Exclusive photoproduction of $\varphi$ meson in $\gamma p\to \varphi p$ and $pp\to p\varphi p$ reactions

Abstract

The amplitude for $\gamma p\to \varphi p$ is calculated in a pQCD $k_T$ - factorization approach. The total cross section for this process is compared with HERA data. Total cross section, as a function of photon-proton energy and photon virtuality, is calculated. We also discuss the ratio of ${\sigma }_L$ / ${\sigma }_T$ and the dependence on the mass of the strange quark. The amplitude for $\gamma p\to \varphi p$ is used to predict the cross section for exclusive photoproduction of $\varphi$ meson in proton-proton collisions. Absorption effects are included. The results for RHIC, Tevatron and LHC energies are presented.

Comments: 10 pages, 5 figures