We propose a new model for a homogeneous description of hadron-hadron and hadron-nucleus
collisions, the Gluon Exchange Model (GEM). While technically our model can be regarded as
a generalization of the Dual Parton Model by Capella and Tran Thanh Van, it is fundamentally
based on the number of exchanged color octets (gluons) and significantly extends the Fock space
of states available for the participating protons and nucleons.
In proton-proton collisions we provide an exact description of the final state proton and neutron
spectrum. What is remarkable is that unlike the original DPM, GEM successfully describes the
proton “diffractive peak” at high $x_F$ as a specific case of color octet exchange.
In proton-nucleus reactions we find that the projectile proton diquark, composed of two valence
quarks, cannot survive in more than about half of multiple proton-nucleon processes. Consequently
it must be very frequently disintegrated, leading to long transfers of baryon number over rapidity
space.