Investigating exclusive $\rho^0$ photoproduction within the Regge phenomenology approach

Abstract

The elastic differential and integrated total cross section for the exclusive $\rho^0$ photoproduction in electron-proton ($ep$) collisions are evaluated taking into account nonperturbative Pomeron exchange approach. By using three different models based on Regge phenomenology the results are compared to recent measurements by H1 Collaboration in $ep$ collisions and by the CMS collaboration from ultraperipheral proton-lead collisions. The analysis is expanded by calculating the coherent nuclear cross section, $\sigma (\gamma A\rightarrow \rho^0 A)$, which is applied to $\rho^0$ production in ultraperipheral lead-lead and xenon-xenon collisions. The predictions are compared to the measurements performed by ALICE Collaboration. Aspects of the theoretical uncertainties and limitations of the formalism are scrutinized.