Neutral pion electroproduction in $p(e,e'\pi^0)p$ above $\sqrt{s}>2$ GeV

Understand

Electroproduction of neutral pions in exclusive reaction $p(e,e'\pi^0)p$ is studied above the resonance region, $\sqrt{s}>2$ GeV.

• The reaction amplitude is described by exchanges of vector $\omega(782)$, $\rho(770)$ and axial-vector $h_1(1170)$ and $b_1(1235)$ Regge trajectories.
• The residual effect of $s$- and $u$-channel nucleon resonances is taken into account using a dual connection between the exclusive form factors and inclusive deep inelastic structure functions.
• In photoproduction at forward angles the exchange of Regge trajectories dominates and the dip region is filled by the resonances.