Exclusive double-diffractive production of open charm in proton-proton and proton-antiproton collisions

Abstract

We calculate differential cross sections for exclusive double diffractive (EDD) production of open charm in proton-proton and proton-antiproton collisions. Sizeable cross sections are found. The EDD contribution constitutes about 1 % of the total inclusive cross section for open charm production. A few differential distributions are shown and discussed. The EDD contribution falls faster both with transverse momentum of the $c$ quark/antiquark and the $c\bar{c}$ invariant mass than in the inclusive case.

Comments: 11 pages, 7 figures