Gamma*N -> N* (1520) Form Factors In The Timelike Regime

The covariant spectator quark model, tested before in a variety of electromagnetic baryon excitations, is applied here to the gamma*N -> N* (1520) reaction in the timelike regime. The transition form factors are first parametrized in the spacelike region in terms of a valence quark core model together with a parametrization of the meson cloud contribution. The form factor behavior in the timelike region is then predicted, as well as the N* (1520) -> gamma N decay width and the N* (1520) Dalitz decay, N* (1520) -> e(+)e(-)N. Our results may help in the interpretation of dielectron production from elementary pp collisions and from the new generation of HADES results using a pion beam. In the q(2) = 0-1 GeV2 range, we conclude that the QED approximation ( a q(2) independent form factor model) underestimates the electromagnetic coupling of the N* (1520) from 1 up to 2 orders of magnitude. We conclude also that the N* (1520) and Delta(1232) Dalitz decay widths are comparable.