Chiral perturbation theory versus vector meson dominance in the decays phi->rho gamma gamma and phi->omega gamma gamma

Abstract

It is pointed out that the radiative decays of a phi meson, phi --> rho gamma gamma and phi --> omega gamma gamma, receive dominant contributions from the pseudoscalar (P = eta, eta') exchanges. Using the vector meson dominance model, we find that B(phi --> rho gamma gamma) approximate to 1.3 x 10(-4) and B(phi --> omega gamma gamma) approximate to 1.5 x 10(-5), which are mainly from the eta' pole. Thus, these decays are well within the reach of the phi factory. Our estimates are a few orders of magnitude larger than the chiral loop contributions in the heavy vector meson chiral lagrangian, which is about (a few) x 10(-9).