Modified Continuous-Moment Sum Rule and the Pomeranchon

A modified form of the continuous-moment sum rule is employed to investigate whether or not the Pomeranchon intercept ${\alpha }_P$, deviates from its maximal value of unity in the forward direction. This sum rule contains a continuously varying power of the amplitude, in addition to the usual continuously-varying moment. Two particular cases, corresponding to the first and the second powers of the amplitude, are analyzed in terms of unconstrained three-pole models. The two resulting solutions agree within the errors. They have essentially the same value of ${\alpha }_P$, viz., 0.988±0.01. Both give excellent fits to high-energy data The value quoted above is favored over unity, although it is consistent with unity.