Measurement of the total cross-section and soft diffraction by the ATLAS and TOTEM experiments at the LHC

This paper reviews measurements of the total proton–proton cross-section at 7 TeV and 8 TeV by the ATLAS and TOTEM collaboration at the LHC. Similarities and differences between the two experiments are discussed. Some results on soft diffraction are also reviewed. The paper ends with a discussion of prospects and future plans of both experiments.