Assuming the possible existence of an intrinsic (or valencelike) heavy quark component in the proton distribution functions, we analyze the vector boson $Z/W$ production, accompanied by heavy-flavor jets, in $pp$ collisions at the LHC energies. We present theoretical predictions for differential cross sections of such processes and demonstrate their large sensitivity to parton distribution functions including an intrinsic charm component to the proton in some kinematical regions. Ratio measurements of the $Z+$ heavy-flavor jets differential cross sections over the corresponding spectra in $W+$ heavy jets events are proposed. These ratios are studied as a function of two different observables that maximize their sensitivity to the intrinsic charm component of the proton: the transverse momentum of the leading heavy-flavor jet and the longitudinal momentum fraction $x_F^Q$ of this jet. Such measurements look very promising for the LHC experiments because they can supply unique information about the intrinsic charm hypothesis.

• Received 14 October 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.92.034014