Partial wave analysis of the reaction γp→pω and the search for nucleon resonances

An event-based partial wave analysis (PWA) of the reaction γp→pω has been performed on a high-statistics dataset obtained using the CLAS at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies from threshold up to 2.4 GeV. This analysis benefits from access to the world’s first high-precision spin-density matrix element measurements, available to the event-based PWA through the decay distribution of ω→π⁺π^-π⁰. The data confirm the dominance of the t-channel π⁰ exchange amplitude in the forward direction. The dominant resonance contributions are consistent with the previously identified states F₁₅(1680) and D₁₃(1700) near threshold, as well as the G₁₇(2190) at higher energies. Suggestive evidence for the presence of a J^P=5/2⁺ state around 2 GeV, a “missing” state, has also been found. Evidence for other states is inconclusive.