The pi N -> pi pi N reaction around the N(1440) energy

We study the pi N -> pi pi N reaction around the N(1440) mass-shell energy. Considering the total cross sections and invariant mass distributions, we discuss the role of N(1440) and its decay processes. The calculation is performed by extending our previous approach [Phys. Rev. C 69, 025206 (2004)] to this reaction, in which only the nucleon and Delta(1232) were considered as intermediate baryon states. The characteristics observed in the recent data for the pi- p -> pi0 pi0 n reaction obtained by Crystal Ball Collaboration (CBC), can be understood as a strong interference between the two decay processes: N(1440) -> pi Delta(1232) and N(1440) -> N(pi pi)_S. It is also found that the scalar-isoscalar pi pi rescattering effect in the NN*(pi pi)_S vertex, which corresponds to the propagation of sigma meson, seems to be necessary for explain ing the several observables of the pi N -> pi pi N reaction: the large asymmetric shape in the pi0-pi0 invariant mass distributions of the pi- p -> pi0 pi0 n reaction and the pi+ p -> pi+ pi+ n total cross section.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figures. Version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Axial anomaly and the interplay of quark loops with pseudoscalar and vector mesons in the gamma* --> pi+ pi0 pi- process

Motivated by the ongoing measurements of the Primakoff process pi- gamma* --> pi- pi0 by COMPASS collaboration at CERN, the transition form factor for the canonical anomalous process gamma* --> pi+ pi0 pi- is calculated in a constituent quark loop model. The simplest contribution to this process is the quark "box" amplitude. In the present paper we also explicitly include the vector meson degrees of freedom, i.e., the rho and the omega, thus giving rise to additional, resonant contributions. We find that in order to satisfy the axial anomaly result, a further subtraction in the resonant part is needed. The results are then compared with the vector meson dominance model as well as the Dyson--Schwinger calculations, the chiral perturbation theory result, and the available data.Comment: 21 pages, 8 eps figures, revtex4, a factor of 2 in resonant contribution corrected, three figures revised and one added, discussion enlarged and references adde

Electroproduction, photoproduction, and inverse electroproduction of pions in the first resonance region

Methods are set forth for determining the hadron electromagnetic structure in the sub-$N\bar{N}$-threshold timelike region of the virtual-photon ``mass'' and for investigating the nucleon weak structure in the spacelike region from experimental data on the process $\pi N\to e^+e^- N$ at low energies. These methods are formulated using the unified description of photoproduction, electroproduction, and inverse electroproduction of pions in the first resonance region in the framework of the dispersion-relation model and on the basis of the model-independent properties of inverse electroproduction. Applications of these methods are also shown.Comment: The revised published version; Revtex4, 18 pages, 6 figure

Resonant behaviour in double charge exchange reaction of \pi^+ mesons on the nuclear photoemulsion

The invariant mass spectra of the $pp\pi^-$ and $pp$ systems produced in the double charge exchange (DCX) of positively charged pions on photoemulsion are analysed. A pronounced peak is observed in the $pp\pi^-$ invariant mass spectrum, while the $M_{pp}$ spectrum exhibits a strong Migdal-Watson effect of the proton-proton final state interaction. These findings are in favor of the $NN$-decoupled $NN\pi$ pseudoscalar resonance with T=0 called $d'$.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, revised versio

Spin physics with antiprotons

New possibilities arising from the availability at GSI of antiproton beams, possibly polarised, are discussed. The investigation of the nucleon structure can be boosted by accessing in Drell-Yan processes experimental asymmetries related to cross-sections in which the parton distribution functions (PDF) only appear, without any contribution from fragmentation functions; such processes are not affected by the chiral suppression of the transversity function $h_1(x)$. Spin asymmetries in hyperon production and Single Spin Asymmetries are discussed as well, together with further items like electric and magnetic nucleonic form factors and open charm production. Counting rates estimations are provided for each physical case. The sketch of a possible experimental apparatus is proposed.Comment: Presented for the proceedings of ASI "Spin and Symmetry", Prague, July 5-10, 2004, to be published in Czech. J. Phys. 55 (2005

Bruno Pontecorvo selected scientific works: recollections on Bruno Pontecorvo

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bruno Pontecorvo, the Italian Physical Society (Società Italiana di Fisica, SIF) in Italy and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR, Dubna) in Russia have decided to publish a new expanded edition of the volume "B. Pontecorvo Selected Scientific Works - Recollections on B. Pontecorvo" (Società Italiana di Fisica, Bologna, 1997)