Production ofZ0bosons with rapidity gaps: Exclusive photoproduction inγpandppcollisions and inclusive double diffractiveZ0’s

Abstract

We extend the k{sub perpendicular}-factorization formalism for exclusive photoproduction of vector mesons to the production of electroweak Z{sup 0} bosons. Predictions for the {gamma}p{yields}Z{sup 0}p and pp{yields}ppZ{sup 0} reactions are given using an unintegrated gluon distribution tested against deep inelastic data. We show distributions in the Z{sup 0} rapidity, transverse momentum of Z{sup 0} as well as in relative azimuthal angle between outgoing protons. The contributions of different flavors are discussed. Absorption effects lower the cross section by a factor of 1.5-2, depending on the Z-boson rapidity. We also discuss the production of Z{sup 0} bosons in central inclusive production. Here rapidity and (x{sub IP,1},x{sub IP,2}) distributions of Z{sup 0} are calculated. The corresponding cross section is about 3 orders of magnitude larger than that for the purely exclusive process.