Positron impact inner shell ionization

The positron impact ionization cross section for theK-shell was determined in the case of Ni, Y and Ag at 670 and 490 keV as well as for theL-shell in the case of Yb, Ta, Au and Pb at 490 keV using a beta-ray spectrometer as a source of monoenergetic electrons and anX-e ⁺ coincidence arrangement. The results for theK-shell are compared with the theoretical calculations according to Kolbenstvedt and with the earlier experimental values.     

Azimuthal Distributions of K + Mesons in Heavy-Ion Collisions

Strange mesons are considered to be sensitive to in-medium modifications. Theory predicts a repulsive K ⁺ N potential and an attractive K ^? N potential in dense matter. A repulsive K ⁺ N potential would repel the K ⁺ mesons from the bulk of the nucleons and therefore cause a preferred out-of-plane emission of K ⁺ mesons at midrapidity and a directed flow opposite to the nucleons at target and projectile rapidity. One of observables to probe in-medium effects is the azimuthal emission pattern of K ⁺ mesons in heavy ion collisions. KaoS collaboration has measured the azimuthal distributions of K ⁺ mesons in Au + Au reactions at 1.5 A GeV and Ni + Ni reactions at 1.93 A GeV. Data show that K ⁺ mesons exhibit a pronounced enhancement at ${\phi = {90}^\circ}$ , i.e. perpendicular to the reaction plane. The data have also been fitted using the first two components of a Fourier series to get the directed flow v ₁ and elliptic flow v ₂. We used the quantum molecular dynamics model based on the covariant kaon dynamics to simulate the Au + Au collisions at 1.5 A GeV and the Ni + Ni collisions at 1.93 A GeV, to analyze the azimuthal distributions of K ⁺ mesons, and to calculate v ₁ and v ₂ of K ⁺ mesons. Calculated results with a repulsive in-medium K ⁺ N potential can reasonably describe the features of KaoS data. This indicates that the azimuthal distribution is one of sensitive probes to extract information on in-medium properties at high densities.     

Production of charged pions, kaons and antikaons in relativistic C + C and C + Au collisions

Production cross-sections of charged pions, kaons and antikaons have been measured in C+C and C+Au collisions at beam energies of 1.0 and 1.8 AGeV for different polar emission angles. The kaon and antikaon energy spectra can be described by Boltzmann distributions whereas the pion spectra exhibit an additional enhancement at low energies. The pion multiplicity per participating nucleon M(π⁺)/<A _part> is a factor of about 3 smaller in C+Au than in C+C collisions at 1.0 AGeV whereas it differs only little for the C and the Au target at a beam energy of 1.8 AGeV. The K⁺ multiplicities per participating nucleon M(K⁺)/ <A _part> are independent of the target size at 1 AGeV and at 1.8 AGeV. The K^- multiplicity per participating nucleon M(K^-)/ <A _part> is reduced by a factor of about 2 in C+Au as compared to C+C collisions at 1.8 AGeV. This effect might be caused by the absorption of antikaons in the heavy target nucleus. Transport model calculations underestimate the K^-/K⁺ ratio for C+C collisions at 1.8 AGeV by a factor of about 4 if in-medium modifications of K-mesons are neglected. Received: 10 December 1999 / Accepted: 14 November 2000     

Subthreshold K+ production in proton-nucleus collisions

Double differential K⁺ cross sections have been measured in p+C collisions at 1.2, 1.5 and 2.5 GeV beam energy and in p+Pb collisions at 1.2 and 1.5 GeV. The K⁺ spectrum taken at 2.5 GeV can be reproduced quantitatively by a model calculation which takes into account first chance proton-nucleon collisions and internal momentum with energy distribution of nucleons according to the spectral function. At 1.2 and 1.5 GeV beam energy the K⁺ data excess significantly the model predictions for first chance collisions. When taking secondary processes into account the results of the calculations are in much better agreement with the data.     

Subthreshold K+ production in proton-nucleus collisions

Double differential K⁺cross sections have been measured in p+C collisions at 1.2, 1.5 and 2.5 GeV beam energy and in p+Pb collisions at 1.2 and 1.5 GeV. The K⁺ spectrum taken at 2.5 GeV can be reproduced quantitatively by a model calculation which takes into account first chance proton-nucleon collisions and internal momentum with energy distribution of nucleons according to the spectral function. At 1.2 and 1.5 GeV beam energy the K⁺ data excess significantly the model predictions for first chance collisions. When taking secondary processes into account the results of the calculations are in much better agreement with the data.     

K+ production in a cascade model for high-energy nucleus-nucleus collisions

The K⁺ production is studied for the p + NaF, Ne + NaF, Ne + Pb systems at 2.1 GeV/A in the frame of a 3-dimensional cascade model. Owing to the small elementary production cross sections, the K⁺ production is calculated perturbatively. Two kinds of production processes are introduced: baryon-baryon collisions leading to three-particle final states, and pion-nucleon collisions leading to two-body final states. The time evolution of the two processes is studied. The integrated K⁺ cross sections are in good agreement with the experimental data. The contribution of the πN induced mechanism is of the order of 25% for Ne + NaF, but increases with the size of the system. Scaling properties are discussed. A simple rescattering model is used to calculate the invariant cross section for the Ne + NaF case. Good agreement with experiment is obtained, except at forward angles.     

K + production in proton-nucleus collision

We present a dynamical study ofK ⁺ production in proton-nucleus collisions from 1.2 to 2.5 GeV bombarding energy. The evolution of the proton-nucleus collision is described by a transport equation of the Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck type. We incorporate all known sources forK ⁺ production and study their momentum and angular distributions, and the excitation function. We show that at lower energies (E _b<1.5 GeV) theNΔ andNN* channels dominate the kaon yield for light systems. At higher bombarding energies the directNN channel accounts for almost the whole cross section.     

The effect of Lorentz-like force on collective flows of <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript> in Au+Au collisions at 1.5 GeV/nucleon

Producing kaon mesons in heavy-ion collisions at beam energies below their threshold energy is an important way to investigate the properties of dense nuclear matter. In this study, based on the newly updated version of the ultrarelativistic quantum molecular dynamics model, we introduce the kaon-nucleon (KN) potential, including both the scalar and vector (also dubbed Lorentz-like) aspects. We revisit the influence of the KN potential on the collective flow of K⁺ mesons produced in Au+Au collisions at E_lab = 1.5 GeV/nucleon and find that the contribution of the newly included Lorentz-like force is very important, particulary for describing the directed flow of K⁺. Finally, the corresponding KaoS data of both directed and elliptic flows can be simultaneously reproduced well.     

Analysis of the3 He(K−,K +)n reaction by the potential quark model

We analyze the production of H dihyperson (J ^π=0⁺,S=?2) via the (K ^?, K⁺) reaction by means of the non-relativistic quark model. First, the H mass and mass spectrum of single baryons are calculated. When the single baryon spectrum is well reproduced, the H dihyperson has the binding energies about 20 MeV or 60 MeV corresponding to the choice of the strength of the confinement potential. Using this model and parameters, cross sections for H production are estimated. A new effect, contributions from color-octetQ ³?Q ³ components of H dihyperson, is taken into account. The cross sections for H production are enhanced about ten times by these contributions. TheK ⁺-neutron coincidence cross section for H production is found to be 99–115 nb/sr² at theK ⁺ forward direction forM _H=2212 MeV and theK ^? beam momentum 1.8 GeV/c.     

The K+π- elastic scattering cross section as observed in K+p→K+π-Δ++ from 3 to 13 GeV/c

The four-body reaction K⁺p→K⁺π^-Δ⁺⁺ is analysed in a sample of 77 300 bubble chamber events of K⁺p→K⁺π^-π⁺p for beam momenta from 2.5 to 12.6 GeV/c to study the K⁺π^- elastic scattering cross section. The relative merits of several analytic continuations to the pion pole are discussed. Maximum likelihood method is used and, for each experiment fits are performed simultaneously over the whole range of the M(pπ⁺), m(K⁺π^-) and t variables. The K⁺π^- cross section is parametrized in terms of the down solution for the s-wave, a p-wave resonating at the K¹(890) and a d-wave resonating at the K¹(1420). Fitted values are obtained for the four-body cross section, the s-wave contribution to the K⁺π^- cross section, and the masses and widths of the K¹(890) and K¹(1420).     

Kaon production in S+nucleus and Pb+Pb collisions at CERN SPS

Charged and neutral kaon production in S-nucleus and Pb-Pb collisions has been measured at CERN in the NA35 and NA49 experiments, close to mid-rapidity. The production ofK ^± in S+S, Ag, Au at 200 GeV/nucleon was measured via their one-prong (kink) topology inside a Time Projection Chamber (TPC). The resulting charged kaon yields are in agreement with other measurements done in the same experiment. TheK ⁺/K ^? ratio was found to be 1.30±0.15 in central S+Au interactions. The production ofK _S ⁰ in Pb+Pb collisions was measured using the NA49’s large (Main) TPCs outside the magnetic field. The resulting yields are compatible with other measurements performed in the same experiment, within the quoted systematic errors. The preliminary rapidity distribution in Pb+Pb scales with the number of participants if compared to S+S collisions. From this we conclude that no further strangeness enhancement (relative to nucleon-nucleon collisions) is observed in going from S+S to Pb+Pb.     

Mid-rapidity ϕ meson production at \sqrt {s_{NN} } = 200 GeV Au+Au and pp collisions from STAR

We present the results for the measurement of ? meson production in $\sqrt {s_{NN} } = 200$ GeV Au+Au and pp collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Using the event mixing technique, spectra and yields are obrained from the ?→K⁺K^? decay channel for five centrality bins in Au+Au collisions and in pp collisions. We observe that the spectrum shape in Au+Au collisions depends weakly on the centrality and the shape of the spectrum in pp collisions is significantly different from that in Au+Au collisions.     

Event-by-event hadron ratio fluctuations from Au+Au collisions at RHIC-STAR

We present measurements of event-by-event fluctuations on hadron multiplicity ratios (K/??, p/??, K/p) in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at RHIC. The magnitude of dynamical fluctuations ?? _dyn for p/?? and K/p ratios change smoothly from a large negative value at 7.7 GeV to a smaller negative value at 200 GeV while that for the K/?? ratios exhibits no significant beam energy dependence. The dynamical fluctuations related to pair production ?? _dyn ^pair dyn for the p/K, K/p, K ^?/K ⁺ and p/p ratios at 200 GeV all exhibit a maximum at the mid-central collisions and decrease at the most peripheral and most central collisions.     

π 0 andη meson production inπ + p andK + p collisions at 250 GeV/c

We report on a study of inclusiveπ ⁰ and η meson production inπ ⁺ p andK ⁺ p interactions at 250 GeV/c beam momentum. The Feynman-x spectrum ofπ ⁰ is very similar in shape and normalization to that of negatively charged particles produced in the same experiment. The results are compared with data at other energies and with FRITIOF model predictions. This model overestimates the η cross section by a factor of 2.5. It reproduces theπ ⁰ cross section correctly, but predicts a too hardπ ⁰ x distribution.     

In-Medium Kaon Potential and Nuclear Equation of State Measured in Nucleus–Nucleus Collisions

The kaon production in heavy ion collisions at intermediate energies provides a sensitive probe to study the in-medium properties and nuclear equation of state of hadrons. Properties of kaons in dense hadronic matter are important for a better understanding of both, the possible restoration of chiral symmetry in dense hadronic matter and the properties of nuclear matter at high densities. We investigated the in-medium kaon potential and nuclear equation of state by transverse mass spectra of K ⁺ mesons in heavy ion collisions. We use quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) models based on covariant kaon dynamics to simulate ${_{28}^{58}Ni +_{28}^{58}Ni}$ collisions at 1.93 A GeV, to analyze the transverse mass spectra of K ⁺. Calculated results with a repulsive in-medium K ⁺N potential can reasonably describe the features of KaoS data. They also shown that the transverse mass spectrum of K ⁺ mesons is a sensitive observable to probe the kaon in-medium potential in dense nuclear matter.     

Inner shell ionization cross sections for relativistic electrons

The cross section of electron impact ionization was determined for theK-shell in the case of the elements Ni, Y, Ag, Yb, Ta, Au and Pb at 670 and 490 keV as well as for theL-shell in the case of the elements Yb and Pb at 670, 490 and 350 keV and in the case of Ta at 670 and 490 keV. The results are compared with the theoretical calculations and the earlier experimental results.     

Production of Kr2+ in collisions of rare gas ions with Kr

Total and differential cross sections for the production of fast Kr²⁺ ions in collisions of He⁺, Ne⁺ and Ar⁺ with Kr were measured at primary energies below 500 eV. In the system Ar⁺+Kr most of these reactions occur in close collisions and are accompanied by a large momentum transfer. For Ne⁺+ Kr collisions the angular distribution in the centre of mass system is approximately isotropic over a wide angular range. The cross section values for the Kr²⁺ production amount to 1% of the total charge transfer cross section in the investigated energy range.     

Observation of a narrowK s 0 K s 0 π+π− state at 1.97 GeV produced inK + p interactions at 32 GeV/c

Evidence is provided for a new resonance in theK _s ⁰ K _s ⁰ π⁺π^? system with a mass of 1.97±0.01 GeV and width 40±20 MeV. It is produced with an inclusive cross section of ～6μb in the beam fragmentation process of 4-prongK ⁺ p interactions with at least 2 associatedV ⁰'s at 32 GeV/c and decays dominantly into theK ^{* ±} (892)K _s ⁰ π^? mode.     

Cross section coherence energy and interaction time in heavy ion dissipative collisions

A recent formulation of the cross section autocorrelation function, specially developed to take into account the angular momentum effects, is compared to the experimental results concerning the²⁸Si +⁴⁸Ti and²⁸Si +⁶⁴Ni reactions. The possibility of determining the mean lifetime of the dinucleus excited states populated in dissipative collisions is also discussed.     

InclusiveK *+(890),K *+(1430) and\bar K^{ * - } (890) production inK + p interactions at 32 GeV/c

We present final results on inclusive production ofK ^*+(890),K ^*+(1430) andK ^*?(890) in \(\bar K^ + p\) interactions at 32 GeV/c, based on a statistics of ～27 events/μb. Total cross sections,p _T -andx-dependence of inclusive distributions are compared with experiments at other energies and with the Lund fragmentation model. Spin density matrix elements of theK ^*+(890) are also discussed. The results suggest that “recombination” of both initial state valence quarks \(\bar s\) andu of theK ⁺ intoK ^*+(890), responsible in the Lund model for ～45% of theK ^*+(890) cross section, is strongly suppressed.