Towards Extraction of $\pi^+ p$ and $\pi^+\pi^+$ cross-sections from Charge Exchange Processes at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper explores how early LHC data on leading neutrons can be used to extract pion-proton and pion-pion cross-sections, analyzing contributions of different reggeons and measurement challenges.

Contribution

It provides a novel analysis framework for extracting meson cross-sections from LHC charge exchange data, considering reggeon contributions and measurement issues.

Findings

Estimated contributions of $ ho$ and $a_2$ reggeons to charge exchanges

Discussion of measurement challenges in extracting cross-sections

Proposed methodology for analyzing LHC leading neutron data

Abstract

We study the possibilities to analyse the data on leading neutrons production at first LHC runs. These data could be used to extract from it $\pi^+ p$ and $\pi^+\pi^+$ cross-sections. In this note we estimate relative contributions of $\pi$, $\rho$ and $a_2$ reggeons to charge exchanges and discuss related problems of measurements.