Proton-$η^\prime$ interactions at threshold

Abstract

Recent data on photoproduction of $η'$ mesons off protons have been included in the data base for the Bonn-Gatchina partial wave analysis. The real and imaginary parts of the $S$-wave $η^\prime p\to η^\prime p$ scattering amplitude in the threshold region were fit to yield the $η^\prime p$ scattering length and the interaction range. This new analysis found $|a_{η^\prime p}|= (0.403\pm 0.015\pm 0.060)$ fm and a phase $ϕ=(87\pm2)^\circ$, while the range parameter is not well-constrained. The striking behavior of the GRAAL data on the beam asymmetry in the threshold region suggests that a narrow proton-$η'$ resonance might exist. However, the scattering length was found to be relatively insensitive to the possible existence of this narrow resonance.

5 pages, 5 figures