Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) carry information on the internal structure of hadrons such as the angular momentum of quarks and gluons, or their spacelike distribution. They can be experimentally studied in exclusive experiments with hadrons, i.e. processes in which all initial and final states are measured. The tool that creates the necessary bridge between the theoretical predictions and the experiments is the collinear factorization. It allows disentangling perturbatively computable parts of the amplitude, which describes interactions of quarks and gluons with the external particles, from the non-perturbative quantities, which are identified as GPDs.
In this work, I extend the theoretical analysis of the process photoproduction of photon pairs on a proton to the next-to-leading order in perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics within the framework of collinear factorization. I give the proof that all collinear divergences which arise in one-loop computations cancel at the level of the amplitude. This result enlarges the family of reactions, which can be studied using the collinear factorization by processes of the type $2 \rightarrow 3$, which have not been previously studied within this theoretical framework beyond the leading QCD order. Furthermore, I compute the full form of the amplitude of the discussed process at the one-loop order. That improves the accuracy of theoretical predictions for this experiment, which may be used for planning future experiments in JLAB or EIC.
We develop the analysis of diphoton exclusive photoproduction in the kinematics where a collinear QCD factorization framework applies, namely nearly forward large invariant mass diphoton production. We work at the leading twist level and at the next-to-leading order (NLO) in the strong coupling constant $α_S$. We compare our predictions for cross-sections with Born order calculations for the experimental conditions accessible to JLab experiments and show the interesting sensitivity of our results to various models of generalized parton distributions (GPDs). The NLO corrections are rather large…
We calculate large mass diphoton exclusive photoproduction in the framework of collinear QCD factorization at next to leading order in αs and at leading twist. Collinear divergences of the coefficient function are absorbed by the evolution of the generalized parton distributions (GPDs). This result enlarges the existing factorization proofs to 2 -> 3 processes, opening new reactions to a trustable extraction of GPDs.
We calculate in the framework of collinear factorization the amplitude for the photoproduction of a near forward large mass diphoton at leading twist and next to leading order (NLO) in $α_s$. We demonstrate the validity of factorization at this order, which was never achieved for such a reaction where the coefficient function describes a $2 \to 3$ hard process. While the Born order amplitude was purely imaginary and only probed the $x=\pm ξ$ cross-over line of generalized parton distributions (GPD) domain, the NLO result contains both a real and an imaginary part and probes the whole domain of…
The electromagnetic probe has proven to be a very efficient way to access the $3-$dimensional structure of the nucleon, particularly thanks to the exclusive Compton processes. We explore the hard photoproduction of a large invariant mass diphoton in the kinematical regime where the diphoton is nearly forward and its invariant mass is the hard scale enabling to factorize the scattering amplitude in terms of generalized parton distributions. This amplitude has a very peculiar and interesting analytic structure. We calculate unpolarized cross sections and the angular asymmetry triggered by a line…
Recent small-t ZEUS data for exclusive rho photoproduction are in excellent agreement with exchange of the classical soft pomeron with slope alpha'=0.25 GeV^{-2}. Adding in a flavour-blind hard-pomeron contribution, whose magnitude is calculated from the data for exclusive J/psi photoproduction, gives a good fit also to the ZEUS data for rho photoproduction at larger values of t, and to phi photoproduction.
{We investigate the photoproduction process $ p γ\rightarrow Λ_{c}^{+} \overline{D^{0}}$ within the handbag approach, which we assume to be the dominant mechanism at energies well above the production threshold and in the forward scattering hemisphere.
We report on a detailed investigation of exclusive J/psi production in proton--proton and proton-antiproton collisions. Predictions for Tevatron and LHC energies are included.
Exclusive photoproduction of heavy quarkonia at HERA is analyzed in the framework of the Regge-eikonal approach together with the nonrelativistic bound state formalism. Total and differential cross-sections for the process $γ+p\to (Q\bar{Q})_{1S}+p$ are calculated. The model predicts cross-sections of Exclusive Double Diffractive Events (EDDE) at TeVatron and LHC.
We focus on exclusive production of neutral technipion $\tilde π^0$ in $pp$ collisions at the LHC, i.e. on $p p \to p p \tilde π^0$ reaction. The dependence of the cross section on parameters of recently proposed vector-like Technicolor model is studied. Characteristic features of the differential distributions are discussed. For not too large technipion masses the diphoton decay channel has the dominant branching fraction. This is also the main reason for an enhanced production of neutral technipions in $γγ$-fusion reaction. We discuss potential backgrounds of the QCD and QED origin to the $p…
The amplitude for photoproduction gamma p -> Υp is calculated in a pQCD k_\perp-factorization approach. The total cross section for diffractive Υ's is compared to recent HERA data. The amplitude is used to predict the cross section for exclusive ppbar \to ppbar Υ(1S,2S) process in hadronic reactions at Tevatron energies. We also included absorption effects.
The cross section for exclusive $Υ$ ultraperipheral photoproduction at present and future colliders is determined using the low $x$ gluon PDF extracted from an analysis of exclusive $J/ψ$ measurements performed at HERA and the LHC. Predictions are given at next-to-leading order in collinear factorisation over a wide $γp$ centre-of-mass energy range, calculated assuming the non-relativistic approximation for the $Υ$ wave function, and with skewing corrections incorporated.
Protons and antiprotons at collider energies are a source of high energy Weizsaecker--Williams photons. This opens up a possibility to study at the LHC exclusive photoproduction of heavy vector mesons at energies much larger than possible at the HERA accelerator. We present selected results of our detailed studies of various distributions for the production of heavy quarkonia (e.g. rapidity, transverse momenta, azimuthal angles). We give predictions for LHC energies. Our calculations are based on modelling the photoproduction amplitudes in a k_\perp-factorisation approach which is checked agai…
We present predictions for differential cross sections for the reaction $γp \to Φp$ and give an outlook to which extent our calculations may be generalized to the photoproduction of $J/Ψ$ mesons. Our results are obtained within perturbative QCD treating the proton as a quark-diquark system.
A model based on a dipole Pomeron framework for vector meson exclusive photoproduction by real and virtual photons shows very good agreement with the experimental data. The model does not violate unitarity constrains and describes in a universal manner all the available data for $ρ$, $ω$, $ϕ$, $J/ψ$ and $Υ$ vector meson photoproduction in the region of energies $1.7\le W \le 250 GeV$ and photon virtualities $0 \le Q^2 \le 35 GeV^2$.
In this work we investigate the inclusive and exclusive photoproduction of dileptons, which is relevant for the physics programme to be studied in the proposed electron-proton collider, the LHeC. In the inclusive case, the process is sensitive to the parton distribution functions in the photon whereas the exclusive channel is connected to the small-$x$ QCD dynamics. For the latter, we investigate the role played by saturation physics at a very high energy scenario. The estimates for production cross sections and the number of events are presented.
We present predictions for the exclusive photoproduction of $Φ$-meson on Proton at large tranfer, where we use a quark-diquark structure model for the proton. Extrapolation from our results to lower tranfers is comparable in magnitude with available data in that range. This may support the diquark model in its ability to provide, for that process, an appropriate link between diffractive physics at low transfer and the standard semi-perturbative approach of hard exclusive processes at very large tranfer, where the proton recovers its three-quark structure.
The exclusive photoproduction of lepton pairs on nucleon and nucleus target is investigated within the high energy color dipole approach, where the main physical quantity is the dipole-target elastic scattering amplitude that captures the main features of the dependence on atomic number A, on energy and on momentum transfer t. These calculations are input in predictions for electromagnetic interactions in pp and AA collisions to be measured at the LHC.
We discuss the potential to constrain the small-$x$ PDFs using the exclusive production of heavy vector mesons. The calculation of $J/ψ$ and $Υ$ photoproduction at NLO in collinear factorisation is described. The different behaviour of the NLO corrections for $J/ψ$ and $Υ$ is highlighted and we outline what might be expected from the inclusion of these processes in a PDF fit.
The forward photoproduction amplitude for gamma p to Upsilon p is calculated in a pQCD k_t-factorization approach with an unintegrated gluon distribution constrained by inclusive deep-inelastic structure functions. The total cross section for diffractive Upsilons is compared with a recent HERA data. We also discuss the 2S/1S ratio in diffractive Upsilon-production. The amplitude is used to predict the cross section for exclusive Upsilon production in hadronic reactions. Differential distributions for the exclusive p pbar to p Upsilon pbar process are calculated for Tevatron energies. We also s…
We calculate the leading-order perturbative contribution to $γp \to M_{V} p$, with $M_V$ being a $Φ$ or $J/Ψ$ meson, in the kinematic region of large energy and scattering angle.
In exclusive $J/ψ$ production by polarized photons incident on polarized protons, a finite polarization asymmetry arises because of $c\bar c$ Fermi-motion and binding-energy effects. The asymmetry depends on the polarized nonforward gluon distribution of the proton and thus gives information on gluon polarization in the proton. The analyzing power, however, is rather small.
We discuss exclusive $J/ψ$ photoproduction, initially in conventional collinear factorisation at NLO and then subsequently in a refined approach with a programme of low $x$ resummation and implementation of a crucial low $Q_0$ subtraction included. We compare and contrast predictions in both frameworks and remark about the possibility to constrain and ultimately determine the low $x$ and low scale gluon PDF, emphasising the significance of this for future global PDF analyses.
In this contribution we report on the investigations of the exclusive production of J/psi and psi(2S) states in proton-proton and nucleus-nucleus reactions at the LHC using the theoretical framework of light-cone dipole formalism.
Exclusive photoproduction of dileptons, gamma p ->l+ l- p, will be measured in ultraperipheral collisions at LHC. The mechanism where the lepton pair comes from a heavy timelike photon radiated from a quark interferes with the pure QED process gamma gamma ->l+ l- As an analog of deeply virtual Compton scattering, this timelike Compton scattering is a way to study generalized parton distributions in the nucleon or the nucleus. High energy kinematics will enable to focus on gluon distributions. Nuclear effects may be scrutinized in heavy ion collisions.
The amplitude for $γp \to ϕp$ is calculated in a pQCD $k_{T}$ - factorization approach. The total cross section for this process is compared with HERA data. Total cross section, as a function of photon-proton energy and photon virtuality, is calculated. We also discuss the ratio of $σ_{L}$ / $σ_{T}$ and the dependence on the mass of the strange quark. The amplitude for $γp \to ϕp$ is used to predict the cross section for exclusive photoproduction of $ϕ$ meson in proton-proton collisions. Absorption effects are included. The results for RHIC, Tevatron and LHC energies are presented.
The photonuclear production of vector mesons in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions is investigated within the collinear approach using different parameterizations for the nuclear gluon distribution. The integrated cross section and the rapidity distribution for the $AA \to V AA$ ($V = J/Ψ, Υ$) process are computed for energies of RHIC and LHC. A comparison with the recent PHENIX data on coherent production of $J/Ψ$ mesons is also presented. We demonstrate that the study of the exclusive quarkonium photoproduction can be used to constrain the nuclear effects in the gluon distribution.
We argue that coherent production of hard dijets by linearly polarized real photons can provide direct evidence for chirality violation in hard processes, the first measurement of the magnetic susceptibility of the quark condensate and the photon distribution amplitude. It can also serve as a sensitive probe of the generalized gluon parton distribution. Numerical calculations are presented for HERA kinematics.
The elastic differential and integrated total cross section for the exclusive $ρ^0$ photoproduction in electron-proton ($ep$) collisions are evaluated taking into account nonperturbative Pomeron exchange approach. By using three different models based on Regge phenomenology the results are compared to recent measurements by H1 Collaboration in $ep$ collisions and by the CMS collaboration from ultraperipheral proton-lead collisions. The analysis is expanded by calculating the coherent nuclear cross section, $σ(γA\rightarrow ρ^0 A)$, which is applied to $ρ^0$ production in ultraperipheral lead-l…
We derive the forward photoproduction amplitude for the diffractive $γp \to l^+ l^- p$ reaction in the momentum space. within the formalism of $k_\perp$- factorization. Predictions for the $γp \to l^+ l^- p$ reaction are given using unintegrated gluon distribution from the literature. We calculate the total cross section as a function of photon-proton center of mass energy and the invariant mass distribution of the lepton pair. We also discuss whether the production of timelike virtual photons can be approximated by continuing to the spacelike domain $ q^2 < 0$. The present calculation provide…
We provide predictions for the rapidity distributions of exclusive photoproduced J/psi and Upsilon mesons, and Z^0 bosons, at the Tevatron and LHC. We use the equivalent-photon approximation with the photon-proton cross sections given by the impact parameter dependent dipole saturation model, which has already been shown to give a good description of a wide variety of HERA data. We derive the quark-antiquark light-cone wave functions of timelike neutral electroweak bosons. An essential difference is pointed out between the amplitude for timelike heavy boson photoproduction and the amplitude fo…
We show how deviations from the dimensional scaling laws for exclusive processes may be related to a breakdown in the locality of quark-hadron duality, i.e. the "restricted locality". For exclusive reactions like meson photo- and electroproduction above the resonance region, we explore the effects arising from such a local duality breaking and propose that it can be a possible source for oscillations about the smooth quark counting rule predicted by pQCD in the 90-degree differential cross sections.
We summarize what is known about the transverse spatial distribution of gluons in the nucleon and its x-dependence from exclusive J/psi photo/electroproduction in e-p fixed-target and collider experiments (HERA H1 and ZEUS). This information can be used to predict the impact parameter dependence of the cross section for certain hard QCD processes (dijet production) in pbar-p and p-p collisions at the Tevatron and LHC.
We calculate the nuclear cross section for vector meson exclusive photoproduction within the QCD color dipole picture and in the Regge approach. For the former approach, we have considered the phenomenological saturation model, whereas for the latter we use a model based on the dipole Pomeron framework. Theoretical estimates for scattering on both light and heavy nuclei are given for a large range on energy.
In this work we investigate the coherent photoproduction of psi(1S), psi(2S) and Upsilon (1S) states in the proton-nucleus collisions in the LHC energies. Predictions for the rapidity distributions are presented using the color dipole formalism and including saturation effects that are expected to be relevant at high energies. Calculations are done at the energy 5.02 TeV and also for the next LHC run at 8.8 TeV in proton-lead mode. Discussion is performed on the main theoretical uncertainties associated to the calculations.
We study exclusive vector meson photoproduction, $γp \to V + p$ with $V=J/ψ$ or $Υ$, at NLO in collinear factorisation, in order to examine what may be learnt about the gluon distribution at very low $x$. We examine the factorisation scale dependence of the predictions. We argue that, using knowledge of the NLO corrections, terms enhanced by a large $\ln(1/ξ)$ can be reabsorbed in the LO part by a choice of the factorisation scale. (In these exclusive processes $ξ$ takes the role of Bjorken-$x$.) Then, the scale dependence coming from the remaining NLO contributions has no $\ln(1/ξ)$ enhanceme…
The reactions gamma p -> K+ Lambda and gamma p -> K* Lambda are analyzed within perturbative QCD, allowing for diquarks as quasi-elementary constituents of baryons. The diquark-model parameters and the quark-diquark distribution amplitudes of proton and Lambda are taken from previous investigations of electromagnetic baryon form factors and Compton-scattering off protons. Unpolarized differential cross sections and polarization observables are computed for different choices of the K and K* distribution amplitudes. The asymptotic form of the K distribution amplitude (proportional to x1 x2) is f…
We study the photoproduction of exclusive $2π^+2π^-$ mesons in ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and LHC energies. Predictions in photon-nucleus interactions are calculated for various resonances at central and forward rapidities. The recent H1 preliminary data are utilized to improve the description of the poorly known $γp \to 4π^\pm p$ process. We present the comparisons of our results to the available STAR data at RHIC, and made predictions for LHC energies.
We investigate the exclusive photoproduction of a heavy timelike photon which decays into a lepton pair, gamma p -> l+ l- p. This can be seen as the analog of deeply virtual Compton scattering, and we argue that the two processes are complementary for studying generalized parton distributions in the nucleon. In an unpolarized experiment the angular distribution of the leptons readily provides access to the real part of the Compton amplitude. We estimate the possible size of this effect in kinematics where the Compton process should be dominated by quark exchange.
The process of exclusive heavy vector meson photoproduction, gamma p -> V p, is studied in the framework of QCD factorization. The mass of the produced meson, V = Upsilon or J/Psi, provides a hard scale for the process. We demonstrate, that in the heavy quark limit and at the one-loop order in perturbation theory, the amplitude factorizes in a convolution of a perturbatively calculable hard-scattering amplitude with the generalized parton densities and the nonrelativistic QCD matrix element <O_1>_V. We evaluate the hard scattering amplitude at one-loop order and compare the data with theoretic…
We report on an attempt to describe hard exclusive photoproduction of $J/Ψ$ mesons, i.e. the reaction $γp \to J/Ψp$, by means of a modified version of the hard-scattering approach, in which the proton is treated as a quark-diquark rather than a three-quark system. In order to improve the applicability of the model at momentum transfers of only a few GeV we take into account constituent-mass effects in the calculation of the perturbative scattering amplitude. With a standard $J/Ψ$-meson distribution amplitude and diquark-model parameters adopted from preceding investigations of other photon-ind…
In this work we investigate the exclusive photoproduction of J/psi and the radially excited psi(2S) state off nucleon in proton-proton collisions. The theoretical framework considered in the analysis is the light-cone dipole formalism and predictions are done for proton-proton collisions at the CERN-LHC energy of 7 TeV. The theoretical uncertainties are investigated and comparison is done to the recent LHCb Collaboration data for the exclusive charmonium production.
Positivity constraints have proved to be important for spin observables of exclusive reactions involving polarized initial and final particles. Attention is focused in this note on the photoproduction of pseudoscalar mesons from spin 1/2 baryons, more specifically gamma+ N -> K+ Lambda, gamma+ N -> K Sigma, for which new experimental data are becoming available.
In this letter we complement previous studies on exclusive vector meson photoproduction in hadronic collisions presenting a comprehensive analysis of the $t$ - spectrum measured in exclusive $ρ$ and $J/Ψ$ photoproduction in $pA$ collisions at the LHC. We compute the differential cross sections considering two phenomenological models for the gluon saturation effects and present predictions for $pPb$ and $pCa$ collisions. Moreover, we compare our predictions with the recent preliminary CMS data for the exclusive $ρ$ photoproduction. We demonstrate that the gluon saturation models are able to des…
We present predictions for the rapidity-differential cross sections of exclusive $Υ$ photoproduction in ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) of lead ions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We work in the framework of collinear factorization at next-to-leading order (NLO) in perturbative QCD, modeling the generalized parton distributions (GPDs) through the Shuvaev transform of nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDFs). While the effects due to the GPD modeling turn out to be small, the direct NLO predictions still carry significant nPDF-originating uncertainties and depend strongly on the cho…
Rapidity distributions of vector mesons are computed in dipole model proton-lead ultraperipheral collisions(UPCs) at the CERN Larger Hadron Collider(LHC). The dipole model framework is implemented in the calculations of cross sections in the photon-hadron interaction. The bCGC model and Boosted Gaussian wave functions are employed in the scattering amplitude. We obtain predictions of rapidity distributions of $J/ψ$ meson proton-lead ultraperipheral collisions. The predictions give a good descriptions to the experimental data of ALICE. The rapidity distributions of $ϕ$, $ω$ and $ψ(2s)$ mesons i…
We extend the k_\perp-factorization formalism for exclusive photoproduction of vector mesons to the production of electroweak Z^0 bosons. Predictions for the gamma p \to Z^0 p and p p \to p p Z^0 reactions are given using an unintegrated gluon distribution tested against deep inelastic data. We present distributions in the Z^0 rapidity, transverse momentum of Z^0 as well as in relative azimuthal angle between outgoing protons. The contributions of different flavours are discussed. Absorption effects lower the cross section by a factor of 1.5-2, depending on the Z-boson rapidity. We also discus…
The exclusive $Υ$ photoproduction in proton-proton and proton - nucleus collisions at LHC energies is investigated using the color dipole formalism and considering different models for the $Υ$ wave function and forward dipole - target scattering amplitude. Our goal is to update the color dipole predictions and estimate the theoretical uncertainty present in these predictions. We present predictions for the kinematical ranges probed by the ALICE, CMS and LHCb Collaborations.
In this paper we study the high energy exclusive photoproduction of heavy quarkonia pairs in the leading order of the strong coupling constant $α_{s}$. In the suggested mechanism the quarkonia pairs are produced with opposite charge parities, and have predominantly oppositely directed transverse momenta. Using the Color Glass Condensate approach, we estimated numerically the production cross-sections in the kinematics of the forthcoming electron-proton colliders, as well as proton-ion colliders in ultraperipheral collisions. We found that the cross-sections are within the reach of planned expe…
We investigate the theoretical uncertainty on the predictions for the photoproduction of $ρ$ and $J/Ψ$ states in nucleus-nucleus collisions at Run 2 LHC energies using the Color Dipole formalism. The results for rapidity distributions and total cross sections are presented. Moreover, we compare directly the theoretical results to the recent preliminary data from ALICE collaboration on $ρ$ production in $PbPb$ collisions at central rapidity.
Over the past years the LHC experiments have reported experimental evidences for processes associated to photon-photon and photon-hadron interactions, showing their potential to investigate the production of low- and high-mass systems in exclusive events. In the particular case of the photoproduction of vector mesons, the experimental study of this final state is expected to shed light on the description of the QCD dynamics at small values of the Bjorken-$x$ variable. In this paper we extend previous studies for the exclusive $J/Ψ$ and $Υ$ photoproduction in $pp$ collisions based on the nonlin…
In this paper, we discuss the exclusive photoproduction of ground and excited states of $ψ(1S,2S)$ and $Υ(1S,2S)$ in ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs). Using the potential model in order to obtain the vector meson wave function, we find a good agreement of our calculations with data from the LHC and HERA colliders for $J/ψ(1S,2S) $ and $Υ(1S)$ in $γp$ collisions. We extend the calculations to the nuclear target case applying them to $AA$ UPCs with the use of the shadowing and finite coherence length effects fitted to the data. Our results are compared to the recent LHC data, in both incoherent…
Protons and antiprotons at collider energies are a source of high energy Weizsäcker--Williams photons. This may open a possibility to study exclusive photoproduction of heavy vector mesons at energies much larger than possible at the HERA accelerator. Here we present a detailed investigation of the exclusive $J/ψ$ photoproduction in proton-proton (RHIC, LHC) and proton-antiproton (Tevatron) collisions. We calculate several differential distributions in $t_1, t_2, y, ϕ$, as well as transverse momentum distributions of $J/Ψ$'s. We discuss correlations in the azimuthal angle between outgoing prot…
The exclusive photoproduction of vector mesons ($J/ψ$ and $ϕ$) are investigated by taking into account the next-to-leading order corrections in the framework of Color Glass Condensate. We confront the next-to-leading order modified dipole amplitude with the HERA data finding good agreement. Our studies show that the $χ^2/d.o.f$ from leading order, running coupling and collinearly improved next-to-leading order dipole amplitudes are 2.159, 1.097, and 0.932 for the elastic cross section, and 2.056, 1.449, and 1.357 for differential cross section. The outcomes indicate that the higher-order corre…
