Low-|t| structures in elastic scattering at the LHC

TL;DR

This paper predicts potential low-|t| structures in the elastic scattering differential cross section at the LHC, linking them to known phenomena and suggesting tiny oscillations may exist at small |t| values.

Contribution

It introduces the prediction of low-|t| structures in LHC elastic scattering, connecting them to historical observations and theoretical branch points.

Findings

Change in slope near t=-0.1 GeV^2 linked to ISR observations

Possible tiny oscillations at small |t| in the scattering data

Theoretical connection to the 4m_pi^2 branch point

Abstract

Possible low-$|t|$ structures in the differential cross section of $pp$ elastic scattering at the LHC are predicted. It is argued that the change of the slope of the elastic cross section near $t=-0.1$ GeV$^2$ has the same origin as that observed in 1972 at the ISR, both related to the $4m_{\pi}^2$ branch point in the $|t|$-channel of the scattering amplitude. Apart from that structure, tiny oscillations at small $|t|$ may be present on the cone at low $|t|$.