Measurement of Spin-Density Matrix Elements for $phi$-Meson Photoproduction from Protons and Deuterons Near Threshold

The LEPS/SPring-8 experiment made a comprehensive measurement of the spin-density matrix elements for $gamma p to phi p$, $gamma d to phi p n$ and $gamma d to phi d$ at forward production angles. A linearly polarized photon beam at $E_{gamma}$=1.6-2.4 GeV was used for the production of $phi$ mesons. The natural-parity Pomeron exchange processes remains dominant nearthreshold. The unnatural-parity processes of pseudoscalar exchange is visible in the production from nucleons but is greatly reduced in the coherent production from deuterons. There is no strong $E_{gamma}$-dependence, but some dependence on momentum-transfer. A small but finite value of the spin-density matrix elements reflecting helicity-nonconserving amplitudes in the $t$-channel is observed.