Search

The unexpected nodal structure of the beam asymmetry recently reported by the GRAAL collaboration in η′ photoproduction very close to threshold could be explained by a previously unobserved narrow resonance. The BGO-OD experiment is ideally suited to verify this measurement via the detection of forward going charged particles which in the threshold region of interest allows the identification of the reaction γp → η′ p solely based on the proton going in the forward direction. This yields unprecedented statistics if, in the missing mass analysis of the η′ meson, the background can be sufficiently well controlled. Preliminary results using a linearly polarised photon beam are shown. The reaction γp → η′ p was identified in the BGO forward spectrometer, with simulated data used to seperate signal and background.

The BGOOD photoproduction experiment accesses forward meson angles and low momentum exchange kinematics in the uds sector, which may be sensitive to molecular-like hadronic structure. Recent highlights are summarised in these proceedings.

Since the discovery of the Λ(1405), it remains poorly described by conventional constituent quark models, and it is a candidate for having an “exotic” meson-baryon or “penta-quark” structure, similar to states recently reported in the hidden charm sector.The Λ(1405) can be produced in the reactionγpK+Λ(1405). The pure I=0 decay mode into Σ0π0is prohibited for the mass-overlapping Σ(1385). Combining a large aperture forward magnetic spectrometer and a central BGO crystal calorimeter, the BGO-OD experiment is ideally suited to measure this decay with theK+in the forward direction. Preliminary results are presented.*Supported by DFG (PN 388979758, 405882627)

The aim of the project D.3 is the upgrade of several detector components used in the CBELSA/TAPS experiment at ELSA. The readout of the Crystal Barrel Calorimeter will be extended by a timing branch in order to gain trigger capability for the detector, which will allow to measure completely neutral final states in photoproduction reactions (see projects A.1 and C.5). Additionally, the readout of the inner crystals of the TAPS detector, which covers the forward opening of the Crystal Barrel Calorimeter, will be modified to be capable of high event rates due to the intensity upgrade of ELSA. Furthermore, a full-scale prototype Time Projection Chamber (TPC) has been built to be used as a new central tracker for the CBELSA/TAPS experiment at ELSA and the FOPI experiment at GSI.

One aim of this project lies in studying QCD dynamics using photoproduction of η and η′ mesons with the CBELSA/TAPS experiment at the accelerator facility ELSA. Hadronic decay modes of η and η′ are analyzed that allow the study of symmetry breaking effects in QCD. Furthermore, excited η-states produced with a photon beam are studied within the scope of this project. Of special interest is hereby the nature of the η (1405). The high data samples for η - and η′ -photoproduction off the proton allow in addition the determination of polarization observables.

Within project A.1 of the SFB/TR16 “Subnuclear Structure of Matter”, a large amount of data on photoproduction reactions has been accumulated at the Bonn Electron Stretcher Accelerator ELSA with the CBELSA/TAPS detector and was analysed in detail. In particular, data have been taken with unpolarized or with linearly or circularly polarized photons and with unpolarized or with longitudinally or transversely polarized protons. Photoproduction off neutrons was studied to determine the helicity amplitudes for the excitation of resonances off neutrons. In a partial wave analysis of the data, new resonances have been found and the properties of new and of known resonances have been determined, including the measurement of partial widths of so far unmeasured decay modes.