Real Compton Scattering via Color Dipoles

TL;DR

This paper models real Compton scattering using the color dipole approach, combining a photon wave function from the instanton vacuum with phenomenological dipole amplitudes, and predicts differential cross sections for future measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of the color dipole model with an instanton vacuum photon wave function to predict Compton scattering observables.

Findings

High-energy photoabsorption cross sections match parameter-free calculations.

Predictions for differential RCS cross sections are provided.

Potential for measuring small-angle Compton scattering at the LHC.

Abstract

We study photoabsorption reaction and real Compton scattering (RCS) within the color dipole model. We rely on a photon wave function derived in the instanton vacuum model, and on the energy dependent phenomenological elastic dipole amplitude. Data for the photoabsorption cross section at high energies agree with our parameter free calculations. We also provide predictions for the differential RCS cross section. Although no data for small angle Compton scattering are available so far, this process can be measured in ultra-peripheral hadronic and nuclear collisions at the LHC.