Low-|t| structures in elastic scattering at the LHC

Abstract

Possible low-$|t|$ structures in the differential cross section of $pp$ elastic scattering at the LHC are predicted. It is argued that the change of the slope of the elastic cross section near $t=-0.1$ GeV${}^2$ has the same origin as that observed in 1972 at the ISR, both related to the $4m_{\pi }^2$ branch point in the $|t|$-channel of the scattering amplitude. Apart from that structure, tiny oscillations at small $|t|$ may be present on the cone at low $|t|$.

Comments: 13 pages, 4 Tables; to be published in Acta Physica Polonica B