Inclusive Vector-Meson Production in the Dual Model

Abstract

The cross section for the process $a+b\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{vector}\mathrm{meson}+\mathrm{anything}$ in the central region at high energy is calculated in the dual resonance model. The model predicts that the total cross section for vector-meson production is down by about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ from scalar-meson production at zero perpendicular momenta if the masses are those of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson and pion. The vector meson is predicted to be polarized so that the decay pions tend to be emitted in the direction ${\stackrel{^}{p}}_{a}\ensuremath{-}{\stackrel{^}{p}}_{b}$ in the rest frame of the vector meson. Analytic approximations for the asymptotic dual amplitude, valid for all transverse momenta, are given for the first time.