Exclusive production of ${\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ pairs in diffractive $\gamma p$ and in $pp$ collisions within the tensor-pomeron approach

Abstract

We discuss exclusive production of ${\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ pairs in diffractive $\gamma p$ and in $pp$ collisions at high energies, considering resonant ($\rho (770)$, $\omega$, $f_2(1270)$) and non-resonant (Drell-Söding) contributions within the tensor-pomeron approach. For the $\gamma p\to {\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}p$ reaction, the model describes well the H1 data in the region $M_{\pi \pi }\lesssim 1.2$ GeV. We discuss the important role of the Drell-Söding mechanism in shaping the resonance line. We also predict differential cross sections for the $pp\to pp{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ reaction at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV where at least one proton emits a virtual photon. These findings are relevant for the central exclusive production of ${\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ pairs in the context of ALICE, ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb measurements in hadron-hadron collisions at the LHC, especially under experimental selections using only rapidity-gap conditions. Additionally, our results are also applicable to ${\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ production in ultraperipheral $p$A/AA collisions at the LHC and to photo- and electroproduction of ${\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ at future electron-proton/ion colliders (EIC, LHeC).

arXiv comment9 pages, 5 figures. Proceedings of the 18th International Workshop on Meson Physics (MESON2026), Kraków, Poland, 2026 June 25-30