Hard Diffraction From Quasi-Elastic Dipole Scattering

Abstract

The contribution to diffraction dissociation of virtual photons due to quasi-elastic scattering of the $q$-$\bar{q}$ component is calculated in the framework of the QCD dipole picture. Both longitudinal and transverse components of the cross-section are given. It is shown that, at fixed mass of the diffractively produced system, quantum mechanical interference plays an important rôle. Phenomenological consequences are discussed.

Comments: latex + now: 4 encapsulated poscript figures