Mechanisms of the Reaction $π^-p\to a^0_0(980)n\toπ^0ηn$ at High Energies

Abstract

Over the last twenty years, it was assumed that the reaction $π^-p\to a^0_0(980)n\toπ^0ηn$ at high energies is dominated by $b_1$ Regge pole exchange. We show that the new Brookhaven and Serpukhov data on the $t$ distributions for this reaction can be explained within the framework of the Regge pole model only if the $ρ_2$ Regge pole exchange conspiring with its daughter plays a crucial role. The tentative estimates of the absolute $π^-p\to a^0_0(980)n\toπ^0ηn$ reaction cross section are obtained. The contributions of the one-pion exchange mechanism and the Regge cuts are also estimated.