https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-008-0611-9
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Early LHC measurements to check predictions for central exclusive production
1
Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
2
Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, St. Petersburg, 188300, Russia
* e-mail: V.A.Khoze@durham.ac.uk
Received:
4
February
2008
Revised:
4
March
2008
Accepted:
4
March
2008
Published online:
9
May
2008
We show how the early data runs of the LHC can provide valuable checks of the different components of the formalism used to predict the cross sections of central exclusive processes. The ‘soft’ rapidity gap survival factor can be studied in electroweak processes, such as W+gaps events, for which the bare amplitude is well known. The generalised gluon distribution, in the appropriate kinematic region, can be probed by exclusive Υ production. The perturbative QCD effects, especially the Sudakov-like factor, can be probed by exclusive two- and three-jet production. We discuss the possible role of enhanced absorptive corrections that would violate the soft–hard factorisation implied in the usual formalism, and we suggest ways that the LHC may explore their presence.
© Springer-Verlag , 2008
