Glueball hunt in φ photoproduction

We investigate the existing data on photoproduction of φ meson on proton with the scope of finding a glueball with Jπ = 0+. We study the energy dependence of the photoproduction cross section and try to understand it in terms of the Reggeon exchange picture. We find a signature of Jπ 0+ glueball contribution (new pomeron; the Reggeon exchange component based on a 0+ glueball) in the φ photoproduction data at low energy. (author)