Total gamma-N cross section in the energy range sqrt(s)=40-250 GeV

TL;DR

This paper reports measurements of the gamma-N total cross section between 40 and 250 GeV, confirming a rapid rise at higher energies and discussing possible causes based on experimental data analysis.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on gamma-N cross sections at high energies and analyzes the rise in cross section, suggesting increased quark content as a possible cause.

Findings

Gamma-N cross section rises more rapidly than hadron-hadron cross sections at high energies.

Experimental data supports the effect of increased quark number in photon hadronization products.

Discussion on the consistency of direct and indirect cross-section measurements.

Abstract

The results of measurements of gamma-N total cross section, obtained by the method of photoproduction processes registration at the Baksan Underground Scintillation Telescope, are presented. These data at energies sqrt(s)=40-130 GeV confirm the effect of more rapid photon-hadron cross-section rise as compared to the hadron-hadron ones. It is shown, the increasing of the additive quark number in the products of photon hadronization can be one of the causes responsible for this effect. On the basis of the analysis of experimental data on both gamma-N and gamma-gamma total cross sections, the status of direct and indirect cross-section measurements is discussed.