Production of a₀-mesons in the reactions πN↦a₀N and pp↦da₀ ⁺ at GeV energies

Abstract:

We investigate the reactions πN↦a ₀ N and pp↦da ₀ ⁺ near threshold and at medium energies. An effective Lagragian approach and the Regge pole model are applied to analyze different contributions to the cross-section of the reaction πN↦a ₀ N. These results are used to calculate the differential and total cross-sections of the reaction pp↦da ₀ ⁺ within the framework of the two-step model in which two nucleons produce an a₀-meson via π-meson exchange and fuse to a deuteron. The necessity of new measurements on a₀ production and branching fractions (of its decay to the K and πη channels) is emphasized for clarifying the a₀ structure. Detailed predictions for the reaction pp→da ₀ ⁺ are presented for the energy regime of the proton synchrotron COSY-Jülich.