Vector mesons $rho, rho$ and $rho$ diffractively photo- and leptoproduced

In the framework of non-perturbative QCD we calculate high-energy diffractive production of vector mesons $rh, rh$ and $rh$ by real and virtual photons on a nucleon. The initial photon dissociates into a $qbar{q}$-dipole and transforms into a vector meson by scattering off the nucleon which, for simplicity, is represented as quark-diquark. The relevant dipole-dipole scattering amplitude is provided by the non-perturbative model of the stochastic QCD vacuum. The wave functions result from considerations in the frame of light-front dynamics; the physical $rh$- and $rh$-mesons are assumed to be mixed states of an active 2S-excitation and some residual rest (2D- and/or hybrid state). We obtain good agreement with the experimental data and get an understanding of the markedly different $pi^+pi^-$-mass spectra for photoproduction and $e^+e^-$-annihilation.