Real Compton Scattering via Color Dipoles

We study photoabsorption reaction and real Compton scattering (RCS) within the color dipole model. We rely on a photon wave function derived in the instanton vacuum model, and on the energy dependent phenomenological elastic dipole amplitude. Data for the photoabsorption cross section at high energies agree with our parameter free calculations. We also provide predictions for the differential RCS cross section. Although no data for small angle Compton scattering are available so far, this process can be measured in ultra-peripheral hadronic and nuclear collisions at the LHC.