arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B. E. Cox.
The double dissociation photoproduction cross section for the process gamma p -> XY, in which the systems X and Y are separated by a large rapidity gap, is measured at large 4-momentum transfer squared |t| > 20 GeV^2 by the H1 Collaboration at HERA. This measurement provides for the first time a direct measurement of the energy dependence of the gap production process at high |t|.
Diffractive scattering in the presence of a large momentum transfer is an ideal place to study the short distance rapidity gap producing mechanism. Previous studies (experimental and theoretical) in this area have focussed on gaps between jets and on high-$t$ vector meson production. We propose the measurement of double dissociation at high-$t$. We examine the numerous advantages to studying this more inclusive process and conclude that it is an ideal place to study short distance diffraction.