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.     

Subthreshold and near threshold K+ meson photoproduction\newline on nuclei

The inclusive K⁺ meson production in photon–induced reactions in the near threshold and subthreshold energy regimes is analyzed with respect to the one–step (γN→K ⁺ Y, Y=Λ,Σ) incoherent production processes on the basis of an appropriate new folding model, which takes properly into account the struck target nucleon removal energy and internal momentum distribution (nucleon spectral function), extracted from recent quasielastic electron scattering experiments and from many–body calculations with realistic models of the NN interaction. Simple parametrizations for the total and differential cross sections of the K⁺ production in photon–nucleon collisions are presented. Comparison of the model calculations of the K⁺ differential cross sections for the reaction γ+C¹² in the threshold region with the existing experimental data is given, that displays the contributions to the K⁺ production at considered incident energies coming from the use of the single–particle part as well as high momentum and high removal energy part of the nucleon spectral function. Detailed predictions for the K⁺ total and differential cross sections from γH², γC¹² and γPb²⁰⁸ reactions at subthreshold and near threshold energies are provided. The influence of the uncertainties in the elementary K⁺ production cross sections on the K⁺ yield is explored. Received: 12 April 1999 / Revised version: 11 September 1999     

Subthreshold K + meson production in proton–nucleus reactions and nucleon spectral function

The 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 on the basis of an appropriate new folding model, which takes properly into account the struck target nucleon removal energy and momentum distribution (nucleon spectral function), extracted from recent quasielastic electron scattering experiments and from many–body calculations with realistic models of the NN interaction. Comparison of the model calculations of the K ⁺ total and double differential cross sections for the reaction p+C ¹² with the existing experimental data is given, illustrating both the relative role of the primary and secondary production channels at considered incident energies and those features of the cross sections which are sensitive to the high momentum and high removal energy part of the nucleon spectral function that is governed by nucleon–nucleon short–range and tensor correlations. It is found that the in–medium modifications of the available for pion and kaon production invariant energies squared due to the respective optical potentials are needed to account for considered experimental data. Received: 2 April 1997 / Revised version: 7 August 1997     

Antikaon production and medium effects in proton-nucleus reactions at subthreshold beam energies

Inclusive K ^?-meson production in proton-nucleus collisions in the subthreshold-energy regime is analyzed within an appropriate folding model for incoherent primary proton-nucleon and secondary pion-nucleon production processes, which takes properly into account the struck-target-nucleon momentum and removal-energy distribution (nucleon spectral function), novel elementary cross sections for proton-nucleon reaction channels close to threshold, as well as nuclear mean-field potential effects on the one-step and two-step antikaon-creation processes. A detailed comparison of the model calculations of the K ^? differential cross sections for the reactions p+⁹Be and p+⁶³Cu at subthreshold energies with the first experimental data obtained at the ITEP proton synchrotron is given. It displays both the relative role of the primary and secondary production channels at incident energies considered and the contributions to K ^? production that come from the use of the single-particle part and high-momentum-energy part of the nucleon spectral function. It is found that the pion-nucleon production channel does not dominate in the subthreshold “hard” antikaon production in p ⁹Be and p ⁶³Cu collisions and that the main contributions to the antikaon yields here come from the direct K ^?-production mechanism. The influence of the nucleon, kaon, and antikaon mean-field potentials on the K ^? yield is explored. It is shown that the effect of the nucleon mean field is of importance in explaining the considered experimental data on “hard” antikaon production, whereas the K ⁺ andK ^? optical potentials play a minor role. The sensitivity of subthreshold “soft” antikaon production in p ⁹Be reactions to the nucleon, kaon, and antikaon mean fields is studied. It is demonstrated that, contrary to the case of “hard” antikaon production, the K ^? potential has a very strong effect on the K ^? yield, which is comparable with that from the nucleon effective potential.     

SubthresholdK + production on nuclei byπ + mesons

The inclusiveK ⁺ mesons production inπ ⁺-nucleus reactions in the subthreshold energy regime is analyzed with respect to the one-step (π ⁺ n→K ⁺ Λ) and the two-step (π ⁺ n→ηp ₁,ηp ₂→K ⁺ Λ) incoherent production processes on the basis of an appropriate folding model, which allows one to take into account the various forms of an internal nucleon momentum distribution as well as on- and off-shell propagation of the struck target nucleon. Contrary to proton-nucleus reactions primary reaction channel is found to be significant practically at all considered energies. Detailed predictions for theK ⁺ total and invariant differential cross sections fromπ ⁺C¹²- andπ ⁺Pb²⁰⁸-collisions at subthreshold energies are provided.     

SubthresholdK + production in proton-nucleus collisions as a probe for short range nucleon correlations

Double differential cross sections for nearthreshold and subthreshold production ofK ⁺ with momentum 1.28 GeV/c at 10.5 degree on Be, Al and Cu targets had been measured. The experiment was performed with FH Spectrometer at ITEP PS in projectile proton kinetic energy range 2.9 – 1.65 GeV. The performed analysis of the excitation functions and target atomic mass dependencies evidences for high order multinucleon correlations are involved in deep subthreshold kaon production.     

Antikaon production and medium effects in proton-nucleus reactions at subthreshold beam energies

The inclusive K ^--meson production in proton-nucleus collisions in the subthreshold energy regime is analyzed in the framework of an appropriate folding model for incoherent primary proton-nucleon and secondary pion-nucleon production processes, which takes properly into account the struck target nucleon momentum and removal energy 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 antikaon creation processes. A detailed comparison of the model calculations of the K ^- differential cross-sections for the reactions p + ⁹Be and p + ⁶³Cu at subthreshold energies with the first experimental data obtained at the ITEP proton synchrotron is given, that displays both the relative role of the primary and secondary production channels at considered incident energies and the contributions to the K ^- production coming from the use of the single-particle part as well as high-momentum-energy part of the nucleon spectral function. It is found that the pion-nucleon production channel does not dominate in the subthreshold “hard” antikaon production in p ⁹Be-, p ⁶³Cu-collisions and the main contributions to the antikaon yields here come from the direct K ^- production mechanism. The influence of the nucleon, kaon and antikaon mean-field potentials on the K ^- yield is explored. It is shown that the effect of the nucleon mean-field is of importance in explaining the considered experimental data on “hard” antikaon production, whereas the K ⁺ and K ^- optical potentials play a minor role. The sensitivity of the subthreshold “soft” antikaon production in p ⁹Be-, p ¹²C-reactions to the nucleon, kaon and antikaon mean fields is studied. It is demonstrated that, contrary to the case of “hard” antikaon production, the K ^- potential has a very strong effect on the K ^- yield, which is greater than that from nucleon effective potential. Received: 20 July 2000 / Accepted: 4 December 2000     

Subthreshold <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Superscript>−</Superscript>-meson production in proton-nucleus reactions revisited

The inclusive K^?-meson production in proton-nucleus collisions in the subthreshold energy regime is studied in the framework of an appropriate spectral function approach for incoherent primary proton-nucleon and secondary pion-nucleon production processes, which takes properly into account the nuclear mean-field potential effects on these processes as well as the final state interaction (FSI) among the outgoing nucleons participating in the one-step antikaon creation process. A detailed comparison of the model calculations of the K^? differential cross sections is given for the reactions p + ⁹Be, p + ⁶³Cu, and p + ¹⁹⁷Au at subthreshold energies with the currently available experimental data obtained recently at the ITEP proton synchrotron and at SIS/GSI. It is found that the calculations with inclusion of the influence of both the nuclear density-dependent mean-field potentials and the elementary NN-FSI effects on the K^? production from direct mechanism are able to reproduce, contrary to previous estimates based on the use only of the density-dependent mean fields in calculating the K^? yield from this mechanism, the energy dependences of the invariant differential cross sections for “hard” antikaon creation in p⁹Be and p⁶³Cu collisions. It is further shown that the NN-FSI effects play a minor role in describing the data on the spectrum of relatively soft K^? mesons from p¹⁹⁷Au interactions at incident energy of 2.5 GeV. It is also shown that the relative strength of the proton-and pion-induced reaction channels in the subthreshold energy regime is governed by the kinematics of the experiment under consideration. The influence of the nucleon, kaon, and antikaon mean-field potentials on the K^? yield is explored. It is demonstrated that, in line with previous findings, the K^? optical potential has a strong effect on this yield at low antikaon momenta, which is greater than those from nucleon and kaon effective potentials. At high antikaon momenta, the K^? yield is found to be mainly determined, along with the elementary NN-FSI effects, by the nucleon mean field and the scenario with zero K⁺ potential is favorable.     

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.     

Experimental study of the subthreshold production of K +-mesons in proton-nucleus collisions

Energy dependence of the differential cross sections for the production of K ⁺-mesons with a momentum of 1.28 GeV/c (c is the speed of light) by protons incident on Be, Al, Cu, and Ta nuclei was measured for energies both above and below the K ⁺-meson production threshold in pp collisions. Evidence is given for the dominance of the mechanism of direct production in the experiment. The characteristics of momentum distribution are determined for nucleons in the Be and Al nuclei up to 650 MeV/c. The data cannot be described in the model of nuclear spectral function.     

Pion and kaon production in 70 GeV/c K − p interactions

Results are presented on the total and differential cross sections for the production of π⁺, π^?, γ, \(\bar K^0 \) ,K ⁰,K ⁺, andK ^? in theK ^? p interactions at 70 GeV/c. The energy dependence of the various production processes shows in paticular a strong rise of the γ cross section and an increase of the average transverse momentum of the charged pion in the fragmentation regions.     

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.     

Heavy meson production in proton-nucleus reactions with empirical spectral functions

We study the production of K ⁺, ρ, ω and ? mesons in p ⁺¹² C reactions on the basis of empirical spectral functions. The high momentum, high removal energy part of the spectral function is found to be negligible in all cases close to the absolute threshold. Furthermore, the two-step process (pN → π N N; π N → N + K ⁺, ρ,ω,?) dominates the cross section at threshold energies in line with earlier calculations based on the folding model.     

Selective excitation in kaon-nucleus inelastic scattering

The K⁺ meson (kaon) inelastic excitation of low-lying (E_x = 0–15 MeV) T = 0 collective states in ¹⁶O is theoretically studied as a function of energy and momentum transfer. The distorted wave impulse approximation is used to calculate angular distributions and total inelastic cross sections for exciting the first J^π = 2⁺, 3^?, 4⁺ and 5^? states at lab energies from threshold to 400 MeV. The distortions are represented in a Kisslinger-type optical potential constructed from elementary K⁺-nucleon amplitudes. Total nuclear elastic and reaction K⁺-nucleus cross sections are computed to demonstrate sensitivity to choice in K⁺-nucleon amplitudes. Fermi motion effects are also assessed using a simple averaging procedure. The weak absorption character of the kaon is reflected in the inelastic calculations which predict selective excitation of low spin states at low momentum transfer and high spin states at high momentum transfer.     

Neutral kaon production inK + p and π+ p interactions at 250 GeV/c

The inclusive production of neutral kaons is studied inK ⁺ p and π⁺ p interactions at 250 GeV/c. Total and semi-inclusive cross sections and average kaon multiplicities are presented and compared with the data at lower energies. The longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions and their energy dependence are analyzed. The results are interpreted in the framework of recent parton models.     

Subthreshold K− production in pion-nucleus reactions

The inclusive subthresholdK ^– mesons production in charged pion-induced reactions is analyzed with respect to the one-step production processes on the basis of an appropriate first collision model, which allows one to take into account the various forms of an internal nucleon momentum distribution. Free elementary production processes are described by the phase space calculations normalized to the corresponding total experimental cross sections. Simple parametrizations for the total cross sections of theK ^– production in pion-nucleon collisions are given. Primary-pion energy dependence of the inclusive cross sections for K^– production in ⁺ C– collisions is calculated. The influence of the uncertainties in the elementaryK ^– production cross sections close to the production threshold on theK ^– yield is explored.The authors acknowledge stimulating discussions with V. Koptev on the initial stage of this study.     

核子动量分布对半经典扭曲波模型计算的影响

通过单体密度矩阵的Wigner变换把相干密度涨落模型引入半经典扭曲波模型,并应用于分析在80和160MeV入射能量时⁹⁰Zr(p,p′x)反应中非弹性散射到连续态的多步直接过程.包括三步过程的双微分截面计算值与实验值有较好的符合.考察了核子动量分布对双微分截面计算的影响,并细致分析了各个核子动量区间对截面的贡献. 关键词： 双微分截面 半经典扭曲波模型 相干密度涨落模型 多步直接过程     

Energy dependence of the cross sections for the e<Superscript>+</Superscript>e<Superscript>–</Superscript> → hadrons process near the production threshold for the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">N̄</Emphasis> pair

The energy dependence of the cross sections for the processes e⁺e^? → π⁺π^?π⁰, K⁺K^?, ηπ⁺π^?, ωπ₀, and K⁺K^?π⁺π^? is studied near the production threshold for a nucleon–antinucleon pair. It is shown that, within the measurement errors, the cross sections in question behave smoothly in this energy region.     

Neutral kaon production in K+p interactions at 32 GeV/c

The production of neutral kaons in the reaction K⁺p → Kⁿ + X is studied at the incident momentum of 32 GeV/c. Inclusive cross sections and single-particle distributions are presented and compared with the data at lower energies. The total inclusive cross section amounts to 7.9 ± 0.3 mb at 32 GeV/c and is significantly higher than at lower energies due to the rapid rise of multikaon production. The fraction of Kⁿ's coming from the decay of the K¹ resonances stays roughly constant with energy between 8.2 and 32 GeV/c. In the central and beam fragmentation regions the single-particle distributions reveal no energy dependence between the 16 and 32 GeV/c data in contrast with the behaviour at lower energies, while in the proton fragmentation region the data are compatible with the trend observed at lower energies and with theoretical expectations.