Form factor $π^0\to γ^* +γ^*$ at different photon virtualities

Abstract

The $π^0 γγ$ vertex for virtual photons of squared masses $q_1^2$ and $q_2^2$ plays a vital rôle in several physical processes; for example for $q_1^2<0$, $q_2^2<0$, in the two-photon physics reaction $e^+ e^-\to e^+ e^- π^0$, and for $q_1^2>0$, $q_2^2>0$, in the annihilation process $e^+ e^-\to π^0 l^+ l^-$. It is also of interest because of its link to the axial anomaly. We suggest a new approach to this problem. We have obtained a closed analytic expression for the vertex in the limit in which at least one of $|q_1^2|$ and $|q_2^2|$ is large for arbitrary fixed values of the ratio $q_1^2/q_2^2$. We compare our results with those obtained previously by Brodsky and Lepage. It should be straightforward to test our predictions experimentally.