Probing the QCD pomeron in e+ e- collisions

Abstract

The total cross section for scattering virtual photons at high energy is sensitive to pomeron physics. If the photons are sufficiently virtual, QCD perturbation theory applies, so that the reaction probes the short distance pomeron. We study this reaction for present and future e+/- e- colliders.

Revised version with corrected numerical values of Qmin corresponding to quoted e+ e- cross sections. Text modified slightly. Nine pages including three figures