Photon diffractive dissociation to ρρπ and ρπππ states

This paper reports studies of the reactions γp→ρ π π πp and γp→ρ ρ πp. In particular a peak is reported in the ρ ρ π mass spectrum with closely similar mass and width to those of the ω ρ π peak previously reported in the reaction γp→ω ρ πp. The ratio of production cross sections is found to be ρ ρ π/ω ρ π=0.96±0.19, in serious disagreement with the expectation from Vector Meson Dominance. A possible explanation is indicated.