The reaction Pomeron-Pomeron →π+π− and an unusual production mechanism for thef2 (1270)

Data are presented on Pomeron-Pomeron interactions which produce a centralπ+π− system in proton-proton collisions at\(\sqrt s = 62 GeV\) at the CERN Intersecting Storage Rings. This process may favor the production of gluonic bound states. A partial-wave analysis of theπ+π− system shows evidence for the production of the statesf0(975),f0(1400), andf2(1270). The fitted mass for thef2(1270) is about 50 MeV below the world average. In addition, the production mechanism for thef2(1270) is uniquely different from that for the other final states in that there is a correlation between the outgoing protons. this is consistent with a picture of two-gluon exchange with thef2(1270) produced by gluon fusion, and could indicate that thef2(1270) has a glueball component.