Exclusive diffractive production of π+π-π+π- via the intermediate σσ and ρρ states in proton-proton collisions within tensor Pomeron approach

We present first predictions of the cross sections and differential distributions for the central exclusive reaction pp -> pp pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) being studied at RHIC and LHC. The amplitudes for the processes are formulated in terms of the tensor Pomeron and tensor f (2R) Reggeon exchanges with the vertices respecting the standard crossing and charge-conjugation relations of quantum field theory. The sigma sigma and rho rho contributions to the pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) final state are considered, focusing on their specificities. The correct inclusion of the Pomeron spin structure seems crucial for the considered sequential mechanisms, in particular for the rho rho contribution which is treated here for the first time. The mechanism considered gives a significant contribution to the pp -> pp pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) reaction. We adjust parameters of our model to the CERN-ISR experimental data and present several predictions for the STAR, ALICE, ATLAS, and CMS experiments. A measurable cross section of order of a few mu b is obtained, including the experimental cuts relevant for the LHC experiments. We show the influence of the experimental cuts on the integrated cross section and on various differential distributions.