N* and Delta* decays into N pi(0)pi(0)

Decays of baryon resonances in the second and the third resonance region into N pi(0)pi(0) are studied by photoproduction of two neutral pions off protons. Partial decay widths of N* and Delta* resonances decaying into Delta(1232)pi, N(pi pi)(S), N(1440)P-11 pi, and N(1520)D-13 pi are determined in a partial wave analysis of this data and of data from other reactions. Several partial decay widths were not known before. Interesting decay patterns are observed which are not even qualitatively reproduced by quark model calculations. In the second resonance region, decays into Delta(1232)pi dominate clearly. The N(pi pi)(S)-wave provides a significant contribution to the cross section, especially in the third resonance region. The P-13(1720) properties found here are at clear variance to PDG values. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.