Real and virtual $N\bar{N}$ pair production near the threshold

Abstract

Nucleon-antinucleon optical potential, which explains the experimental data for the processes $e^{+}e^{-}\rightarrow p\bar{p}$ and $e^{+}e^{-}\rightarrow\mbox{pions}$ near the threshold of $p\bar{p}$ pair production, is suggested. To obtain this potential we have used the available experimental data for $p\bar{p}$ scattering, $p\bar{p}$ pair production in $e^{+}e^{-}$ annihilation, and the ratio of electromagnetic form factors of a proton in the timelike region. It turns out that final-state interaction via the optical potential allows one to reproduce the available experimental data with good accuracy. Our results for the cross sections of $e^{+}e^{-}\to6\pi$ process near the threshold of $p\bar{p}$ pair production are in agreement with the recent experiments.