Diffractive light vector meson production at large momentum transfers

Abstract

The diffractive process $\gamma^*(Q^2) p\to V+X$ (where $V= \rho^0, \omega , \phi$ are the vector mesons, consisted of light quarks, $X$ represents the hadrons to that a proton dissociates) is studied. We consider the region of large momentum transfers, $|t|>>\Lambda^2_{QCD}$, and large energies, s. In the leading log approximation of perturbative QCD ( using BFKL equation ) the asymptotic behaviour of the cross section in the limit $s\to\infty , s>>|t|, Q^2$ is obtained. We compare the results derived from BFKL equation with that obtained in the lowest order of QCD (two--gluon exchange in the $t$- channel). The possibility to investigate these reactions at HERA is discussed.