A covariant model for the $\gamma^\ast N \to N^\ast(1520)$ reaction

Abstract

We apply the covariant spectator quark model to the study of the electromagnetic structure of the $N^\ast(1520)$ state ($J^{P}= \frac{3}{2}^-$), an important resonance from the second resonance region in both spacelike and timelike regimes. The contributions from the valence quark effects are calculated for the $\gamma^\ast N \to N^\ast(1520)$ helicity amplitudes. The results are used to parametrize the meson cloud dominant at low $Q^2$.