Study of tensor states in the reaction $\gamma\gamma \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$

Abstract

A high statistics study of the reaction $\gamma\gamma\to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ has been performed with the Belle detector using a data sample of 26 fb$^{-1}$ collected at $\sqrt{s}=10.58\GeVcsq$. A spin-parity analysis shows dominance of the $J^P=2^+$ helicity 2 wave for three-pion invariant masses from 1 to 3 \GeVcsq. The invariant mass distribution exhibits $a_2(1320)$, $a_2(1700)$ and higher mass enhancements.