Measurement of the beam asymmetry $��$ for $��^0$ and $��$ photoproduction on the proton at $E_��= 9$ GeV

We report measurements of the photon beam asymmetry $��$ for the reactions $\vec��p\to p��^0$ and $\vec��p\to p��$ from the GlueX experiment using a 9 GeV linearly-polarized, tagged photon beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target in Jefferson Lab's Hall D. The asymmetries, measured as a function of the proton momentum transfer, possess greater precision than previous $��^0$ measurements and are the first $��$ measurements in this energy regime. The results are compared with theoretical predictions based on $t$-channel, quasi-particle exchange and constrain the axial-vector component of the neutral meson production mechanism in these models.
6 pages, 6 figures, Published in Physical Review C: Rapid Communication