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Pion photoproduction on nucleons in a covariant hadron-exchange model

We present a relativistic dynamical model of pion photoproduction on the nucleon in the resonance region. It offers several advances over the existing approaches. The model is obtained by extending our $πN$-scattering description to the electromagnetic channels. The resulting photopion amplitude is thus unitary in the $πN$, $\ga N$ channel space, Watson's theorem is exactly satisfied. At this stage we have included the pion, nucleon, $\De(1232)$-resonance degrees of freedom. The $ρ$ and $ω$ meson exchanges are also included, but play a minor role in the considered energy domain (up to $\sqrt{s}=1.5$ GeV). In this energy range the model provides a good description of all the important multipoles. We have allowed for only two free parameters -- the photocouplings of the $Δ$-resonance. These couplings are adjusted to reproduce the strength of corresponding resonant-multipoles $M_{1+}$ and $E_{1+}$ at the resonance position.