η meson production in both proton-proton and proton-neutron collisions is investigated within a relativistic meson exchange model of hadronic interactions. It is found that the available cross section data can be described equally well by either the vector or pseudoscalar meson exchange mechanism for exciting the S 11 (1535) resonance. It is shown that the analyzing power data can potentially be very useful in distinguishing these two scenarios for the excitaion of the S 11 (1535) resonance.

The reactions γp → π 0 p and γp → π + n are analyzed in a semi-phenomenological approach up to E ∼ 2.3 GeV. Fits to differential cross section and single and double polarization observables are performed. A good overall reproduction of the available photoproduction data is achieved. The Jülich2012 dynamical coupled-channel model -which describes elastic πN scattering and the world data base of the reactions πN → ηN , KΛ, and KΣ at the same time -is employed as the hadronic interaction in the final state. The framework guarantees analyticity and, thus, allows for a reliable extraction of resonance parameters in terms of poles and residues. In particular, the photocouplings at the pole can be extracted and are presented.

Elastic πN scattering and the world data of the family of reactions π − p → ηn, K 0 Λ, K 0 Σ 0 , K + Σ − , and π + p → K + Σ + are described simultaneously in an analytic, unitary, coupled-channel approach. SU(3) flavor symmetry is used to relate both the t-and the u-channel exchanges that drive the meson-baryon interaction in the different channels. Angular distributions, polarizations, and spin-rotation parameters are compared with available experimental data. Partial-wave amplitudes are determined and the resonance content is extracted from the analytic continuation, including resonance positions and branching ratios, and possible sources of uncertainties are discussed. The results provide the final-state interactions for the ongoing analysis of photo-and electroproduction data.

A fully gauge-invariant (pseudoscalar) meson photoproduction amplitude off a nucleon including the final-state interaction is derived. The approach based on a comprehensive field-theoretical formalism developed earlier by one of the authors replaces certain dynamical features of the full interaction current by phenomenological auxiliary contact currents. A procedure is outlined that allows for a systematic improvement of this approximation. The feasibility of the approach is illustrated by applying it to both the neutral and charged pion photoproductions.

No abstract

The ηN final state is isospin-selective and thus provides access to the spectrum of excited nucleons without being affected by excited ∆ states. To this end, the world database on eta photoproduction off the proton up to a center-of-mass energy of E ∼ 2.3 GeV is analyzed, including data on differential cross sections, and single and double polarization observables. The resonance spectrum and its properties are determined in a combined analysis of eta and pion photoproduction off the proton together with the reactions πN → πN , ηN , KΛ and KΣ. For the analysis, the so-called Jülich coupled-channel framework is used, incorporating unitarity, analyticity, and effective three-body channels. Parameters tied to photoproduction and hadronic interactions are varied simultaneously. The influence of recent MAMI T and F asymmetry data on the eta photoproduction amplitude is discussed in detail.

The photoproduction reaction γN → KKΞ is investigated based on a relativistic meson-exchange model of hadronic interactions. The production amplitude is calculated in the tree-level approximation from relevant effective Lagrangians, whose (coupling constant) parameters are mostly fixed from the empirical data and/or quark models together with SU(3) symmetry considerations. Gauge invariance of the resulting amplitude is maintained by introducing the contact currents by extending the gauge-invariant approach of Haberzettl for one-meson photoproduction to two-meson photoproduction. The role of the intermediate low-lying hyperons and of the intermediate higher-mass hyperon resonances are analyzed in detail. In particular, the basic features of the production of Ξ − (1318) in γp → K + K + Ξ − and their possible manifestations in the forthcoming experimental data are discussed.

Abstract. Quasi-free photoproduction of η -mesons off nucleons bound in the deuteron has been measured with the combined Crystal Barrel -TAPS detector. The experiment was done at a tagged photon beam of the ELSA electron accelerator in Bonn for incident photon energies from the production threshold up to 2.5 GeV. The η -mesons have been detected in coincidence with recoil protons and recoil neutrons. The quasi-free proton data are in good agreement with the results for free protons, indicating that nuclear effects have no significant impact. The coincidence with recoil neutrons provides the first data for the γn → nη reaction. In addition, also first estimates for coherent η -production off the deuteron have been obtained. In agreement with model predictions, the total cross-section for this channel is found to be very small, at most at the level of a few nb. The data are compared to model calculations taking into account contributions from nucleon resonances and t-channel exchanges.