Role of photoproduction in exotic meson searches

We discuss two production mechanisms of the J(PC) = 1(-+) exotic meson, had roproduction, using pion beams and photoproduction. We show that the ratio of exotic to nonexotic, in particular the a(2) meson-production cross secti ons is expected to be by a factor of 5 to 10 larger, in photoproduction the n in hadroproduction. Furthermore we show that the low-t photoproduction of exotic meson is enhanced as compared to hadronic production. This findings support the simple quark picture in which exotic meson production is predi cted to be enhanced when the beam is a virtual Q (Q) over bar pair with a s pin-1 (photon) rather then with a spin-0 (pion). (C) 2001 Published by Else vier Science B.V.