High statistics study of ω⁰ production at 6 GeV/c

The spin-projected cross sections for $omega$$sup 0$ production at 6 GeV/ c were measured in a counter-spark chamber experiment at the Zero Gradient Synchrotron of Argonne National Laboratory. Results are presented for a sample of 25,000 $omega$$sup 0$ events, and critical tests are shown for any residual background. The reaction is dominated by the s-channel natural-parity helicity one projection (rho$sub 11$ + rho/sub 1-1) dsigma/dt which shows a turnover in the forward direction and no strong dip at t = 0.6 (GeV/c)$sup 2$. The unnatural- parity helicity-zero cross section rho$sub 00$ dsigma/dt shows no forward turnover suggesting a sizeable helicity-nonflip contribution. Comparisons are made with the predictions of a Regge exchange model with absorptive corrections. (auth