Exclusive tensor meson photoproduction

We study tensor meson photoproduction outside of the resonance region, at beam energies of a few GeVs. We build a model based on Regge theory that includes the leading vector and axial exchanges. We consider two determinations of the unknown helicity couplings and fit to the recent a(2) photoproduction data from CLAS. Both choices give a similar description of the a(2) cross section but result in different predictions for the parity asymmetries and the f(2) photoproduction cross section. We conclude that new measurements of f(2) photoproduction in the forward region are needed to pin down the correct production mechanism. We also extend our predictions to the 8.5 GeV beam energy, where current experiments are running.