Forward Photoproduction ofπ+andK+Mesons in the Regge-Pole Model

Abstract

High-energy forward photoproduction of ${\pi }^{+}$ and $K^{+}$ are analyzed and compared in the Regge-pole model. It is pointed out that, despite the apparent difference in the shape of the differential cross section for the two processes, existing data are consistent with the exchange of a parity doublet $\pi$, ${\pi }_c$ or $K$, $K_c$ as the case may be. The differences arise from the equal and unequal baryon mass kinematics involved in the two cases, respectively.