Bochum 2009 – scientific programme

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HK: Fachverband Hadronen und Kerne

HK 56: Hadron Structure and Spectroscopy I

HK 56.5: Talk

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 17:45–18:00, H-ZO 20

Neutral decays of the η meson at MAMI — •Marc Unverzagt — Institut für Kernphysik, Universität Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 45, 55099 Mainz, Germany

Neutral decays of the η meson were studied within the A2-collaboration at the MAMI accelerator in Mainz. The main emphases were the branching ratio of the π⁰ γ γ decay and the Dalitz plot parameter of the isospin violating 3π⁰ decay, which are tests for chiral perturbation theory. Furthermore, the η photoproduction threshold off protons was investigated to precisely determine the η meson mass.

η mesons were produced in the γ p → η p reaction, using the high intensity tagged photon facility of MAMI and a liquid hydrogen target. The η decay products and recoil protons were measured with the Crystal Ball and TAPS large acceptance detectors, covering 94 % of the full solid angle.

Physical issues of the neutral η decays, the experimental set-up and recent results will be discussed.