Three-body analysis of incoherent $\eta$-photoproduction on the deuteron in the near threshold region

Abstract

A three-body calculation of the reaction $\gamma d\to\eta np$ in the energy region from threshold up to 30 MeV above has been performed. The primary goal of this study is to assess the importance of the three-body aspects in the hadronic sector of this reaction. Results are presented for the $\eta$-meson spectrum as well as for the total cross section. The three-body results differ significantly from those predicted by a simple rescattering model in which only first-order $\eta N$- and $NN$-interactions in the final state are considered. The major features of the experimental data are well reproduced although right at threshold the rather large total cross section could not be explained.