Study of $η$ and $η'$ photoproduction at MAMI

Abstract

The reactions $γp\to ηp$ and $γp\to η' p$ 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 $η$ photoproduction at the energies in vicinity of the $η'$ threshold, $W=1896$MeV ($E_γ=1447$MeV). This behavior is explained in a revised $η$MAID isobar model by a significant branching of the $N(1895)1/2^-$ nucleon resonance to both, $ηp$ and $η' p$, confirming the existence and constraining the properties of this poorly known state.