Exclusive tensor meson photoproduction

Abstract

We study tensor meson photoproduction outside of the resonance region, at beam energies of a few GeVs. We build a model based on Regge theory that includes the leading vector and axial exchanges. We consider two determinations of the unknown helicity couplings and fit to the recent ${a}_{2}$ photoproduction data from CLAS. Both choices give a similar description of the ${a}_{2}$ cross section but result in different predictions for the parity asymmetries and the ${f}_{2}$ photoproduction cross section. We conclude that new measurements of ${f}_{2}$ photoproduction in the forward region are needed to pin down the correct production mechanism. We also extend our predictions to the 8.5 GeV beam energy, where current experiments are running.