Dilepton production from resonance scattering in hot hadronic matter

Dilepton production from resonance scattering in hot hadronic matter is studied. Including the widths of these resonances, which enhance the phase space for dilepton production, we find that the production rate is significantly increased if a resonance appears in the extended phase space. For the reaction π+ρ→${\mathit{l}}^{+}$+${\mathit{l}}^{\mathrm{-}}$, the finite ρ meson width extends the invariant mass below the ω-meson mass, so a peak at the ω-meson mass is seen in the dilepton spectrum. Similarly, a ρ-meson peak appears in the reaction ρ+ρ→${\mathit{l}}^{+}$+${\mathit{l}}^{\mathrm{-}}$. On the other hand, the effect of particle widths in the reaction π+${\mathit{a}}_1$→${\mathit{l}}^{+}$+${\mathit{l}}^{\mathrm{-}}$ is small since the extended phase space does not include any resonance. © 1996 The American Physical Society.