Inclusive photon production at forward rapidities in proton–proton collisions at $ \sqrt$ s = 0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV

The multiplicity and pseudorapidity distribu- tions of inclusive photons have been measured at forward rapidities (2.3 < η < 3.9) in proton–proton collisions at three center-of-mass energies, √s = 0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV using the ALICE detector. It is observed that the increase in the average photon multiplicity as a function of beam energy is compatible with both a logarithmic and a power-law dependence. The relative increase in average photon multi- plicity produced in inelastic pp collisions at 2.76 and 7 TeV center-of-mass energies with respect to 0.9 TeV are 37.2 ± 0.3% (stat) ± 8.8% (sys) and 61.2 ± 0.3% (stat) ± 7.6% (sys), respectively. The photon multiplicity distributions for all center-of-mass energies are well described by negative binomial distributions. The multiplicity distributions are also presented in terms of KNO variables. The results are com- pared to model predictions, which are found in general to underestimate the data at large photon multiplicities, in par- ticular at the highest center-of-mass energy. Limiting frag- mentation behavior of photons has been explored with the data, but is not observed in the measured pseudorapidity range.