Production of G(1590) and other mesons decaying into η pairs by 100 GeV/c π− on protons

Abstract New data on the scalar G(1590) meson which decays into ηη have been obtained in an experiment at the CERN SPS. η pairs are detected with the electromagnetic calorimeter GAMS both through their decay into 4γ and into 8γ. ϵ(1300), f(1270), f′(1525) as well as the spin-4 h(2030) mesons have also been observed to decay in the same mode. Their branching ratios have been evaluated. The presence of high-mass spin-0 and spin-2 structures is discussed.