Production of $\Lambda_c$ baryons at the LHC within the $k_T$-factorization approach and independent parton fragmentation picture

Understand

We calculate cross section for production of $D$ mesons and $\Lambda_c$ baryons in proton-proton collisions at the LHC.

• The cross section for production of $c \bar c$ pairs is calculated within $k_T$-factorization approach with the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin unintegrated gluon distributions obtained on the basis of modern collinear gluon distribution functions.
• We show that our approach well describes the $D^0$, $D^+$ and $D_s$ experimental data.
• We try to understand recent ALICE and LHCb data for $\Lambda_c$ production with the $c \to \Lambda_c$ independent parton fragmentation approach.