Exclusive double-diffractive production of open charm in proton-proton and proton-antiproton collisions

We calculate differential cross sections for exclusive double diffractive (EDD) production of open charm in proton-proton and proton-antiproton collisions. Sizeable cross sections are found. The EDD contribution constitutes about 1% of the total inclusive cross section for open charm production. A few differential distributions are shown and discussed. The EDD contribution falls faster both with transverse momentum of the c quark/antiquark and the cc¯ invariant mass than in the inclusive case.