Which Pomeron survives at LHC energies?

TL;DR

This paper models proton-proton and proton-antiproton scattering amplitudes using a finite sum of ladder diagrams from QCD, fitting data to predict total cross sections at LHC energies and comparing with Regge-models including a hard Pomeron.

Contribution

It introduces a QCD-based eikonal model with a finite sum of ladder diagrams to describe high-energy scattering and provides explicit predictions for LHC energies.

Findings

Fitted total cross section data with models including three and four rungs.

Predicted total cross section at LHC energies.

Compared predictions with various Regge-models, including hard Pomeron contributions.

Abstract

An eikonalized elastic proton-proton and proton-antiproton scattering amplitude, based on the suggestion of a finite sum of ladder diagrams, calculated from QCD and the number of $s-$channel gluon rungs and correspondingly the powers of logarithms in total cross section depends on available increasing energy. Explicit expressions for total cross section involving three and four rungs (four and five prongs), as highest terms, respectively) are fitted to the all available proton-proton and proton-antiproton total cross section data. Predictions for pp total cross section at LHC energy are given and compared with prediction of several Regge-models including possible hard Pomeron contribution.