Measurements of the Meson-Photon Transition Form Factors of Light Pseudoscalar Mesons at Large Momentum Transfer

Abstract

Using the CLEO~II detector, we have measured the differential cross sections for exclusive two-photon production of light pseudoscalar mesons $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $\eta^{\prime}$. From our measurements we have obtained the form factors associated with the electromagnetic transitions $\gamma^*\gamma$ $\to$ meson. We have measured these form factors in the momentum transfer ranges from 1.5 to 9, 20, and 30 GeV$^2$ for $\pi^0$, $\eta$, and $\eta^{\prime}$, respectively, and have made comparisons to various theoretical predictions.