In addition to the inclusive cross sections discussed within the QCD-parton model, in the regime of multiple parton interactions, different and more exclusive cross sections become experimentally viable and may be suitably measured. Indeed, in its study of double parton collisions, the quantity measured by the CDF was an “exclusive” rather than an inclusive cross section. The nonperturbative input to the “exclusive” cross sections is different with respect to the nonperturbative input of the inclusive cross sections and involves correlation terms of the hadron structure already at the level of single parton collisions. The matter is discussed in details keeping explicitly into account the effects of double and of triple parton collisions.

• Received 20 January 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.79.074013