Factorization and scaling in hadronic diffraction

A comprehensive analysis of single diffraction dissociation data on p(p̄)+→pp(p̄)+X from fixed target to collider energies reveals a striking breakdown of factorization, which does not affect the shape of the MX² dependence of the differential cross sections. Phenomenologically, this result can be obtained by postulating a scaling law for hadronic diffraction, which is embedded in the hypothesis of Pomeron flux renormalization introduced to unitarize the triple-Pomeron amplitude.