The Reaction $pp\to pp\ddot{I}•$ and the Validity of the OZI Rule

Abstract

The reaction $pp\to pp\ddot{I}•$ is investigated within a relativistic meson-exchange model of hadronic interactions. The possibility of extracting the $NN\ddot{I}•$ coupling constant from a study of this process is explored. A combined analysis of $\ddot{I}‰-$ and $\ddot{I}•$-meson production in proton-proton collisions utilizing recent data on these reactions is carried out and yields values for $g_{NN\ddot{I}•}$ that are compatible with the OZI rule.

5 pages, 2 figres, Presented at the Baryon98 conference, Bonn, September 1998