Measurements of the Meson-Photon Transition Form Factors of Light Pseudoscalar Mesons at Large Momentum Transfer

TL;DR

This study measures the electromagnetic transition form factors of light pseudoscalar mesons at high momentum transfer using two-photon production data from the CLEO~II detector, providing insights into meson structure.

Contribution

It provides new experimental measurements of meson-photon transition form factors at large momentum transfers, extending previous data and enabling comparison with theoretical models.

Findings

Form factors measured up to 30 GeV^2 for $ ho^0$, $ ho^+$, and $ ho^-$ mesons.

Results show consistency with certain QCD-based theoretical predictions.

Data constrains models of meson structure and electromagnetic interactions.

Abstract

Using the CLEO~II detector, we have measured the differential cross sections for exclusive two-photon production of light pseudoscalar mesons $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $\eta^{\prime}$. From our measurements we have obtained the form factors associated with the electromagnetic transitions $\gamma^*\gamma$ $\to$ meson. We have measured these form factors in the momentum transfer ranges from 1.5 to 9, 20, and 30 GeV$^2$ for $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $\eta^{\prime}$, respectively, and have made comparisons to various theoretical predictions.