Does the Slope of the High-Energy Elastic Proton-Proton Scattering Cross Section Increase at Small Momentum Transfer?

Abstract

Experimental information relating to the slope of the elastic proton-proton scattering cross section in the region of $\ensuremath{-}t=0.15$ ${(\mathrm{B}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$ is reviewed. For proton energies greater than 18 BeV, most of the available data indicate that the slope changes from less than 9.0 ${(\mathrm{B}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ for $\ensuremath{-}tg0.2$ ${(\mathrm{B}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$ to a value greater than 10.0 ${(\mathrm{B}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ for $\ensuremath{-}tl0.15$ ${(\mathrm{B}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$.