[Clascomment] OPT-IN: phi-meson photoproduction on Hydrogen in the neutral decay mode

[Jean-Marc Laget]

Dear Lead Authors,

In Figure 13, the slope parameter is certainly meant to be the slope parameter of the diffractive amplitude and not the slope parameter of the differential cross section, which according to previous experiments ranges around 6 GeV^2 (instead of 3).

In order to prevent confusion for the reader, I strongly suggest to:

1- Plot the slope parameter of the cross section, as it is usually done;

2- Define the meaning of "beta", even if you decide to stick to the present format of figure 13.

In the comparison with previous data, I do not understand why you do not include the latest CLAS charged decay mode results (CMU analysis) which are in the final stage of the review by the collaboration. Both analysis use the same data set and I guess that the author list will be quite similar. Also both papers will end up as a CLAS collaboration publication!!

All the best,

JM