Neutral pion and η meson production in proton–proton collisions at √s = 0.9 TeV and √s = 7 TeV

The first measurements of the invariant differential cross sections of inclusive π0 and η meson production at mid-rapidity in proton–proton collisions at √s=0.9 TeV and √s=7 TeV are reported. The π0 measurement covers the ranges 0.4<pT<7 GeV/c and 0.3<pT<25 GeV/c for these two energies, respectively. The production of η mesons was measured at √s=7 TeV in the range 0.4<pT<15 GeV/c. Next-to-Leading Order perturbative QCD calculations, which are consistent with the π0 spectrum at √s=0.9 TeV, overestimate those of π0 and η mesons at √s=7 TeV, but agree with the measured η/π0 ratio at √s=7 TeV .