γγ processes at high energy p-p colliders

The detection of a fundamental charged scalar particle would certainly lead beyond the realm of the standard model (SM). These particles can arise either in the context of supersymmetric models, as superpartners of quarks and leptons or in extended Higgs sectors (with or without supersymmetry). The cross sections for the pair production of heavy charged scalars or fermions via γγ fusion amounts to at best a few % of the corresponding Drell-Yan cross section; in many cases there are additional production mechanisms with even larger cross sections. 15 refs., 2 figs