We consider simple-pole descriptions of soft elastic scattering at small t and s, and allow for the presence of a hard pomeron. We have built and analyzed an exhaustive dataset and we show that simple poles provide an excellent description of the data in the region −0.5 GeV 2 < t < −0.1 GeV 2 , 6 GeV< √ s <63 GeV. We show that new form factors have to be used, and get information on the traject...
