Elastic differential cross-section d sigma/dt at root s=2.76 TeV and implications on the existence of a colourless C-odd three-gluon compound state

Abstract

The proton-proton elastic differential cross sectvion d sigma/dt has been measured by the TOTEM experiment at root s = 2.76 TeV energy with beta* = 11 m beam optics. The Roman Pots were inserted to 13 times the transverse beam size from the beam, which allowed tomeasure the differential cross-section of elastic scattering in a range of the squared four-momentum transfer (vertical bar t vertical bar) from 0.36 to 0.74 GeV2. The differential cross-section can be described with an exponential in the vertical bar t vertical bar-range between 0.36 and 0.54 GeV2, followed by a diffractive minimum (dip) at vertical bar t(dip)vertical bar = (0.61 +/- 0.03) GeV2 and a subsequent maximum (bump). The ratio of the ds/dt at the bump and at the dip is 1.7 +/- 0.2. When compared to proton-antiproton measurement of the D0 experiment at root s = 1.96 TeV, a significant difference can be observed. Under the condition that the effects due to the energy difference between TOTEM and D0 can be neglected, the result provides evidence for the exchange of a colourless C-odd three-gluon compound state in the t-channel of the proton-proton and proton-antiproton elastic scattering.