Elastic Meson-Nucleon and Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering: Models vs. All Available Data

Abstract

We consider simple-pole descriptions of soft elastic scattering at small $t$ and $s$, and allow for the presence of a hard pomeron. We have built and analyzed an exhaustive dataset and we show that simple poles provide an excellent description of the data in the region $-0.5$ GeV${}^2<t<$ $-0.1$ GeV${}^2$, 6 GeV$<\sqrt{s}<$63 GeV. We show that new form factors have to be used, and get information on the trajectories of the soft and hard pomerons.

Comments: Contribution to the proceedings of the XIth International Conference on Elastic and Diffractive Scattering, Chateau de Blois, France, May 15 - 20, 2005. Needs Blois.sty (provided)