Observation of a unitary cusp in the threshold γp -> π^{0}p reaction

Abstract

A rigorous multipole analysis of the recent γp -> π^{0}p cross section measurement is presented. The data were taken using the photon spectrometer TAPS at the tagged photon beam of the Mainz microtron. The s and p wave multipoles were extracted using minimal model assumptions. The predicted unitary cusp for the s wave multipole E_{0+} due to the two step γp -> π^{+}n -> π^{0}p reaction was observed. The results are consistent with one loop chiral perturbation theory calculations for which three low energy constants have been determined by a fit to the data. The uncertainties in the analysis and the need for polarization observables are discussed.