0000000000121269
AUTHOR
S. Kay
Measurement of the decay η′→π0π0η at MAMI
An experimental study of the eta' -> pi(0)pi(0)eta -> 6 gamma decay has been conducted with the best up-to-date statistical accuracy, by measuring. 0 mesons produced in the gamma p -> eta'p reaction with the A2 tagged-photon facility at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. The results obtained for the standard parametrization of the eta' -> pi(0)pi(0)eta matrix element are consistent with the most recent results for eta' -> pi pi eta decays, but have smaller uncertainties. The available statistics and experimental resolution allowed, for the first time, an observation of a structure below the pi(+)pi(-) thorn p-mass threshold, the magnitude and sign of which, checked within the framewo…
Helicity-dependent cross sections for the photoproduction of π0 pairs from nucleons
The double-polarization observable $E$ and helicity-dependent cross sections $\sigma_{1/2}$, $\sigma_{3/2}$ have been measured for the photoproduction of $\pi^0$ pairs off quasi-free protons and neutrons at the Mainz MAMI accelerator with the Crystal Ball/TAPS setup. A circularly polarized photon beam was produced by bremsstrahlung from longitudinally polarized electrons and impinged on a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The reaction products were detected with an almost $4\pi$ covering calorimeter. The results reveal for the first time the helicity- and isospin-dependent structure of the $\gamma N\rightarrow N\pi^0\pi^0$ reaction. They are compared to predictions from re…
Insight into the narrow structure in η-photoproduction on the neutron from helicity\ud dependent cross sections
The double polarization observable E and the helicity dependent cross sections σ1/2 and σ3/2 were measured for η photoproduction from quasifree protons and neutrons. The circularly polarized tagged photon beam of the A2 experiment at the Mainz MAMI accelerator was used in combination with a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The almost 4π detector setup of the Crystal Ball and TAPS is ideally suited to detect the recoil nucleons and the decay photons from η→2γ and η→3π0. The results show that the narrow structure previously observed in η photoproduction from the neutron is only apparent in σ1/2 and hence, most likely related to a spin-1/2 amplitude. Nucleon resonances that …
Deuteron photodisintegration by polarized photons in the region of the $d^*(2380)$
We report the first large-acceptance measurement of the beam–spin asymmetry for deuteron photodisintegration (γ→d→pn) in the photon energy range 420<Eγ<620MeV. The measurement provides important new constraints on the mechanisms of photodisintegration above the Δ resonance and on the photocoupling of the recently discovered d⁎(2380) hexaquark.
Insight into the Narrow Structure in η Photoproduction on the Neutron from Helicity-Dependent Cross Sections
The double polarization observable E and the helicity dependent cross sections σ1=2 and σ3=2 were measured for η photoproduction from quasifree protons and neutrons. The circularly polarized tagged photon beam of the A2 experiment at the Mainz MAMI accelerator was used in combination with a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The almost 4π detector setup of the Crystal Ball and TAPS is ideally suited to detect the recoil nucleons and the decay photons from η → 2γ and η → 3π0. The results show that the narrow structure previously observed in η photoproduction from the neutron is only apparent in σ1=2 and hence, most likely related to a spin-1=2 amplitude. Nucleon resonances t…
Study of $\eta$ and $\eta'$ photoproduction at MAMI
The reactions $\gamma p\to \eta p$ and $\gamma p\to \eta' p$ have been measured from their thresholds up to the center-of-mass energy $W=1.96$GeV with the tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. Differential cross sections were obtained with unprecedented accuracy, providing fine energy binning and full production-angle coverage. A strong cusp is observed in the total cross section and excitation functions for $\eta$ photoproduction at the energies in vicinity of the $\eta'$ threshold, $W=1896$MeV ($E_\gamma=1447$MeV). This behavior is explained in a revised $\eta$MAID isobar model by a significant branching of the $N(1895)1/2^-$ nucleon resonance to both, $\eta p$ and $\eta'…
First measurement of the polarization observable E and helicity-dependent cross sections in single π 0 photoproduction from quasi-free nucleons
The double-polarization observable $E$ and the helicity-dependent cross sections $\sigma_{1/2}$ and $\sigma_{3/2}$ have been measured for the first time for single $\pi^{0}$ photoproduction from protons and neutrons bound in the deuteron at the electron accelerator facility MAMI in Mainz, Germany. The experiment used a circularly polarized photon beam and a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The reaction products, recoil nucleons and decay photons from the $\pi^0$ meson were detected with the Crystal Ball and TAPS electromagnetic calorimeters. Effects from nuclear Fermi motion were removed by a kinematic reconstruction of the $\pi^{0}N$ final state. A comparison to data mea…
Insight into the narrow structure in {\boldmath{$\eta$}}-photoproduction on the neutron from helicity dependent cross sections
The double polarization observable $E$ and the helicity dependent cross sections $\sigma_{1/2}$ and $\sigma_{3/2}$ were measured for $\eta$ photoproduction from quasi-free protons and neutrons. The circularly polarized tagged photon beam of the A2 experiment at the Mainz MAMI accelerator was used in combination with a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The almost $4\pi$ detector setup of the Crystal Ball and TAPS is ideally suited to detect the recoil nucleons and the decay photons from $\eta\rightarrow 2\gamma$ and $\eta\rightarrow 3\pi^0$. The results show that the narrow structure previously observed in $\eta$ photoproduction from the neutron is only apparent in $\sigma_…
Photoproduction of π 0 mesons off protons and neutrons in the second and third nucleon resonance regions
Photoproduction of mesons off quasi-free nucleons bound in the deuteron allows to study the electromagnetic excitation spectrum of the neutron and the isospin structure of the excitation of nucleon resonances. The database for such reactions is much more sparse than for free proton targets. Single $\pi^0$ photoproduction off quasi-free nucleons from the deuteron was experimentally studied. Nuclear effects were investigated by a comparison of the results for free protons and quasi-free protons and used as a correction for the quasi-free neutron data. The experiment was performed at the tagged photon beam of the Mainz MAMI accelerator for photon energies between 0.45~GeV and 1.4~GeV, using an…
First measurement of helicity-dependent cross sections in Photoproduction From Quasi-free Nucleons
The helicity-dependent cross sections for the photoproduction of π0η pairs have been measured for the first time. The experiment was performed at the tagged photon facility of the Mainz MAMI accelerator with the combined Crystal Ball – TAPS calorimeter. The experiment used a polarized deuterated butanol target and a circularly polarized photon beam. This arrangement allowed the σ1/2 (photon and target spin antiparallel) and σ3/2 (parallel spins) components to be measured for quasi-free production of π0η pairs off protons and neutrons. The main finding is that the two helicity components contribute identically, within uncertainties, for both participant protons and neutrons. The absolute cou…
Measurement of the beam-helicity asymmetry in photoproduction of π0η pairs on carbon, aluminum, and lead
The beam-helicity asymmetry was measured, for the first time, in photoproduction of $\pi^{0}\eta$ pairs on carbon, aluminum, and lead, with the A2 experimental setup at MAMI. The results are compared to an earlier measurement on a free proton and to the corresponding theoretical calculations. The Mainz model is used to predict the beam-helicity asymmetry for the nuclear targets. The present results indicate that the photoproduction mechanism for $\pi^{0}\eta$ pairs on nuclei is similar to photoproduction on a free nucleon. This process is dominated by the $D_{33}$ partial wave with the $\eta\Delta(1232)$ intermediate state.
Study of eta and eta' Photoproduction at MAMI
The reactions γp→ηp and γp→η′p are measured from their thresholds up to the center-of-mass energy W=1.96 GeV with the tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. Differential cross sections are obtained with unprecedented statistical accuracy, providing fine energy binning and full production-angle coverage. A strong cusp is observed in the total cross section for η photoproduction at the energies in the vicinity of the η′ threshold, W=1896 MeV (Eγ=1447 MeV). Within the framework of a revised ηMAID isobar model, the cusp, in connection with a steep rise of the η′ total cross section from its threshold, can only be explained by a strong coupling of the poorly known N(1895)1/2− sta…
Study of η and η' Photoproduction at MAMI
The reactions γp → ηp and γp → η0\ud p are measured from their thresholds up to the center-of-mass\ud energy W ¼ 1.96 GeV with the tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. Differential cross\ud sections are obtained with unprecedented statistical accuracy, providing fine energy binning and full\ud production-angle coverage. A strong cusp is observed in the total cross section for η photoproduction at the\ud energies in the vicinity of the η0 threshold, W ¼ 1896 MeV (Eγ ¼ 1447 MeV). Within the framework of a\ud revised ηMAID isobar model, the cusp, in connection with a steep rise of the η0 total cross section from its\ud threshold, can only be explained by a strong coupling of …
Helicity-dependent cross sections and double-polarization observable E in eta photoproduction from quasi-free protons and neutrons
Precise helicity-dependent cross sections and the double-polarization observable $E$ were measured for $\eta$ photoproduction from quasi-free protons and neutrons bound in the deuteron. The $\eta\rightarrow 2\gamma$ and $\eta\rightarrow 3\pi^0\rightarrow 6\gamma$ decay modes were used to optimize the statistical quality of the data and to estimate systematic uncertainties. The measurement used the A2 detector setup at the tagged photon beam of the electron accelerator MAMI in Mainz. A longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target was used in combination with a circularly polarized photon beam from bremsstrahlung of a longitudinally polarized electron beam. The reaction products were de…
Study of η and η′ Photoproduction at MAMI
The reactions γp→ηp and γp→η′p are measured from their thresholds up to the center-of-mass energy W=1.96 GeV with the tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. Differential cross sections are obtained with unprecedented statistical accuracy, providing fine energy binning and full production-angle coverage. A strong cusp is observed in the total cross section for η photoproduction at the energies in the vicinity of the η′ threshold, W=1896 MeV (Eγ=1447 MeV). Within the framework of a revised ηMAID isobar model, the cusp, in connection with a steep rise of the η′ total cross section from its threshold, can only be explained by a strong coupling of the poorly known N(1895)1/2− …
Measurement of the π0→e+e−γ Dalitz decay at the Mainz Microtron
The Dalitz decay π0→e+e−γ has been measured in the γp→π0p reaction with the A2 tagged-photon facility at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. The value obtained for the slope parameter of the π0 electromagnetic transition form factor, aπ=0.030±0.010tot, is in agreement with existing measurements of this decay and with recent theoretical calculations. The uncertainty obtained in the value of aπ is lower than in previous results based on the π0→e+e−γ decay.
Insight into the Narrow Structure in eta Photoproduction on the Neutron from Helicity-Dependent Cross Sections
The double polarization observable E and the helicity dependent cross sections σ1/2 and σ3/2 were measured for η photoproduction from quasifree protons and neutrons. The circularly polarized tagged photon beam of the A2 experiment at the Mainz MAMI accelerator was used in combination with a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The almost 4π detector setup of the Crystal Ball and TAPS is ideally suited to detect the recoil nucleons and the decay photons from η→2γ and η→3π0. The results show that the narrow structure previously observed in η photoproduction from the neutron is only apparent in σ1/2 and hence, most likely related to a spin-1/2 amplitude. Nucleon resonances that …
First measurement of helicity-dependent cross sections in π0η photoproduction from quasi-free nucleons
The helicity-dependent cross sections for the photoproduction of $\pi^0\eta$ pairs have been measured for the first time. The experiment was performed at the tagged photon facility of the Mainz MAMI accelerator with the combined Crystal Ball - TAPS calorimeter. The experiment used a polarized deuterated butanol target and a circularly polarized photon beam. This arrangement allowed the $\sigma_{1/2}$ (photon and target spin antiparallel) and $\sigma_{3/2}$ (parallel spins) components to be measured for quasi-free production of $\pi^0\eta$ pairs off protons and neutrons. The main finding is that the two helicity components contribute identically, within uncertainties, for both participant pr…
Signatures of the d*(2380) Hexaquark in d(γ,pn→)
We report a measurement of the spin polarization of the recoiling neutron in deuterium photodisintegration, utilizing a new large acceptance polarimeter within the Crystal Ball at MAMI. The measured photon energy range of 300-700 MeV provides the first measurement of recoil neutron polarization at photon energies where the quark substructure of the deuteron plays a role, thereby providing important new constraints on photodisintegration mechanisms. A very high neutron polarization in a narrow structure centered around E_{γ}∼570 MeV is observed, which is inconsistent with current theoretical predictions employing nucleon resonance degrees of freedom. A Legendre polynomial decomposition sugge…
Measurement of the decay η′→π0π0η at MAMI
An experimental study of the η′→π0π0η→6γ decay has been conducted with the best up-to-date statistical accuracy, by measuring η′ mesons produced in the γp→η′p reaction with the A2 tagged-photon facility at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. The results obtained for the standard parametrization of the η′→π0π0η matrix element are consistent with the most recent results for η′→ππη decays, but have smaller uncertainties. The available statistics and experimental resolution allowed, for the first time, an observation of a structure below the π+π− mass threshold, the magnitude and sign of which, checked within the framework of the nonrelativistic effective-field theory, demonstrated good agreement with t…