η- and η′-meson production in the reaction pn→dM near threshold

Abstract The two-step model with π , ρ and ω exchanges taken into account is applied to investigate the reactions pn → dη and pn → dη ′ near the corresponding thresholds. The existing experimental data on the reaction pn → dη are analyzed and predictions for the cross section of the reaction pn → dη ′ are presented. It is found that π - as well as ρ -meson exchanges yield significant contributions in both reactions. Furthermore, the effect of the ηd final-state interaction is studied. It is shown that an ηN -scattering length of Re a ηN ≤0.3 fm might be sufficient to reproduce the observed enhancement of the pn → dη cross section close to threshold.