Double vector meson production from the BFKL equation

Abstract

The double vector meson production in two photon collisions is addressed assuming that the color singlet $t$-channel exchange carries large momentum transfer. We consider the non-forward solution of the BFKL equation at high energy and large momentum transfer and estimate the total and differential cross section for the process $\gamma \gamma \to V_1 V_2$, where $V_1$ and $V_2$ can be any two vector mesons ($V_i = \rho, \omega, \phi, J/\Psi, \Upsilon$). A comparison between our predictions and previous theoretical results obtained at Born level or assuming the Pomeron-exchange factorization relations is presented. Our results demonstrate that the BFKL dynamics implies an enhancement of the cross sections. Predictions for the future linear colliders (TESLA, CLIC and ILC) are given.