Largep cT cross-section differences as tests of quark-gluon scattering

It is shown that certain cross-section differences, such as \(d\sigma (p\bar p \to CX) - d\sigma (p\bar p \to \bar CX)\) or \(d\sigma (pp \to CX) - d\sigma (pp \to \bar CX)\) provide a more direct and stringent test of the QCD partonic picture than do the individual cross-sections. In particular they are very sensitive to quark-gluon scattering and to the three-gluon vertex. They also provide a severe test of the evolution of the distribution functions into a new régime ofQ ². We carry out detailed numerical studies for π andK production, at ISR and collider energies. We find very good agreement with the recent ISR data onpp→π^± x. The cross-section differences for \(p\bar p\) collisions are predicted to be also large and measurable with significant accuracy.