Single Pseudoscalar Meson Production in Diffractive ep Scattering

Abstract

Exclusive pseudoscalar meson production in ep scattering at high energies is a direct probe for a possible "odderon" exchange in soft hadronic processes. Using a simple phenomenological ansatz for the odderon, we demonstrate how it can be separated from the contribution due to photon-photon fusion, and the relevant parameters be measured. Total cross sections and differential distributions are presented for pi0, eta, eta', and eta_c production. Results are given from both a full calculation and one using the equivalent photon approximation. The accuracy of the latter is discussed.

24 pages, LaTeX2e, uses feynmp.sty [included] and amstex.sty