On the Coupling of the $\hat{I}\cdot$ Meson to the Nucleon

Abstract

The pseudoscalar and pseudovector $\hat{I}\cdot N$ coupling constants are calculated from an effective vertex associated with the $a_0(980)\ddot{I}€N$ triangle diagram. The predicted values are in agreement with the ones concluded from fitting $\hat{I}\cdot$ photoproduction amplitudes. In this context we stress the importance of the properties of the scalar meson octet for $\hat{I}\cdot$ meson physics.

11 pages LATEX and 2 postscript figures included in a self-extracting uufile type archive