Diffractive vector meson production at large momentum transfer

The diffractive process γp→V+X (whereV is a vector meson andX results from the dissociation of the proton) is studied. In particular, we consider the region of large momentum transfer (i.e. |t| ?Λ _QCD ² ) and large centre-of-mass (CM) energy,s. The asymptotic (s→∞,s/|t|?1) behaviour is derived from the BFKL equation and compared to that which is obtained in the Born approximation (two-gluon exchange). We also calculate the corrections to the Born graphs by iterating the BFKL kernel numerically. Improved convergence of the BFKL series is found by summing the logarithms which occur when an exchanged gluon goes nearly on shell. Importantly, we find evidence that the asymptotic solution to the BFKL equation is inappropriate over most of the HERA range and we provide more realistic predictions for the cross section. The predicted cross section is not too small and can be measured at HERA, up to momentum transfers |t|≈10 GeV².     

Exclusive meson production at HERMES

Hard exclusive production of mesons in deep-inelastic scattering allows one to probe the so-far unknown Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) of the nucleon. The HERMES experiment has measured several different observables in exclusive meson production by scattering the 27.6GeV HERA lepton beam off an internal fixed gaseous target. Recent results on exclusive π ⁺, ρ ⁰ and pion pair production will be presented.     

Exclusive meson production at HERMES

The exclusive electroproduction of pseudoscalar and vector mesons was studied with the HERMES spectrometer at the DESY laboratory by scattering 27.6 GeV positron and electron beams off a transversely polarized hydrogen target.The results are compared to calculations based on generalized parton distributions,some of which are sensitive to the contribution of the total angular momentum of the quarks to the proton spin.     

Exclusive meson production at HERMES

The exclusive electroproduction of pseudoscalar and vector mesons was studied with the HERMES spectrometer at the DESY laboratory by scattering 27.6 GeV positron and electron beams off a transversely polarized hydrogen target.The results are compared to calculations based on generalized parton distributions,some of which are sensitive to the contribution of the total angular momentum of the quarks to the proton spin.     

Diffractive vector meson production at HERA: From soft to hard QCD

Experimental results from HERA on diffractive vector meson production and their theoretical interpretation within microscopic QCD are reviewed with an emphasis on the BFKL color dipole and k _T -factorization approaches. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Diffractive heavy vector meson production from the BFKL equation

Diffractive heavy vector meson photoproduction accompanied by proton dissociation is studied for arbitrary momentum transfer. The process is described by the non-forward BFKL equation, for which a complete analytical solution is found, giving the scattering amplitude. The impact of non-leading corrections to the BFKL equation is also analysed. Results are compared to the HERA data on production. Received: 2 July 2002 / Revised version: 29 August 2002 / Published online: 18 October 2002     

Diffractive vector meson production at large t in coherent hadronic interactions at CERN LHC

The diffractive vector meson photoproduction with hadron dissociation in coherent hadron-hadron interactions at LHC energies is studied assuming that the color singlet t-channel exchange carries large momentum transfer. We estimate the rapidity distribution and total cross-section for the processes pp → pVX and PbPb → PbVX (V = ρ or ϒ considering the non-forward solution of the BFKL equation at high energy and large momentum transfer. Our results indicate that the experimental identification of these processes can be feasible at the LHC.     

Axial vector meson production

Recently available differential cross section and density matrix information on π^?p → B^?p at 4 GeV/c are successfully described in terms of t channel exchanges and s channel absorptive effects. The s channel helicity amplitude which is dominant at small |t| (zero net helicity flip ω exchange) is found to have a zero at ?t = 0.2 GeV². SU(3) and higher symmetries are used to predict cross sections for further axial vector meson production processes, in particular non-diffractive A₁ production. The importance of these processes with regard to Regge phenomenology and meson spectroscopy is emphasized.     

Diffractive neutrino production of vector mesons

Using the diffractive vector dominance, we predict an event rate for charged vector mesons which is within the experimental bounds measured at Fermilab. Due to the very limited statistics no firm conclusion can be drawn on the structure of the neutral current. Similar estimations have been done for the Gargamelle experiment.     

Diffractive meson production from virtual photons with odd charge-parity exchange

We calculate the cross section of diffractive charge-parity neutral meson production in virtual photon proton collision at high energies. Due to the opposite -parities of photon and meson () this process probes the -channel odderon exchange which is described here as noninteracting three–gluon exchange. Estimates for the cross section of inelastic diffractive process are presented. The total cross section of diffractive meson photoproduction is found to be 47 pb. The cross sections for the diffractive production of light mesons () in collisions are of the same order if the photon virtuality is . Received: 30 July 1997     

Diffractive elastic neutrino production of vector mesons

The diffractive elastic neutrino production of vector mesons has been studied in detail. The results of this analysis encourage experimental effort which may provide useful information concerning the nature of neutral currents and of the recently discovered new particles.     

The Pomeron-f identity and vector meson production

The Pomeron-f identity scheme proposed by Chew and Rosenzweig is shown to fail badly when compared to vector meson production data. In contrast, a standard exchange degenerate ωf model is satisfactory.     

A study of inclusive vector meson production

Data are presented on the reactions π⁺n → ?⁰+X and $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{p}\text{→}\text{K}{}^1\text{0}\text{(890)+}\text{X}\text{at 6.0}\text{and}\text{7.3}\text{GeV}\text{/c}$, respectively. Comparisons are made with related reactions at higher energies.     

Diffractive production of vector mesons in lepton-nucleon reactions

We calculate cross sections for the production of vector mesons V in reactions if ? + N → ?' + V + N, ?, ?' = ν, e, μ, taking into account all presently known information from electroproduction of ?'s. This leads to considerable differences in results from previous calculations, often more than an order of magnitude. The results for the ? are then largely a translation of electroproduction data into ν predictions and they will provide a direct test of the relation of weak and electromagnetic currents. The y or Q² distributions for the ? are instructive. The prediction for the A₁ provides a direct test of the existence of the A₁ and of whether vector and axial vector currents materialize into particles in the same way. The detection of a B meson would provide direct evidence for second-class currents and a measurement of their strength. We estimate all F¹ production will account for at most 2% of the total ν cross section at FNAL energies, which must be multiplied by the muon semi-leptonic branching ratio (and possibly a factor of 2 for an axial vector F¹) to calculate its contribution to the dimuon event rate.     

Double vector meson production from the BFKL equation

The double vector meson production in two-photon collisions is addressed assuming that the color singlet t-channel exchange carries large momentum transfer. We consider the non-forward solution of the BFKL equation at high energy and large momentum transfer and estimate the total and differential cross section for the process , where V₁ and V₂ can be any two vector mesons ( ). A comparison between our predictions and previous theoretical results obtained at Born level or assuming the pomeron-exchange factorization relations is presented. Our results demonstrate that the BFKL dynamics implies an enhancement of the cross sections. Predictions for the future linear colliders (TESLA, CLIC and ILC) are given. Received: 17 June 2005, Revised: 1 August 2005, Published online: 6 October 2005 PACS: 12.38.Aw, 13.85.Lg, 13.85.Ni