Helicity dependence of the \gamma p\rightarrow N \pi channels and multipole analysis in the \Delta region

A high-quality double-polarization data set for the helicity dependence of the total and differential cross-sections for both channels in the region has been obtained in the framework of the GDH experiment. The experiment, performed at the Mainz microtron MAMI, used a 4 detection system, a circularly polarized photon beam, and a longitudinally polarized frozen-spin target. These data are included in the database to perform a multipole analysis to determine the properties of the -resonance. For the resonant (1232) multipoles we find a very good agreement with previous analyses, while the nonresonant ones show significant deviations.Received: 11 July 2003, Revised: 16 January 2004, Published online: 17 August 2004PACS: 13.60.Le Meson production - 14.20.Gk Baryon resonances with S = 0 - 25.20.Lj Photoproduction reactions