No Arabic abstract
Amplitude and partial wave analyses for pion, eta or kaon photoproduction are discussed in the context of `complete experiments. It is shown that the model-independent helicity amplitudes obtained from at least 8 polarization observables including beam, target and recoil polarization can not be used to determine underlying resonance parameters. However, a truncated partial wave analysis, which theoretically requires only 5 observables will be possible with minimal model input.
By exploiting the underlying symmetries of the relative phases of the pseudoscalar meson photoproduction amplitude, we determine all the possible sets of four double-spin observables that resolve the phase ambiguity of the amplitude in transversity basis up to an overall phase. The present results corroborate the original findings by Chiang and Tabakin [Phys. Rev. C 55, 2054 (1997)]. However, it is found that the completeness condition of four double-spin observables to resolve the phase ambiguity holds only when the relative phases do not meet the condition of equal magnitudes. In situations where this condition occurs, it is shown that one needs extra chosen observables, resulting in the minimum number of observables required to resolve the phase ambiguity to reach up to eight, depending on the particular set of four double-spin observables considered. Furthermore, a way of gauging when the condition of equal magnitudes occurs is provided.
[Background] A complete set is a minimum set of observables which allows one to determine the underlying reaction amplitudes unambiguously. Pseudoscalar-meson photoproduction from the nucleon is characterized by four such amplitudes and complete sets involve single- and double-polarization observables. [Purpose] Identify complete sets of observables, and study how measurements with finite error bars impact their potential to determine the reaction amplitudes unambiguously. [Method] The authors provide arguments to employ the transversity representation in order to determine the amplitudes in pseudoscalar-meson photoproduction. It is studied whether the amplitudes in the transversity basis for the $gamma p to K^+Lambda$ reaction can be estimated without ambiguity. To this end, data from the GRAAL collaboration and mock data from a realistic model are analyzed. [Results] It is illustrated that the moduli of normalized transversity amplitudes can be determined from precise single-polarization data. Starting from mock data with achievable experimental resolution, it is quite likely to obtain imaginary solutions for the relative phases of the amplitudes. Also the real solutions face a discrete phase ambiguity which makes it impossible to obtain a statistically significant solution for the relative phases at realistic experimental conditions. [Conclusions] Single polarization observables are effective in determining the moduli of the amplitudes in a transversity basis. Determining the relative phases of the amplitudes from double-polarization observables is far less evident. The availability of a complete set of observables does not allow one to unambiguously determine the reaction amplitudes with statistical significance.
Energy-dependent and single-energy fits to the existing nucleon-nucleon database have been updated to incorporate recent measurements. The fits cover a region from threshold to 3 GeV, in the laboratory kinetic energy, for proton-proton scattering, with an upper limit of 1.3 GeV for neutron-proton scattering. Experiments carried out at the COSY-WASA and COSY-ANKE facilities have had a significant impact on the partial-wave solutions. Results are discussed in terms of both partial-wave and direct reconstruction amplitudes.
Spin-observables in pseudoscalar meson photoproduction is discussed. This work is complementary to the earlier works on this topic. Here, the reaction amplitude is expressed in Pauli-spin basis which allows to calculate all the observables straightforwardly. We make use of the fact that the underlying reflection symmetry about the reaction plane can be most conveniently and easily exploited in this basis to help finding the non-vanishing and independent observables in this reaction. The important issue of complete experiments is reviewed. By expressing the reaction amplitude in Pauli-spin basis, many sets of eight observables - distinct from those found in earlier works from the amplitude in transversity basis - capable of determining the reaction amplitude up to an overall phase are found. It is also shown that some of the combinations of the spin observables are suited for studying certain aspects of the reaction dynamics. We, then, carry out a (strictly) model-independent partial-wave analysis, in particular, of the peculiar angular behavior of the beam asymmetry observed in eta photoproduction very close to threshold [P. Levi Sandri et al. 2015 Eur. Phys. J. A 51, 77]. This work should be useful, especially, for newcomers in the field of baryon spectroscopy, where the photoproduction reactions are a major tool for probing the baryon spectra.
Pseudoscalar-meson photoproduction is characterized by four complex reaction amplitudes. A complete set is a minimum theoretical set of observables that allow to determine these amplitudes unambiguously. It is studied whether complete sets remain complete when experimental uncertainty is involved. To this end, data from the GRAAL Collaboration and simulated data from a realistic model, both for the $gamma p to K^+ Lambda$ reaction, are analyzed in the transversity representation of the reaction amplitudes. It is found that only the moduli of the transversity amplitudes can be determined without ambiguity but not the relative phases.