Double vector meson production in photon - hadron interactions at hadronic colliders

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the double vector meson production in photon -- hadron ($\gamma h$) interactions at $pp/pA/AA$ collisions and present predictions for the $\rho\rho$, $J/\Psi J/\Psi$ and $\rho J/\Psi$ production considering the double scattering mechanism. We estimate the total cross sections and rapidity distributions at LHC energies and compare our results with the predictions for the double vector meson production in $\gamma \gamma$ interactions at hadronic colliders. We present predictions for the different rapidity ranges probed by the ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb Collaborations. Our results demonstrate that the $\rho\rho$ and $J/\Psi J/\Psi$ production in $PbPb$ collisions is dominated by the double scattering mechanism, while the two - photon mechanism dominates in $pp$ collisions. Moreover, our results indicate that the analysis of the $\rho J/\Psi$ production at LHC can be useful to constrain the double scattering mechanism.