Study of the exclusive reaction pp→ppK*0K¯*0 : f2(1950) resonance versus diffractive continuum

We present first predictions of the cross sections and differential distributions for exclusive reaction $pp\ensuremath{\rightarrow}pp{K}^{*0}{\overline{K}}^{*0}$ contributing to ${K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ channel. The amplitudes are formulated within nonperturbative tensor-Pomeron approach. consider separately ${f}_{2}(1950)$ $s$-channel exchange mechanism ${K}^{*0}$ $t/u$-channel mechanism, focusing on their specificities. First is a candidate central diffractive production tensor glueball second one an irreducible continuum. adjust parameters our model, assuming dominance Pomeron-Pomeron fusion, WA102 experimental data. find that including continuum contribution alone can describe data reasonably well. $pp\ensuremath{\rightarrow}pp({K}^{*0}{\overline{K}}^{*0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ ALICE, ATLAS, CMS LHCb experiments typical kinematical cuts. from model $\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\cong}17--250\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nb}$ LHC experiments, depending assumed Absorption effects included in analysis.