Systematic Regge theory analysis of omega photoproduction

Abstract

Systematic analysis of available data for $ω$-meson photoproduction is given in frame of Regge theory. At photon energies above 20 GeV the $γ{+}p{\to}ω{+}p$ reaction is entirely dominated by Pomeron exchange. However, it was found that Pomeron exchange model can not reproduce the $γ{+}p{\to}ρ{+}p$ and $γ{+}p{\to}ω{+}p$ data at high energies simultaneously with the same set of parameters. The comparison between $ρ$ and $ω$ data indicates a large room for meson exchange contribution to $ω$-meson photoproduction at low energies. It was found that at low energies the dominant contribution comes from $π$ and $f_2$-meson exchanges. There is smooth transition between the meson exchange model at low energies and Regge theory at high energies.

7 pages, 8 figures, revtex4