Hadron interferences in the proton induced coherent $\eta$ meson production reaction on a scalar-isovector nucleus

Abstract

The coherent $\eta$ meson energy $E_\eta$ distribution spectra in the proton nucleus reaction have been calculated to investigate the $\pi^0 - \eta$ mesons' interference, in addition to the study of resonance $N^*$ dynamics in the nucleus. The elementary reaction occurring in the nucleus is assumed to proceed as $ pN \to pN^* $; $ N^* \to N\eta $. Born terms in the intermediate state is also considered. In a scalar-isovector nucleus, this reaction occurs because of $\pi^0$ and $\eta$ meson exchange interactions for the forward going proton and $\eta$ meson; other meson exchange potentials do not contribute in this process. The sensitivity of the cross section to the hadron nucleus interactions, and the beam energy dependence of the cross section are studied for this reaction.