Predictions for the forward cone in diffractive DIS

Abstract

We calculate the diffraction slope $B_D$ for diffractive DIS. We find a counterintuitive rise of $B_D$ from exclusive diffractive excitation of vector mesons to excitation of continuum states with $M^2\sim Q^2$. For the small-mass continuum we predict a rapid variation of $B_D$ with $M^2$ on the scale $m_V^2$ and a sharp drop of $B_D$ for a small-mass continuum above the vector meson excitation.

Comments: to be published in JETP LETT., 10 pages, 2 figures