisions and are determined by fitting to cross-section data. Definitions of the PDFs and their relations to high-energy cross sections are reviewed. The focus is on the PDFs in protons, but PDFs in nuclei are also discussed. The standard statistical treatment needed to fit the PDFs to data using the Hessian method is reviewed in some detail. Tests are discussed that critically examine whether the needed assumptions are indeed valid. Also presented are some ideas of what one can do in case tests indicate that the assumptions fail.

Hadronization and Charm-Hadron Ratios in Heavy-Ion Collisions.

Abstract: Understanding the hadronization of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) remains a challenging problem in the study of strong-interaction matter as produced in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions (URHICs). The large mass of heavy quarks renders them excellent tracers of the color neutralization process of the QGP when they convert into various heavy-flavor (HF) hadrons. We develop a 4-momentum conserving recombination model for HF mesons and baryons that recovers the thermal and chemical equilibrium limits and accounts for space-momentum correlations (SMCs) of heavy quarks with partons of the hydrodynamically expanding QGP, thereby resolving a long-standing problem in quark coalescence models. The SMCs enhance the recombination of fast-moving heavy quarks with high-flow thermal quarks in the outer regions of the fireball. We also improve the hadrochemistry with "missing" charm-baryon states, previously found to describe the large Λ_{c}/D^{0} ratio observed in proton-proton collisions. Both SMCs and hadrochemistry, as part of our HF hydro-Langevin-recombination model for the strongly coupled QGP, importantly figure in the description of recent data for the Λ_{c}/D^{0} ratio and D-meson elliptic flow in URHICs.

Pion and kaon parton distribution functions from basis light front quantization and QCD evolution

Abstract: We investigate the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the pion and the kaon by combining quantum chromodynamics (QCD) evolution with the basis light front quantization. The initial PDFs result from the light front wave functions obtained by diagonalizing the effective Hamiltonian consisting of the holographic QCD confinement potential, a complementary longitudinal confinement potential, and the color-singlet Nambu--Jona-Lasinio interactions. The valence-quark PDF of the pion, after QCD evolution, is consistent with the result from the E-0615 experiment at Fermilab. Meanwhile, the pion structure function calculated from the PDFs agrees with the ZEUS and the H1 experiments at DESY-HERA for large $x$. Additionally, the ratio of the up quark PDF of the kaon to that of the pion is in agreement with the NA-003 experiment at CERN. We also present the cross section for the pion-nucleus induced Drell-Yan process with the obtained pion PDFs supplemented by the PDFs of the target nuclei.

nNNPDF2.0: quark flavor separation in nuclei from LHC data

Abstract: We present a model-independent determination of the nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDFs) using machine learning methods and Monte Carlo techniques based on the NNPDF framework. The neutral-current deep-inelastic nuclear structure functions used in our previous analysis, nNNPDF1.0, are complemented by inclusive and charm-tagged cross-sections from charged-current scattering. Furthermore, we include all available measurements of W and Z leptonic rapidity distributions in proton-lead collisions from ATLAS and CMS at $$ \sqrt{s} $$ = 5.02 TeV and 8.16 TeV. The resulting nPDF determination, nNNPDF2.0, achieves a good description of all datasets. In addition to quantifying the nuclear modifications affecting individual quarks and antiquarks, we examine the implications for strangeness, assess the role that the momentum and valence sum rules play in nPDF extractions, and present predictions for representative phenomenological applications. Our results, made available via the LHAPDF library, highlight the potential of high-energy collider measurements to probe nuclear dynamics in a robust manner.

Building a consistent parton shower

Abstract: Modern parton showers are built using one of two models: dipole showers or angular ordered showers. Both have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Dipole showers correctly account for wide-angle, soft gluon emissions and track the leading flows in QCD colour charge but they are known to mishandle partonic recoil. Angular ordered showers keep better track of partonic recoil and correctly include large amounts of wide-angle, soft physics but azimuthal averaging means they are known to mishandle some correlations. In this paper, we derive both approaches from the same starting point; linking our under- standing of the two showers. This insight allows us to construct a new dipole shower that has all the strengths of a standard dipole shower together with the collinear evolution of an angular-ordered shower. We show that this new approach corrects the next-to-leading- log errors previously observed in parton showers and improves their sub-leading-colour accuracy.

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox and Quantum Entanglement at Subnucleonic Scales.

Abstract: In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) formulated an apparent paradox of quantum theory [Phys. Rev. 47, 777 (1935)PHRVAO0031-899X10.1103/PhysRev.47.777]. They considered two quantum systems that were initially allowed to interact and were then later separated. A measurement of a physical observable performed on one system then had to have an immediate effect on the conjugate observable in the other system-even if the systems were causally disconnected. The authors viewed this as a clear indication of the inconsistency of quantum mechanics. In the parton model of the nucleon formulated by Bjorken, Feynman, and Gribov, the partons (quarks and gluons) are viewed by an external hard probe as independent. The standard argument is that, inside the nucleon boosted to an infinite-momentum frame, the parton probed by a virtual photon with virtuality Q is causally disconnected from the rest of the nucleon during the hard interaction. Yet, the parton and the rest of the nucleon have to form a color-singlet state due to color confinement and so have to be in strongly correlated quantum states-we thus encounter the EPR paradox at the subnucleonic scale. In this Letter, we propose a resolution of this paradox based on the quantum entanglement of partons. We devise an experimental test of entanglement and carry it out using data on proton-proton collisions from the Large Hadron Collider. Our results provide a strong direct indication of quantum entanglement at subnucleonic scales.

Novel tools and observables for jet physics in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract: Studies of fully-reconstructed jets in heavy-ion collisions aim at extracting thermodynamical and transport properties of hot and dense QCD matter. Recently, a plethora of new jet substructure observables have been theoretically and experimentally developed that provide novel precise insights on the modifications of the parton radiation pattern induced by a QCD medium. This report, summarizing the main lines of discussion at the 5th Heavy Ion Jet Workshop and CERN TH institute "Novel tools and observables for jet physics in heavy-ion collisions" in 2017, presents a first attempt at outlining a strategy for isolating and identifying the relevant physical processes that are responsible for the observed medium-induced jet modifications. These studies combine theory insights, based on the Lund parton splitting map, with sophisticated jet reconstruction techniques, including grooming and background subtraction algorithms. (Less)

Diffractive photoproduction of J /ψ and ϒ using holographic QCD: Gravitational form factors and GPD of gluons in the proton

Abstract: We present a holographic analysis of diffractive photoproducton of charmonium $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ and upsilonium $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}$ on a proton, considered as a bulk Dirac fermion, for all ranges of $\sqrt{s}$, i.e., from near threshold to very high energy. Using the bulk wave functions of the proton and vector mesons, within holographic QCD, and employing Witten diagrams in the bulk, we compute the diffractive photoproduction amplitude of $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}$. The holographic amplitude shows elements of the strictures of vector meson dominance. It is dominated by the exchange of a massive graviton or ${2}^{++}$ glueball resonances near threshold, and its higher spin-j counterparts that reggeize at higher energies. Both the differential and total cross sections are controlled by the gravitational form factor $A(t)$, and compare well to the recent results reported by the GlueX Collaboration near threshold and the world data at large $\sqrt{s}$. The holographic gravitational form factors, including the D-term, which is due to the exchange of massive spin-0 glueballs, are in good agreement with lattice simulations. We use it to extract the holographic pressure and shear forces inside the proton. Finally, using a pertinent integral representation of the holographic gravitational form factor $A(t)$ near threshold, and its Pomeron counterpart way above threshold, we extract the generalized parton distribution of gluons inside the proton at different resolutions.

Valence parton distribution of the pion from lattice QCD: Approaching the continuum limit

Abstract: We present a high-statistics lattice QCD determination of the valence parton distribution function (PDF) of the pion, with a mass of 300 MeV, using two very fine lattice spacings of $a=0.06$ fm and 0.04 fm. We reconstruct the $x$-dependent PDF, as well as infer the first few even moments of the PDF using leading-twist 1-loop perturbative matching framework. Our analyses use both RI-MOM and ratio-based schemes to renormalize the equal-time bi-local quark-bilinear matrix elements of pions boosted up to 2.4 GeV momenta. We use various model-independent and model-dependent analyses to infer the large-$x$ behavior of the valence PDF. We also present technical studies on lattice spacing and higher-twist corrections present in the boosted pion matrix elements.

DYTurbo: fast predictions for Drell–Yan processes

Abstract: Drell–Yan lepton pair production processes are extremely important for standard model (SM) precision tests and for beyond the SM searches at hadron colliders. Fast and accurate predictions are essential to enable the best use of the precision measurements of these processes; they are used for parton density fits, for the extraction of fundamental parameters of the SM, and for the estimation of background processes in searches. This paper describes a new numerical program, DYTurbo, for the calculation of the QCD transverse-momentum resummation of Drell–Yan cross sections up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy combined with the fixed-order results at next-to-next-to-leading order ($$\mathcal {O}(\alpha _{\mathrm {S}}^2)$$), including the full kinematical dependence of the decaying lepton pair with the corresponding spin correlations and the finite-width effects. The DYTurbo program is an improved reimplementation of the DYqT, DYRes and DYNNLO programs, which provides fast and numerically precise predictions through the factorisation of the cross section into production and decay variables, and the usage of quadrature rules based on interpolating functions for the integration over kinematic variables.

Improved opacity expansion for medium-induced parton splitting

Abstract: We present a new expansion scheme to compute the rate for parton splittings in dense and finite QCD media. In contrast to the standard opacity expansion, our expansion is performed around the harmonic oscillator whose characteristic frequency depends on the typical transverse momentum scale generated in the splitting. The first two orders account for the high frequency regime that is dominated by single hard scatterings together with the regime of multiple soft scatterings at low frequency. This provides the tools to go beyond the leading logarithmic approximation and compare to the full numerical solution to the corresponding Schrodinger equation across a wide range of gluon frequencies. We investigate the sensitivity of our results to varying the separation scale that defines the leading order. Finally, the application to Monte Carlo event generators is discussed.

Review of proton and nuclear shape fluctuations at high energy.

Abstract: Determining the inner structure of protons and nuclei in terms of their fundamental constituents has been one of the main tasks of high energy nuclear and particle physics experiments. This quest started as a mapping of the (average) parton densities as a function of longitudinal momentum fraction and resolution scale. Recently, the field has progressed to more differential imaging, where one important development is the description of the event-by-event quantum fluctuations in the wave function of the colliding hadron. In this review, recent developments on the extraction of proton and nuclear transverse geometry with event-by-event fluctuations from collider experiments at high energy is presented. The importance of this fundamentally interesting physics in other collider experiments like in studies of the properties of the quark gluon plasma is also illustrated.

Parton Distribution Functions from Ioffe time Pseudodistributions from Lattice Calculations: Approaching the Physical Point

Abstract: We present results for the unpolarized parton distribution function of the nucleon computed in lattice QCD at the physical pion mass. This is the first study of its kind employing the method of Ioffe time pseudodistributions. Beyond the reconstruction of the Bjorken-x dependence, we also extract the lowest moments of the distribution function using the small Ioffe time expansion of the Ioffe time pseudodistribution. We compare our findings with the pertinent phenomenological determinations.

The strangest proton

Abstract: We present an improved determination of the strange quark and antiquark parton distribution functions of the proton by means of a global QCD analysis that takes into account a comprehensive set of strangeness-sensitive measurements: charm-tagged cross sections for fixed-target neutrino–nucleus deep-inelastic scattering, and cross sections for inclusive gauge-boson production and W-boson production in association with light jets or charm quarks at hadron colliders. Our analysis is accurate to next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative QCD where available, and specifically includes charm-quark mass corrections to neutrino–nucleus structure functions. We find that a good overall description of the input dataset can be achieved and that a strangeness moderately suppressed in comparison to the rest of the light sea quarks is strongly favored by the global analysis.

A QCD analysis of LHCb D-meson data in p+Pb collisions

Abstract: We scrutinize the recent LHCb data for D0-meson production in p+Pb collisions within a next-to-leading order QCD framework. Our calculations are performed in the SACOT-mT variant of the general-mass variable-flavour-number scheme (GM-VFNS), which has previously been shown to provide a realistic description of the LHC p+p data. Using the EPPS16 and nCTEQ15 nuclear parton distribution functions (PDFs) we show that a very good agreement is obtained also in the p+Pb case both for cross sections and nuclear modification ratios in the wide rapidity range covered by the LHCb data. Encouraged by the good correspondence, we quantify the impact of these data on the nuclear PDFs by the Hessian reweighting technique. We find compelling direct evidence of gluon shadowing at small momentum fractions x, with no signs of parton dynamics beyond the collinear factorization. We also compare our theoretical framework to a fixed-order calculation supplemented with a parton shower. While the two frameworks differ in the absolute cross sections, these differences largely cancel in the nuclear modification ratios. Thus, the constraints for nuclear PDFs appear solid.