Meson decay studies from MAMI A2

Abstract

Decays of the light mesons π0, η, ω, and η’ provide a unique laboratory to test fundamental aspects of hadron physics. Precision studies of such diverse topics as the light quark mass ratio, π−π scattering lengths, and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model are possible. Additionally, Dalitz decays of light mesons provide a way of measuring the electromagnetic meson transition formfactors in the time-like region. The A2 tagged photon facility at the Mainz Microtron provides a high yield of light mesons produced by photo-induced reactions on protons, which makes the experiment ideal for high precision measurements of meson decays. Presented here are the contributions made by the A2 collaboration to such studies.