The New $\sigma_{tot}(\Sigma p)$ Data, the new PDG fit to hadron total cross sections and the TCP alternative

TL;DR

This paper revisits hadron total cross section data, highlighting the significance of an additional exchange contribution in the 1975 TCP model, which aligns with recent measurements and challenges standard interpretations of the Pomeron intercept.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the two-component-Pomeron model from 1975, including an extra exchange term, fits current data with fewer parameters and offers insights into the systematics of high-energy cross sections.

Findings

The 1975 TCP model accurately predicts $\sigma_{tot}(\Sigma p)$ at high energies.

The additional exchange contribution complicates the extraction of the Pomeron intercept.

Recent measurements support the relevance of the two-component-Pomeron approach.

Abstract

The new SELEX measurement $\sigma_{tot}(\Sigma p) = 36.96 \pm 0.65$ at P = 609 GeV/c and the new 1998 Particle-Data-Group Regge (PDG) analysis of hadron total cross sections with an additional even-signature-exchange contribution recall the 1975 two-component-Pomeron model (TCP), which introduced such an additional term and predicted $\sigma_{tot}(\Sigma p) = 37.07$ mb. in 1975 as well as fitting all the same data now fit by PDG with fewer free parameters.and predicting $\sigma_{tot}(\Sigma p)$, (not predicted by PDG) at lower energies. The additional contribution confuses the extraction of the Pomeron intercept from data in the 600 GeV range and its dynamical origin is still unclear. But its surprising systematics suggests an interesting origin.