Isoscalar-Isovector Interferences in $\pi N \to N e^+ e^-$ Reactions as a Probe of Baryon Resonance Dynamics

Abstract

The isoscalar-isovector ($\rho-\omega$) interferences in the exclusive reactions $\pi^- p \to n e^+ e^-$ and $\pi^+ n \to p e^+ e^-$ near the $\omega$ threshold leads to a distinct difference of the dielectron invariant mass distributions depending on beam energy. The strength of this effect is determined by the coupling of resonances to the nucleon vector-meson channels and other resonance properties. Therefore, a combined analysis of these reactions can be used as a tool for determining the baryon resonance dynamics.