We calculate rates for hybrid meson production by electromagnetic and weak interactions in the flux-tube model. Applications include photoproduction and electroproduction at Jefferson Laboratory and DESY HERA, and the production of light strange and charmed hybrids in the weak decays of heavy flavors. Photoproduction of some light hybrids is predicted to be prominent in charge exchange reactions, $\gamma \overrightarrow{p}n\mathcal{H}$ and accessible in $\gamma \overrightarrow{p}p\mathcal{H}.$ Production of light or charmed hybrids in B and D decays may be feasible with high statistics. Photoproduction of the axial hybrid meson is predicted to be large courtesy of $\pi$ exchange, and its strange counterpart is predicted in $\overrightarrow{B}\psi K_H{(1\mathrm{}}^{+})$ with $\mathrm{BR}\sim {10}^{-4}.$ Production rates for exotic hybrid candidates $1^{-+}{;(0,2)\mathrm{}}^{+-}$ are given special attention. Selection rules that can help to distinguish between hybrid and conventional states with the same $J^{\mathrm{PC}}$ are noted.

• Received 28 October 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.69.034010