First observation of ultra-long-range azimuthal correlations in low multiplicity pp and p-Pb collisions at the LHC

Abstract: This study presents the first observation of ultra-long-range two-particle azimuthal correlations with pseudorapidity separation of ($|\Delta \eta| > 5.0$) in proton-proton (pp) and ($|\Delta \eta| > 6.5$) in proton-lead (p-Pb) collisions at the LHC, down to and below the minimum-bias multiplicity. Two-particle correlation coefficients (${V}_{2\Delta}$) are measured after removing non-flow (jets and resonance decays) contributions using the template-fit method across various multiplicity classes, providing novel insights into the origin of long-range correlations in small systems. Comparisons with the 3D-Glauber + MUSIC + UrQMD hydrodynamic model reveal significant discrepancies at low multiplicities, indicating possible dynamics beyond typical hydrodynamic behavior. Initial-state models based on the Color Glass Condensate framework generate only short-range correlations, while PYTHIA simulations implemented with the string-shoving mechanism also fail to describe these ultra-long-range correlations. The results challenge existing paradigms and question the underlying mechanisms in low-multiplicity pp and p-Pb collisions. The findings impose significant constraints on models describing collective phenomena in small collision systems and advance the understanding of origin of long-range correlations at Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energies.