Eta photoproduction in a combined analysis of pion- and photon-induced reactions

The $eta N$ final state is isospin-selective and thus provides access to the spectrum of excited nucleons without being affected by excited $Delta$ states. To this end, the world database on eta photoproduction off the proton up to a center-of-mass energy of $Esim 2.3$ 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 $pi Nto pi N$, $eta N$, $KLambda$ and $KSigma$. For the analysis, the so-called Julich 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.

First Measurement of the Polarization Observable E in the $vec p(vec gamma,pi^+)n$ Reaction up to 2.25 GeV

First results from the longitudinally polarized frozen-spin target (FROST) program are reported. The double-polarization observable E, for the reaction $vec gamma vec p to pi^+n$, has been measured using a circularly polarized tagged-photon beam, with energies from 0.35 to 2.37 GeV. The final-state pions were detected with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer in Hall B at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. These polarization data agree fairly well with previous partial-wave analyses at low photon energies. Over much of the covered energy range, however, significant deviations are observed, particularly in the high-energy region where high-L multipoles contribute. The data have been included in new multipole analyses resulting in updated nucleon resonance parameters. We report updated fits from the Bonn-Gatchina, Julich, and SAID groups.

Photocouplings at the Pole from Pion Photoproduction

The reactions $gamma ptopi^0 p$ and $gamma ptopi^+ n$ are analyzed in a semi-phenomenological approach up to $Esim2.3$ 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 Julich2012 dynamical coupled-channel model -which describes elastic $pi N$ scattering and the world data base of the reactions $pi Ntoeta N$, $KLambda$, and $KSigma$ 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.

The role of the N*(1535) resonance and the pi^- p --> KY amplitudes in the OZI forbidden pi N --> phi N reaction

We study the pi N --> phi N reaction close to the phi N threshold within the chiral unitary approach, by combining the pi^- p --> K^+ Sigma^-, pi^- p --> K^0 Sigma^0 and pi^- p --> K^0 Lambda amplitudes with the coupling of the phi to the K components of the final states of these reactions via quantum loops. We obtain a good agreement with experiment when the dominant pi^- p --> K^0 Lambda amplitude is constrained with its experimental cross section. We also evaluate the coupling of the N*(1535) to phi N and find a moderate coupling as a consequence of partial cancellation of the large KY components of the N*(1535). We also show that the N*(1535) pole approximation is too small to reproduce the measured cross section for the pi N --> phi N reaction.

Photo- and Electron-Production of Mesons on Nucleons and Nuclei

In these lectures I will show some results obtained with the chiral unitary approach applied to the photo and electroproduction of mesons. The results for photoproduction of $eta pi^0 p$ and $K^0 pi^0 Sigma^+$, together with related reactions will be shown, having with common denominator the excitation of the $Delta(1700)$ resonance which is one of those dynamically generated in the chiral unitary approach. Then I will show results obtained for the $e^+ e^- to phi f_0(980)$ reaction which reproduce the bulk of the data except for a pronounced peak, giving support to a new mesonic resonance, X(2175). Results will also be shown for the electromagnetic form factors of the $N^*(1535)$ resonance, also dynamically generated in this approach. Finally, I will show some results on the photoproduction of the $omega$ in nuclei, showing that present experimental results claiming a shift of the $omega$ mass in the medium are tied to a particular choice of background and are not conclusive. One the other hand, the same experimental results show unambiguously a huge increase of the $omega$ width in the nuclear medium.