Early LHC measurements to check predictions for central exclusive production

We show how the early data runs of the LHC can provide valuable checks of the different components of the formalism used to predict the cross sections of central exclusive processes. The ‘soft’ rapidity gap survival factor can be studied in electroweak processes, such as W+gaps events, where the bare amplitude is well known. The generalized gluon distribution, in the appropriate kinematic region, can be probed by exclusive Υ production. The perturbative QCD effects, especially the Sudakov-like factor, can be probed by exclusive twoand three-jet production. We discuss the possible role of enhanced absorptive corrections which would violate the soft-hard factorization implied in the usual formalism, and suggest ways that the LHC may explore their presence.