l=0 to l=1 Transition Form Factors

Abstract

A method is proposed to extend the hard scattering picture of Brodsky and Lepage to transitions between hadrons with orbital angular momentum l=0 and l=1. The use of covariant spin wave functions turns out to be very helpful in formulating that method. As a first application we construct a light-cone wave function of the nucleon resonance $N^*(1535)$ in the quark-diquark picture. Using this wave function and the extended hard scattering picture, the $N$--$N^*$ transition form factors are calculated at large momentum transfer and the results compared to experimental data. As a further application of our method we briefly discuss the $\pi$--$a_1$ form factors in an appendix.