Universal behavior of the [Formula: see text] transition form factors

The photon transition form factors of π, η and [Formula: see text] are discussed in view of recent measurements. It is shown that the exact axial anomaly sum rule allows a precise comparison of all three form factors at high- [Formula: see text] independent of the different structures and distribution amplitudes of the participating pseudoscalar mesons. We conclude: (i) The πγ form factor reported by Belle is in excellent agreement with the nonstrange [Formula: see text] component of the η and [Formula: see text] form factors obtained from the BaBar measurements. (ii) Within errors, the πγ form factor from Belle is compatible with the asymptotic pQCD behavior, similar to the η and [Formula: see text] form factors from BaBar. Still, the best fits to the data sets of πγ, ηγ, and [Formula: see text] form factors favor a universal small logarithmic rise [Formula: see text].