Model-independent data reductions of elastic proton-proton scattering

TL;DR

This paper presents a model-independent analysis of high-energy proton-proton scattering data, providing detailed amplitude parametrizations and impact parameter insights without relying on specific theoretical models.

Contribution

It introduces an unconstrained, model-independent parametrization method for scattering amplitudes and applies it to a wide energy range, improving data description and analysis.

Findings

Accurately describes experimental data from 19.4 to 62.5 GeV

Provides impact parameter space overlap functions

Discusses real and imaginary amplitude contributions

Abstract

New developments in empirical analyses of the proton-proton differential cross section data at high energies are reported. Making use of an unconstrained model-independent parametrization for the scattering amplitude and two different fit procedures, all the experimental data in the center-of-mass energy interval 19.4 - 62.5 GeV are quite well described (optical point and data above the region of Coulomb-nuclear interference). The contributions from the real and imaginary parts of the amplitude beyond the forward direction are discussed and compared with the results from previous analyses and phenomenological models. Extracted overlap functions (impact parameter space) are outlined and a critical discussion on model-independent analyses and results are also presented.