Studying the a0 and f0 at BNL and JLAB

The scalar mesons, the f0(980) and the a0(980), have been receiving much attention of late. The low values of their masses and widths question their assignment to the 3 P0 qq- scalar nonet and recent Crystal Barrel results have uncovered scalar states with more appropriate masses and widths. It has been suggested that the f0(980) and the a0(980) are KK- molecules or 4-quark states. This talk will review recent results from BNL (Brookhaven AGS) experiment E852 in which the f0 (980) and the a0(980) are produced in the π0π0 and πη channels, respectively, in π- induced reactions. Hadron production characteristics of these states may reveal their nature. The a0(980) is also observced in f1(1295) → ηππ. At JLAB (formerly CEBAF), an experiment is under construction to look for the rare radiative decays φ → f0(980) γ. The ratio of these branching ratios is also expected to provide information on the substructure of these scalars. These measurements are feasible since intense photon beams will yield a high rate of φ4s. The possibility of studying low-mass ππ and πη scattering in η' → ηππ at BNL and JLAB will also be discussed. (Author)