Data on I-s and I-c in (gamma)over-right-arrowp -> p pi(0)pi(0) reveal cascade decays of N(1900) via N(1520)pi

Photoproduction of two neutral pions off the proton is studied using linearly polarized photons, and the polarization observables I-s and I-c are measured for the first time. These two observables are unique to multi-meson final states; they characterize correlations between the linear photon polarization and the direction of outgoing single particles in photoproduction of three-body final states. The I-s and I-c distributions suggest that, in the 1.8 to 2.0 GeV mass region, the N(1520) 3/2(-)pi intermediate state is reached with reaction dynamics consistent with a dominant J(P) = 3/2(+) wave. These data are included in the Bonn-Gatchina (BnGa) partial wave analysis which is based on a large variety of data; the analysis confirms a significant contribution from the reaction chain gamma p -> N(1900)3/2(+) -> N(1520)3/2(-)pi(0) -> p pi(0)pi(0). (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.