PHOTOPRODUCTION OF ETA-MESONS FROM NUCLEI

Calculations have been performed for the photoproduction of eta mesons on nuclear targets to selected discrete states. A recent fit to the H1()1H elementary amplitude was employed in an impulse approximation. Transition densities were determined by comparison with inelastic electron scattering data. Stretched state excitations yield cross sections on the order of tenths of microbarns in the region of the S11(1535). Calculations for photoproduction to selected states demonstrate how experiments can provide the isospin structure of the elementary amplitude. The same experiments can also test models of the N interaction by comparing measured and calculated distortion effects. © 1990 The American Physical Society.