Inclusive strange particle production in π−p interactions at 6 GeV/c

The inclusive production of Λ, K_S⁰, Σ^±(1385) and $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{1\pm }}\text{(892)}$ in π^?p interactions at 6 GeV/c has been studied. The observed cross sections are: σ(Λ)=0.94±0.06 mb, σ(K_S⁰)=0.98±0.06 mb, σ(Σ⁺(1385))=60±7 μb, σ(Σ^?(1385))=90±9 μb, $\text{σ(}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{1+}}\text{(892))=216±28 μ}\text{b and}\text{σ(}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{1?}}\text{(892))=41±8 μ}\text{b}$, respectively. The inclusive spectra of these particles are presented as functions of squared transverse momentum and Feynman scaling variable x. The polarization of Λ has also been investigated. It is found from a comparison with higher-energy data that the inclusive cross sections for Σ^±(1385) and the production ratios Σ^±(1385)/Λ in π^?p at 6 GeV/c have not reached the high-energy limiting values.