Central exclusive production of axial-vector f1 mesons in proton-proton collisions within the tensor-pomeron approach

Abstract

We discuss the central exclusive production of $f_{1}$ mesons in proton-proton collisions. The diffractive pomeron-pomeron fusion process within the tensor-pomeron approach is considered. Two ways to construct the pomeron-pomeron-$f_{1}$ coupling are discussed. The theoretical calculation of coupling constants is a challenging problem of nonperturbative QCD. We adjust the parameters of the model to the WA102 experimental data. The total cross section and differential distributions are presented. Predictions for LHC experiments are given. Detailed analysis of the distributions in $\phi_{pp}$ the azimuthal angle between the transverse momenta of the outgoing protons can help to check different models and to study real pattern of the absorption effects.