The exclusive photoproduction of $\chi_{c}\gamma$ pairs in the small-$x$ kinematics

Abstract

In this manuscript we analyze the exclusive photoproduction of the $\chi_{c}\gamma$ pairs. We focus on the small-$x$ kinematics and evaluate the cross-sections in the Color Glass Condensate framework. We found that in the leading order in the strong coupling $\alpha_{s}$, this process is sensitive only to the forward color dipole scattering amplitude. We estimated numerically the cross-sections for different polarizations of $\chi_{c}$ mesons in the kinematics of the ultraperipheral collisions at LHC and the future Electron Ion Collider. We also analyzed the role of this process as a potential background to exclusive $\chi_{c}$ photoproduction, which has been recently suggested as an alternative channel for studies of odderons. According to our estimates, the cross-section of $\chi_{c}\gamma$ with undetected photons is comparable to that of odderons at small momentum transfer $|t|\lesssim1$ GeV$^{2}$, but becomes less relevant at larger $|t|$. We also found that a dominant background to odderon-mediated production of $\chi_{c}$ comes from the radiative decays of $\psi(2S)$ mesons, which potentially can present a challenge for odderon studies via $\chi_{c}$ photoproduction.