https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s2004-02096-7
theoretical physics
Eikonal representation in the momentum-transfer space
1
Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas, 38702-054, Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil
2
Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970, Campinas, SP Brazil
* e-mail: menon@ifi.unicamp.br
By means of empirical fits to the differential cross section data on pp and 
elastic scattering, above 10 GeV (center-of-mass energy), we determine the eikonal in the momentum-transfer space (q
2- space). We make use of a numerical method and a novel semi-analytical method, through which the uncertainties from the fit parameters can be propagated up to the eikonal in the q
2- space. A systematic study of the effect of the experimental information at large values of the momentum transfer is developed and discussed in detail. We present statistical evidence that the imaginary part of the eikonal changes sign in the q
2- space and that the position of the zero decreases as the energy increases; after the position of the zero, the eikonal presents a minimum and then goes to zero through negative values. We discuss the applicability of our results in the phenomenological context, outlining some connections with nonperturbative QCD. A short review and a critical discussion on the main results concerning “model-independent” analyses are also presented.
© Springer-Verlag, 2004
