Study of γp→K0SK0Sp with the GlueX Experiment

We present a study of the reaction $ \gamma p \rightarrow Xp \rightarrow K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} p\rightarrow \pi^{+}\pi^{-}\pi^{+}\pi^{-}p$ using data collected by the GlueX Collaboration during the Spring 2017 run. The GlueX Experiment is housed in Hall D at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. A linearly polarized photon beam with a coherent peak at 9 GeV and maximum energy of 12 GeV is incident on a hydrogen target which is enclosed in a nearly hermetic detector capable of measuring the 4-momenta of charged and neutral particles. This experiment was designed to search for and measure the properties of light-quark hybrid mesons. A 90\% pure sample of $K_S^0$ was used to study resonances with $\boldsymbol{0^{++}}$ and $\boldsymbol{2^{++}}$ quantum numbers in the $K_S^0K_S^0$ invariant mass distribution. Three enhancements were observed in the $K_S^0K_S^0$ invariant mass distribution near 1.3 GeV, 1.5 GeV and 1.7 GeV. Four models with and without the $f_0(1710)$ as well as the $f_0(1500)$ or $f'_2(1525)$ were considered. Fits to the mass spectra give evidence at the 6$\sigma$ level in favor of the presence of the $f_0(1710)$ and slightly favor the $f_0(1500)$ over the $f'_2(1525)$. The differential cross section was measured as a function of $-$t with both the $f_0(1500)$ and $f'_2(1525)$. These measurements were compared to theoretical predictions and were found to be more consistent with the $f'_2(1525)$.