Near-threshold production of a₀(980)-mesons in π N and NN collisions and a₀/f₀-mixing

We consider near-threshold $a_0(980)$-meson production in $\pi N$ and $NN$ collisions. An effective Lagrangian approach with one-pion exchange is applied to analyze different contributions to the cross section for different isospin channels. The Reggeon exchange mechanism is also evaluated for comparison. The results from $\pi N$ reactions are used to calculate the contribution of the $a_0$ meson to the cross sections and invariant $K \bar K$ mass distributions of the reactions $pp\to pn K^+\bar K^0$ and $pp\to pp K^+K^-$. It is found that the experimental observation of $a_0^+$ mesons in the reaction $pp\to pn K^+\bar K^0$ is much more promising than the observation of $a_0^0$ mesons in the reaction $pp\to pp K^+K^-$. Effects of isospin violation in the reactions $pN \to d a_0$, $pd \to \mathrm{^3He/^3H} a_0$, and $ dd \to \mathrm{^4He} a_0$, which are induced by $a_0(980)$--$f_0(980)$ mixing, are also analyzed.