The possibility that the triple-Pomeron coupling vanishes at q_t=0

TL;DR

This paper investigates the possibility that the triple-Pomeron coupling vanishes at zero transverse momentum, showing that data can be explained with a vectorial form of the vertex when absorptive effects are included.

Contribution

It introduces and analyzes a vectorial form of the triple-Pomeron vertex, contrasting it with scalar forms, and demonstrates its compatibility with existing data and predictions for LHC energies.

Findings

Data can be described with a weak vector coupling scenario when absorptive effects are included.

The vector coupling scenario differs from scalar coupling in its behavior at low q_t.

Predictions for 14 TeV LHC energy are provided based on the vector coupling model.

Abstract

We study the case when the triple-Pomeron vertex is assumed to have a vectorial form, that is, the amplitude of high-mass diffractive dissociation vanishes as $V \propto \vec q_t \cdot \vec e$ as $q_t \to 0$. We find that the available data in the triple-Reggeon region may be well described in such a `weak' coupling scenario, providing that absorptive effects are taken into account. We compare this weak (vector) coupling scenario with the strong and weak (scalar) coupling scenarios. Corresponding predictions are presented for an LHC energy of 14 TeV.