Abstract
It is shown that charm photoproduction can be consistently described within an asymptotically free field theory. Quantum chromodynamics is used to derive sum rules for the total cross section σ c γ which includes both production of mesons with hidden charm (J/ψ, ψ′ and so on) and of charmed particles (pairs D D , F F and so on). An estimate of σ c γ as a function of energy is given and fast growth is discovered up to energies ∼ 1000 GeV. In this energy range σ c γ turns out to be equal to several μb. It is argued that measurements of charm photoproduction would give the most direct information on the gluon distribution within a nucleon. All the results are generalized to production of heavier particles containing new quarks. In particular, a simple rescaling law is derived connecting the cross sections for charm and beauty.
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