Thepp —p $\bar p$ difference and the behaviour of phases at high energies

Abstract

Predictions based on axiomatic field theory are obtained from the assumption that the difference between thepp and thep $\bar p$ elastic scattering observed at the CERN ISR is caused by an “odderon-like” term in the scattering amplitude. A wide class of amplitudes violating the Pomeranchuk relation is considered. Contrary to common opinion, severe restrictions on the high-energy behaviour of the phase of the crossing-odd amplitude are shown to follow for the whole class. Less pronounced but still visible consequences follow for the phases of thepp andp $\bar p$ amplitudes separately. We derive the corresponding high-energy bounds and correlations using the general frame of analyticity, crossing symmetry and unitarity. As a special case, the maximal odderon amplitude is discussed.