Exclusive vector meson production and small-x evolution

TL;DR

This paper models exclusive vector meson production in deep inelastic scattering at small x using the dipole model with impact parameter dependence, solving the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation, and compares results with HERA data.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed dipole amplitude based on the nonlinear BK equation with impact parameter, improving the understanding of small-x evolution in exclusive processes.

Findings

Good agreement with experimental data from HERA.

Validated the dipole model with impact parameter dependence.

Enhanced the theoretical description of vector meson production.

Abstract

The process of exclusive elastic vector meson production in deep inelastic scattering is investigated within the dipole model framework supplemented by the small $x$ evolution. The dipole-proton amplitude is obtained from the nonlinear Balitsky-Kovchegov evolution equation with impact parameter dependence. This dipole amplitude is used to compute the differential cross section for exclusive production of J/\Psi, \phi, and \rho, vector mesons. These numerical calculations are compared with the wide range of experimental data from HERA. Good agreement between the experimental data and the calculations is found.