Can we observe the $\sigma$ meson in peripheral heavy ion collisions?

Abstract

We discuss the possible production of the $\sigma$ meson and detection of its two photon decay mode in peripheral heavy ion collisions at RHIC. Assuming the mass and total decay width values reported recently by the E791 Collaboration, we verify that the $\sigma$ meson can be observed in the subprocess $\gamma \gamma \to \gamma \gamma$ if its partial decay width into photons is of the order of a few keV.