Large rapidity gaps in proton–nucleus interaction

Abstract We analyse the cross-section of events with Large Rapidity Gaps observed in proton–lead collisions by the CMS Collaboration ( arXiv:2301.07630 ). The role of the transverse size of elementary pN amplitude is discussed. We emphasize that the cross-section of incoming proton dissociation caused by the photon radiated off the lead ion is close to the value of $$d\sigma /d\Delta \eta ^F$$ d σ / d Δ η F measured by the CMS, and it is not clear why there is no room in the data for the Pomeron-induced contribution