Eta-meson photoproduction on protons, neutrons, and light nuclei in the nucleon-resonance region

• Published in: Physics of atomic nuclei Vol. 72; no. 10; pp. 1773 - 1780
• Main Authors: Ignatov, A. S., Mushkarenkov, A. N., Nedorezov, V. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01-10-2009
• Subjects: Elementary Particles and Fields; Particle and Nuclear Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; 21.65.Jk
• ISSN: 1063-7788; 1562-692X
• DOI: 10.1134/S1063778809100202

Eta-meson photoproduction on protons, neutrons, and light nuclei is reviewed. New results obtained for photoproduction on protons and neutrons at the GRAAL facility are analyzed in detail. The experiment in question was performed in a gamma-ray beam that was obtained by means of Compton backscattering of laser photons on electrons at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, Grenoble, France). A comparative analysis of data on the differential cross sections and the asymmetries for eta-meson photoproduction allowed us to reveal some special features and to study the mechanisms of eta-meson photoproduction on nucleons in detail. Data available from the literature on eta-meson photoproduction on light nuclei are discussed in detail. Results that suggest the existence of bound states (etamesic nuclei) are presented. Particular attention is given to the newmethod of “taggedmesons,” which, according to the GRAAL experiment and to simulated results, makes it possible to study thoroughly the interaction of unstable mesons with intranuclear nucleons.