Differential cross sections and decay asymmetries for coherent $\phi$-meson photoproduction from deuterons were measured for the first time at forward angles by linearly polarized photons at $E_{\gamma}$= 1.5-2.4 GeV. With the elimination of isovector unnatural-parity $\pi$-meson exchange in the interaction with isoscalar deuteron target, this reaction is expected to explore natural-parity Pomeron dynamics at low energies. Our measurements show that the cross sections at zero degrees increase steadily with photon energy and the decay asymmetries demonstrate a complete dominance of natural-parity exchange processes. Nevertheless the deduced cross sections of $\phi$-mesons from nucleons contributed by isoscalar t-channel exchange processes are mostly underpredicted by conventional Pomeron model.
Differential cross section DSIG/DT for photon energy 1.57 to 1.67 GeV.
Differential cross section DSIG/DT for photon energy 1.67 to 1.77 GeV.
Differential cross section DSIG/DT for photon energy 1.77 to 1.87 GeV.
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