Transparency ratio in γA→η′A′ and the in-medium η′ width

The photoproduction of η′-mesons off different nuclei has been measured with the CBELSA/TAPS detector system for incident photon energies between 1500-2200 MeV. The transparency ratio has been deduced and compared to theoretical calculations describing the propagation of η′-mesons in nuclei. The comparison indicates a width of the η′-meson of the order of Γ=15-25 MeV at ρ=ρ0 for an average momentum pη′=1050 MeV/c, at which the η′-meson is produced in the nuclear rest frame. The inelastic η′N cross section is estimated to be 3-10 mb. Parameterizing the photoproduction cross section of η′-mesons by σ(A)=σ0Aα, a value of α=0.84±0.03 has been deduced.