Saturation model for two-photon interactions at high energies

Abstract

We formulate and analyse a saturation model for the total gamma gamma and gamma* gamma* cross-sections and for the real photon structure function F_2^gamma(x,Q^2). The model is based on a picture in which the gamma* gamma* total cross-section for arbitrary photon virtualities is driven by the interaction of colour dipoles, into which the virtual photons fluctuate. The cross-section describing this interaction is assumed to satisfy the saturation property with the saturation radius taken from the Golec-Biernat and Wusthoff analysis of the gamma* p interaction at HERA. The model is supplemented by the QPM and non-pomeron reggeon contributions. The model gives a very good description of the data on the gamma gamma total cross-section, on the photon structure function F_2^gamma(x,Q^2) at low x and on the gamma* gamma* cross-section extracted from LEP double tagged events. Production of heavy flavours in gamma gamma collisions is also studied. Predictions of the model for the very high energy range which will be probed at future linear colliders are given.