High statistics study of ω0 production

The spin-projected cross sections for ω0 production at 6 GeV/c have been 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 ω0 events and critical tests are shown for any residual background. The reaction is dominated by the s-channel natural-parity helicity one projection (rho11 + rho/sub 1-1/) dsigma/dt which shows a turnover in the forward direction and no strong dip at t = 0.6 (GeV/c)2. The unnatural-parity helicity-zero cross section rho/sub oo/ 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