Determine the time scale governing nucleon interaction exclusivity in p–A collisions

Determine what clock or physical time scale governs the interval during which a nucleon can interact with only one other nucleon at a time within an exclusivity-constrained Glauber model of proton–nucleus collisions.

Background

The paper discusses the conventional Glauber-model treatment of proton–lead and other proton–nucleus collisions, arguing that it unjustifiably permits one projectile nucleon to interact simultaneously with multiple target nucleons. Imposing an exclusivity constraint would restrict a nucleon to one interaction at a time and could improve the collision-geometry model.

However, implementing that constraint requires identifying the physical clock that defines when a nucleon becomes available for another interaction. The paper leaves this time scale unspecified and presents it as a new unresolved question relevant to the modeling of collision geometry and subsequent interpretations of jet production and nuclear modification.