Spin observables at threshold for meson photoproduction

Abstract

Observables in two-body reactions such as cross sections, polarizations, and spin correlations are often of simple form at threshold, since only a few partial waves contribute. Spin observables near threshold for meson photoproduction reactions (with emphasis on the γp→${\mathit{K}}^{+}$Λ case) are studied in this paper. The expected nodal structure of all sixteen observables near threshold, their evolution with momentum, the role of the centrifugal barrier on threshold multipole amplitudes, and the role of resonance effects on spin observables are discussed.