Phenomenological analysis of total cross-section measurements at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

The available high-energy total-cross-section data for π±, K±, p, and p̄ scattering on protons and deuterons are analyzed. It is found that the diffractive (nonfalling) components of the cross sections are compatible with several different functional forms for the energy dependence, including one in which σK+p, σπ+p, and σpp will rise asymptotically as lns with coefficients in the ratios predicted by SU(3) and the naive quark model. The falling components of the cross sections are found to be in agreement with Regge theory. The ρ and ω intercepts are found to be αρ=0.57 and αω=0.43. A comparison with forward nondiffractive cross sections verifies the Regge pole phase of the ω but suggests a possible breaking of the ρ pole phase. The data are in strong agreement with universality, are compatible with exchange degeneracy between the f and ω, and indicate a substantial breaking of SU(3). Glauber screening corrections, with inelastic contributions added, are calculated and used to predict the total cross sections for scattering on deuterium. The predictions are in excellent agreement with the data.