Open-string singlet interaction as pomeron in elastic $$pp, p\bar{p}$$ pp,pp¯ scattering

Abstract

Abstract We consider contributions of the open-string singlet (OSS) interaction to the proton–proton scattering. Modelling baryon and meson as instanton and open string in the effective QCD string model, the typical pomeron is identified with a massive spin-2 closed string. According to the open-closed string duality, the massive spin-2 closed string is accompanied by the open-string singlet interaction with universal coupling. The flat space 4-point open-string singlet amplitudes and cross sections are computed in the Regge limit. Including both the open and closed string pomerons, we fit the differential cross-section with experimental data of the proton–proton and proton–antiproton scattering from the CDF, E-710, D0, LHC-ATLAS and LHC-TOTEM collaborations. The fitting results show the universality of the string mass scale (or string tension) and consistency of the string model between the open and closed string parameters in describing the pp and $$p\bar{p}$$ pp¯ scattering in the Regge limit. The fitting of the string model to experimental data gives the string scale $$M_{S}\simeq 1.7$$ MS≃1.7 –1.8 GeV and the corresponding glueball pole mass $$m_{g}\simeq 1.6$$ mg≃1.6 –1.7 GeV. This lies within experimental values of the observed $$2^{++}, I=0$$ 2++,I=0 “meson” masses.