Eikonal and asymptotic fits to high energy data for $\sigma$, $\rho$, and $B$: An update with curvature corrections

TL;DR

This paper updates high energy proton scattering data fits, incorporating recent measurements and curvature corrections, confirming the proton's asymptotic black disk behavior with improved fit stability and data consistency.

Contribution

It introduces curvature corrections into the fits of high energy scattering data, enhancing the accuracy and stability of the results and confirming the black disk nature of protons at high energies.

Findings

Fits show excellent stability and agreement with previous predictions.

Curvature corrections significantly affect extrapolated parameters.

Results support the black disk model of proton structure at high energies.

Abstract

We update our eikonal fit and comprehensive asymptotic fits to high energy data on proton--proton and antiproton--proton scattering for $\sigma_{\rm tot}$, $\sigma_{\rm elas}$, $\sigma_{\rm inel}$, $\rho$, and $B$. The fits include the new TOTEM values of total proton-proton cross section, $\rho$, and $B$ at $W=\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV and the Telescope Array value of the total proton-proton cross section at $W=\sqrt{s}$ = 95 TeV, data from the latest measurements of the inelastic cross sections at $W$= 8 TeV (by TOTEM and ATLAS) and 13 TeV (by CMS, ATLAS, and TOTEM). An important new feature of this work is the correction of the data to include the effects of curvature in $\ln{(d\sigma/dt)}$ on the values of $B$, $d\sigma/dt$ at $t=0$, and $\sigma_{\rm tot}$ obtained by extrapolation from the larger values of $t$ where the differential cross section is measured, The effects are significant. The stability of the fits is excellent and the new results agree well with the predictions of earlier fits. This work again confirms the evidence for the proton asymptotically becoming a black disk of gluons.