NLO exclusive diffractive processes with saturation

TL;DR

This paper computes the first next-to-leading order impact factors for exclusive diffractive processes in the QCD shock wave framework, advancing precision studies of high-energy collisions involving saturation effects.

Contribution

It introduces the first NLO impact factors in the QCD shock wave approach for exclusive processes, enabling more accurate theoretical predictions.

Findings

First NLO impact factors computed in the shock wave approach.

Facilitates precision studies of high-energy exclusive processes.

Applicable to $ep$, $eA$, $pp$, and $pA$ collisions.

Abstract

We present two NLO exclusive impact factors computed in the QCD shock wave approach. These are the very first steps towards precision studies of a wide range of high energy exclusive processes with saturation effects in $ep$, $eA$, $pp$ and $pA$ collisions.