Systematic Regge theory analysis of omega photoproduction

Abstract

Systematic analysis of available data for $\omega$-meson photoproduction is given in frame of Regge theory. At photon energies above 20 GeV the $\gamma{+}p{\to}\omega{+}p$ reaction is entirely dominated by Pomeron exchange. However, it was found that Pomeron exchange model can not reproduce the $\gamma{+}p{\to}\rho{+}p$ and $\gamma{+}p{\to}\omega{+}p$ data at high energies simultaneously with the same set of parameters. The comparison between $\rho$ and $\omega$ data indicates a large room for meson exchange contribution to $\omega$-meson photoproduction at low energies. It was found that at low energies the dominant contribution comes from $\pi$ and $f_2$-meson exchanges. There is smooth transition between the meson exchange model at low energies and Regge theory at high energies.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, revtex