Photoproduction of vector mesons at high energies and Compton scattering by nucleons

We consider photoproduction of vector mesons and Compton scattering at high energies. Coupling of the electromagnetic current to neutral vector mesons as given theoretically in quark models and experimentally in storage-ring experiments is assumed. This gives a reasonable theory for $\rho$, $\omega$, $\phi$, $\psi$, and ${\psi }^{\prime }$ photoproduction processes in a unified manner with appropriate energy dependence for ${\left(\frac{d\sigma }{\mathrm{dt}}\right)}_0$ for $\phi$, $\psi$, and ${\psi }^{\prime }$, as well as for the slope parameter while approaching the high-energy limit. The correct total Compton-scattering cross section by nucleons in the high-energy limit is obtained. It appears that one is able to understand in a qualitative manner the success of vector-dominance models in the context of the quark model, without assuming vector dominance in a conventional form and without any field-current identity.