Hypercharge annihilation

Aspects of the process K^?p → Λ + pions for K^? mesons of momentum 8.25 GeV/c are examined. It is shown that the hypercharge annihilation process can be effectively separated into off-shell baryon (B?B) and strangeness (K?K) annihilation. Both annihilation regions have many features in common and show strong similarities to on-shell annihilation processes; some differences are also noted.     

Study of Strangeness Photoproduction on the Neutron in the Threshold Region

Photoproduction of the neutral kaon on the deuteron has been investigated at the Research Center for Electron Photon Science, Tohoku University. We constructed the Neutral Kaon Spectrometer-2 for the detection of charged particles from the decay of the neutral kaon and the hyperon. We obtained a momentum distribution of K ⁰ with the inclusive measurement. It was consistent with the previous measurement. The total cross section of γ + d → K ⁰ + Λ + p was estimated from the measured integral cross section of γ + d → Λ + X. The total cross section with respect to the photon energy was compared with the theoretical calculations. It favored the Saclay-Lyon A model calculation with the ratio of the neutral to charged coupling constants of the axial-vector meson, K ₁, as ~ ?1.5. The energy dependence and the magnitude of the total cross section were similar to the total cross section of γ + p → K ⁺ Λ.     

K + production in proton and deuteron induced reactions at subthreshold energies

The production ofK ⁺ mesons in proton-nucleus and deuteron-nucleus collisions is analyzed with respect to one-step nucleon-nucleon (NN → N ΛK ⁺),Δ- nucleon (ΔN → N Λ K⁺) and two-step pion-nucleon (πN → K ⁺ Λ) production channels on the basis of experimental ground state momentum distributions and free on-shell production processes. Whereas forK ⁺ production in proton-nucleus reactions the secondary channelπN clearly dominates at subthreshold energies, meson and nucleon induced channels are of similar magnitude in deuteron-nucleus reactions. Contrary to nucleus-nucleus collisions theΔ induced reaction channels are found to be of minor importance. The experimental differentiation of the underlying microscopic reaction channels appears possible via differential proton —K ⁺ coincidence measurements as shown in detail by the microscopic simulations including proton rescattering.     

K+ versus Λ flow in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We study K⁺ and Λ flow in heavy-ion collisions at beam energies of about 2 AGeV. We present our results in both the “traditional” (i.e., in terms of the average transverse momentum in the reaction plane) as well as “modern” (i.e., in terms of coefficients of the Fourier analysis of azimuthal distributions) methods of flow analysis. We find significant differences between the K⁺ and the Λ flow: while the Λ flow is basically similar to that of nucleons, the K⁺ flow almost disappears. This difference is attributed chiefly to their different mean field potentials in dense matter. The comparisons with the experimental data, as well as theoretical results from independent calculations, indicate clearly the pivotal roles of both K⁺ and Λ medium effects. We emphasize that similar experimental data from independent collaborations are essential for the eventual verification of these medium effects.     

Λ production in K−p interactions at 32 GeV/c

Lambda production is studied in K^?p interactions at 32 GeV/c. The total Λ cross section is 2.31±0.03 mb. Using the measured Λγ combinations we find that (31±4)% of all Λ's are produced via the Σ⁰→Λγ decay. About 60% of the Λ's are associated with either a $\text{N}\text{N}\text{or K}\text{K}$ pair; about 40% of the Λ's are produced through the hypercharge annihiltion reaction K^?p→Λ+π'a. The two-peak structure of the invariant x distribution can be related to fragmentation processes. The Λ is found to be unpolarized in the target fragmentation region, whereas a transverse polarization is observed for forward produced Λ's. As a function of p⊥, a polarization effect is measured at medium p⊥.     

Λ and K0 production in p↑p interactions at 6 GeV/c

Results on K⁰ and Λ production in p↑p interactions at 6 GeV are presented. The data are from an exposure of the Argonne 12 ft bubble chamber to a 60% transversely polarized proton beam. Results include data on Λ and K⁰ inclusive production, and on the reactions p↑p → pΛK⁺(pΣ⁰K⁺). The beam asymmetry parameter for $\text{p}\text{↑}\text{p}\text{→}\text{K}{}^0\text{(}\text{K}{}^0\text{) +}\text{X}$ is determined to be (?0.52 ± 0.12).     

Large-pTπ0 production with pion beams and dominance of the subprocess quark + quark → baryon + antiquark

We compare the predictions of the subprocesses M + q → M + q, q + $\text{q}$ → M + M, q + q → B + q?, for large-p_Tπ⁰ inclusive production in π^?p collisions, with the data. Calculations performed with various models show, in a model independent way, that q + q → B + q? is dominant in pp collisions.     

The reaction K−p → Λω at 3.13 and 3.3 GeV/c

New experimental data is presented on the reaction K^?p → Λω from a bubble chamber experiment at 3.13 and 3.3 GeV/c. The cross section, production angular distribution, Λ-polarization, and ω-density matrix elements are determined. We also investigate the joint decay distribution of the Λ and ω together; this contains sufficient information for us to perform an almost complete amplitude analysis for the reaction. These amplitudes are used to test a duality + absorption hypothesis.     

Strangeness enhancement in sulphur—Nucleus collisions at 200 A GeV/c

The NA35 experiment used several independent methods to determine the strange particle production in p+S and S+A collisions. The different techniques show consistent results. Strangeness conservation in full phase space is used as an additional check of the consistency of the data. On the base of the analysis in full phase space it could be shown that strangeness conservation is fullfilled. The NA35K _S ⁰ in S+S and S+Ag are consistent with the NA44 results forK ⁺ andK ^?. The results of the NA36 collaboration for S+Pb collisions were extrapolated to full phase space. The comparison with the NA35 results shows more than two times lower yields. The ratio of Λ to $\bar \Lambda $ at midrapidity of NA36 is inconsistent with the high baryon density determind by NA35. The strange particle production is compared to the abundance of non strange particles, especially negatively charged pions which are measured in full phase space in the same experiment. A clear enhanced strange hadron production relative to σ^? is observed in S+Ag collisions compared to p+S reactions at the same energy. TheK _S ⁰ multiplicity in full phase space per negative hadron (h ^?) in S+S, S+Ag and Pb+Pb is enhanced by about a factor 1.6 compared to N+N and p+S collisions. The NA36 result for theK _S ⁰ multiplicity perh ^? in S+Pb is below the N+N value.     

Investigation of the diffractive reaction p + N → [∑+ K 0] + N at the proton energy of E p =70 GeV and observation of the decay process X(2000) → ∑+ K 0

The diffractive reaction p + N → [∑⁺ K ⁰] + N induced by 70-GeV protons is investigated at the SPHINX facility. The measured mass spectrum of the ∑⁺ K ⁰ system originating from this reaction shows a resonance structure with a mass of M=1995±18 MeV and a width of Γ=90±32 MeV. The cross section for the formation of this structure is found to be σ=182±38 nb per target nucleon. These data comply well with the results that we obtained previously in studying the reaction p + N → [∑⁰ K ⁺] + N, where we observed the formation of the X(2000) → ∑⁰ K ⁺ state, a candidate for an exotic baryon with hidden strangeness. The measured ratio R of the two branching fractions, R = Br[X(2000) → ∑⁺ K ⁰]/Br[X(2000) → ∑⁰ K ⁺] = 1.91 ± 0.38, is consistent with the value of R=2 expected for an isospin-1/2 baryon.     

Search for Θ+(1540) in exclusive proton-induced reaction p + C(N) \to \Theta ^ + \bar \kappa ^0 + C(N) at the energy of 70 GeV

A search for narrow Θ⁺(1540), a candidate for a pentaquark baryon with positive strangeness, has been performed in an exclusive proton-induced reaction $p + C(N) \to \Theta ^ + \bar \kappa ^0 + C(N)$ on carbon nuclei or quasifree nucleons at $E_{beam} = 70GeV(\sqrt s = 11.5GeV)$ studying nK ⁺, pK _S ⁰ , and pK _L ⁰ decay channels of Θ⁺(1540) in four different final states of the $\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 $ system. In order to assess the quality of the identification of the final states with neutron or K _L ⁰ , we reconstructed Λ(1520) → nK _S ⁰ and ? → K _L ⁰ K _S ⁰ decays in the calibration reactions p + C(N) → Λ (1520)K ⁺+C(N) and p+C(N) → p?+C(N). We found no evidence for a narrow pentaquark peak in any of the studied final states and decay channels. Assuming that the production characteristics of the $\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 $ system are not drastically different from those of the Λ(1520)K ⁺ and p? systems, we established upper limits on the cross-section ratios $\sigma (\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 )/\sigma (\Lambda (1520)K^ + ) < 0.02$ and $\sigma (\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 )/\sigma (p\phi ) < 0.15$ at 90% C.L. and a preliminary upper limit for the forward-hemisphere cross section $\sigma (\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 )$ nb/nucleon.     

f 0(980) and a 0(980) resonances near the thresholds of the γγ → K + K − and γγ → K 0 K̇ 0 reactions

High-statistical data on the γγ → K ⁺ K ^? and γγ → K ⁰ K? ⁰ reactions constitute the last missing link in investigations of light scalar mesons f ₀(980) and a ₀(980) in photon-photon collisions. It is expected that the manifestation of the four-quark structure of the f ₀(980) and a ₀(980) resonances in these reactions will be very peculiar. The possibilities of the observation of scalar contributions in the γγ → K ⁺ K ^? and γγ → K ⁰ K? ⁰ reactions near their thresholds at modern colliders have been estimated.     

Features of carbon-carbon interactions at a momentum of 4.2 GeV/c per nucleon that are accompanied by the production of Λ hyperons and K S 0 mesons versus the degree of nuclei collision centrality

Experiemntal data obtained by using the 2-m propane bubble chamber of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR, Dubna) are used to study the effect collision centrality on the spectra of Λ hyperons and K _S ⁰ mesons produced in carbon-carbon interactions at 4.2 A GeV/c. The multiplicity of participant protons having momenta in excess of 300 MeV/c is taken to be a measure of collision centrality. The features of pions and protons accompanying strange-particle production are also presented. The experimental data in question are compared with the prediction of a modified version of the FRITIOF model. It is shown that strange particles are predominantly produced in central and semicentral collisions. The average kinematical features of K _S ⁰ mesons are found to be indepedent of collision centrality. At the same time, the average transverse momentum of Λ hyperons and the average value of their emission angle increase slowly with increasing degree of collision centrality. The anisotropy of the angular distributions of both Λ hypersons and K _S/0 mesons in the c.m. frame of nucleon-nucleon collisions decreases with increasing collision centrality. The average transverse momentum of K _S ⁰ mesons is approximately 1.6 times higher than the average transverse momentum of π ^? mesons.     

Properties of K0 and Λ inclusive production in charged-current antineutrino-nucleon interactions

In this paper we discuss inclusive spectra of K⁰'s and Λ's produced in charged in charged-current $\text{ν}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{N}$ interactions in the Fermilab 15 ft bubble chamber filled with a 64% Ne-H₂ mixture. Data presented in terms of the invariant cross section show, when compared with results from experiments with other incident beams, that the behavior of these distributions is approximately the same. The K⁰ and Λ fragmentation functions are presented and the shape of the K⁰ fragmentation function is found to be consistent with the parametrization of Field and Feynman.The average K⁰ and Λ transverse momentum squared as a function of Q², W², x and z is presented. Comparisons for the K⁰'s produced in the current fragmentation region are in qualitative agreement with QCD predictions. The value of the Λ polarization is measured and a positive normal polarization P_N = 0.34±0.18 is found.     

Subthreshold and near-threshold K +-meson production on light nuclei by protons

Inclusive K ⁺-meson production in proton-nucleus collisions in the near-threshold and subthreshold energy regimes is analyzed with respect to the one-step (pN → K ⁺ YN, Y=Λ, Σ) and two-step (pN → NNπ, NN2π; πN → K ⁺ Y) incoherent production processes. An appropriate folding model is used that properly takes into account the struck-target-nucleon-removal energy and the momentum distribution (nucleon spectral function), novel elementary cross sections for proton-nucleon reaction channel close to threshold, as well as nuclear-mean-field-potential effects on the one-step and two-step kaon-creation processes. A detailed comparison of the model calculations of the K ⁺ total and differential cross sections for the p+⁹Be and p+¹²C interactions with the existing experimental data is given, which displays both the relative role of the primary and secondary production channels at considered incident energies and those features of the cross sections that are sensitive to the high-momentum and high-removal-energy parts of the nucleon spectral function. It is found that, contrary to previous studies known in the literature, the pion-nucleon production channels do not necessarily dominate in pA collisions at subthreshold energies and that the relative strength of the proton-and pion-induced reaction channels for light target nuclei in the subthreshold energy regime is governed by the kinematics of the experiment under consideration.     

Q 1 production by hypercharge exchange in π- p interactions at 3.95 GeV/c

Q-meson production is studied in the hypercharge exchange reaction π^- p → (Kππ)Λ at 3.95 GeV/c by selecting events witht(π^- →Kππ)>1.2GeV². An enhancement with a mass of 1294±10 MeV and a width of 66±15 MeV is observed in the (Kππ) mass distribution. A spin-parity analysis of the (Kππ) decay Dalitz plot shows the enhancement to be in theJ ^P=1⁺ S(K?) wave and is therefore attributed toQ ₁-meson production. No evidence is found for the decayQ ₁→K ⁰ω but limited statistics allow only placing an upper limit of 30% for the decay ratioKω/K?⁰. TheQ ₁ production cross section fort(π^- →Kππ)>1.2GeV² is 8±1.3 μb. No evidence is found for the process π^- p→Q ₂Λ withQ ₂→K ^*π for which the partial wave analysis gives an upper cross section limit of 2.5 μb at the 95% confidence level.     

Study of the missing-mass spectra in the reactions π−d → K+ + MM and K−d → π+ + MM at 1.4 GeV/c to search for strange dibaryon states

The reactions π^?d → K⁺ + MM and K^?d → π⁺ + MM have been studied at 1.4 GeV/c to search for strange dibaryon states with quantum numbers Q = ?1, and S = ?1. No structures are found which could indicate the production of such states and upper limits for the cross sections are established.