https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14829-z
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Deep-inelastic scattering at TeV energies with LHC muons
1
Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin-Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-859, Campinas, SP, Brazil
2
Nikhef Theory Group, Science Park 105, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4
Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Postal Code 354, 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
5
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
6
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, 92697-4575, Irvine, CA, USA
Received:
20
June
2025
Accepted:
19
September
2025
Published online:
6
October
2025
The LHC far-forward experiments FASER and SND@LHC have pioneered the detection of TeV-energy neutrinos produced in hard-scattering proton-proton collisions at the LHC. In addition to neutrinos, an intense flux of TeV-energy muons reaches these detectors, representing a dominant background for both neutrino studies and beyond the Standard Model searches. Here we demonstrate that this forward muon flux enables a comprehensive neutral-current deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) program at FASER with a strong kinematical overlap with the Electron Ion Collider. For the Run 3 luminosity of 
fb
more than 
inclusive muon DIS events, of which up to 
from charm production, are expected at FASER
As a representative application, we demonstrate the sensitivity of muon DIS at FASER
to probe the (intrinsic) charm content of the proton at large-x. We also provide predictions for event yields of muon DIS for future FASER runs and for the proposed Forward Physics Facility.
© The Author(s) 2025
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Funded by SCOAP3.
