Exclusive $\rho^0$ meson electroproduction from hydrogen at CLAS

TL;DR

This paper reports measurements of the cross sections for exclusive $ ho^0$ meson electroproduction on hydrogen, comparing results with theoretical models based on Regge theory and Generalized Parton Distributions, across various kinematic ranges.

Contribution

First detailed separation of longitudinal and transverse cross sections for $ ho^0$ electroproduction at CLAS, testing Regge and GPD models against experimental data.

Findings

Transverse cross section matches Regge model predictions.

Longitudinal cross section aligns with GPD-based calculations.

Data covers $x_B$ from 0.2 to 0.6 and $Q^2$ from 1.5 to 3.0 GeV$^2$.

Abstract

The longitudinal and transverse components of the cross section for the $e p\to e^\prime p \rho^0$ reaction were measured in Hall B at Jefferson Laboratory using the CLAS detector. The data were taken with a 4.247 GeV electron beam and were analyzed in a range of $x_B$ from 0.2 to 0.6 and of $Q^2$ from 1.5 to 3.0 GeV$^2$. The data are compared to a Regge model based on effective hadronic degrees of freedom and to a calculation based on Generalized Parton Distributions. It is found that the transverse part of the cross section is well described by the former approach while the longitudinal part can be reproduced by the latter.