A consistent description of rho0 -> pi pi gamma decays including sigma(500) meson effects

Abstract

A consistent description of $σ(500)$ meson effects in $ρ^0\toπ^0π^0γ$ and $π^+π^-γ$ decays is proposed in terms of reasonably simple amplitudes which reproduce the expected chiral-loop behaviour for large $m_σ$ values. For the neutral case, in addition to the well known $ω$ exchange, there is an important contribution from the $σ(500)$ meson that is in agreement with recent experimental data. For the charged case, where the dominant contribution comes from bremsstrahlung, the effects of the $σ(500)$ meson are relevant only at high values of the photon energy and compatible with present data. A combined analysis of both processes with moderately improved experimental information should contribute decisively to clarify the status of this controversial $σ(500)$ meson.

11 pages, 3 figures, JHEP style. A comment on the O(p^4) ChPT calculation of the four-pseudoscalar amplitudes is included; a new discussion on the effects of our parametrization on the I=J=0 pi-pi phaseshift is also included. Final version accepted for publication