Phenomenological model for the $\gamma\gamma \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ reaction

Abstract

We present a phenomenological model for the $\gamma\gamma \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ reaction by including the production mechanism of the $a_2(1320)$ resonance, as well as the contributions from the $\sigma/f_0(500)\, \pi^0$ and $f_2(1270)\, \pi^0 $ production channels. Furthermore, the $\gamma\gamma\to\rho^{\pm} \pi^{\mp}\to\pi^{+}\pi^-\pi^0$ channel, which is essential for a description in the low-energy region, is investigated carefully by introducing the complete set of gauge invariant and Lorentz-covariant tensors for the $\gamma\gamma\to\rho^\pm \pi^\mp$ subprocess. The full amplitude is constructed to yield a correct high-energy Regge behavior. Within our model, we achieve a very reasonable description of ARGUS and L3 data of the total cross section, as well as of the $\pi^\pm\pi^0$ and $\pi^+\pi^-$ invariant mass distributions. We also predict the invariant mass distributions in the $\gamma\gamma$ center-of-mass energy range from $0.8$ GeV to $2.0$ GeV, which will be studied by the forthcoming data of the BESIII collaboration.