Axial vector meson production

Abstract Recently available differential cross section and density matrix information on π − p → B − p at 4 GeV/ c are successfully described in terms of t channel exchanges and s channel absorptive effects. The s channel helicity amplitude which is dominant at small | t | (zero net helicity flip ω exchange) is found to have a zero at − t = 0.2 GeV 2 . SU(3) and higher symmetries are used to predict cross sections for further axial vector meson production processes, in particular non-diffractive A 1 production. The importance of these processes with regard to Regge phenomenology and meson spectroscopy is emphasized.