The missing mass squared dependence of the average charged particle multiplicity in the reaction K+p → KoX++ from 5–16 GeV/c

The average charged particle multiplicity, 〈n_ch(M_X²)〉, in the reaction K⁺p→K^oX⁺⁺ is studied as a function of the mass squared, M_X², of the recoil system X and also as a function of the K^o transverse momentum, p_T, at incident momenta of 5.0, 8.2 and 16.0 GeV/c. The complete data samples yield distributions which are not independent of c.m. energy squared, s, They exhibit a linear dependence on log (M_X²_X/M_o²)[M_o²=1 GeV²] with a change in slope occurring for M_X²≈s/2, and do not agree with the corresponding distributions of 〈n_ch〉 as a function of s for K⁺ p inelastic scattering. Sub-samples of the data for which K^o production via beam fragmentation, central production and target fragmentation are expected to be the dominant mechanisms show that, within error, the distribution of 〈n_ch(M_X²)〉 versus M_X² is independent of incident momentum for each sub-sample separately. In particular in the beam fragmentation region the 〈n_ch(M_X²)〉 versus M_X² distribution agrees rather well with that of 〈n_ch〉 versus s for inelastic K⁺p interactions. The latter result agrees with recent results on the reactions pp → pX and π^?p → pX in the NAL energy range. Evidence is presented for the presence of different production mechanisms in these separate regions.     

Hierarchy of mean multiplicities in pn and π+n interactions at 195 GeV/c

The dependence of the average charged multiplicity, 〈n_X〉, of the system X on |t| and M²_X is studied for the reactions p(π⁺)n→p_fast(p⁺_fast) + X and p(π⁺)n→p_slow + X at 195 GeV/c. For a fixed M²_X, 〈n_X〉 changes significantly among these reactions, yielding a systematic hierarchy of mean multiplicities. The results indicate that a proton emits on the average less charged particles than a pion and more than a neutron.     

Diffraction dissociation in the reaction p+p→Λ°+K++p at the CERN ISR

The exclusive reaction pp→Λ°K⁺p has been studied at 0.1<?t_pp<0.6 GeV² and energies √s=45 GeV and 53 GeV at the CERN ISR. Diffractive excitation p→Λ°K⁺ occurs predominantly in the mass range M(Λ°K⁺)≈2.1 GeV and peaks at 1.7 GeV. The cross section for pp→Λ°K⁺p is 10±3μb for M(Λ°K⁺)<2.5 GeV, and the t_pp dependence is exp (bt) with b=7.0±0.5 GeV^?2.     

Measurement of the reactions K+d → K+d and K+d → p+pn and an investigation of elastic K+-nucleon scattering at 4.6 GeV/c

The coherent elastic reaction K⁺d → K⁺d and the break-up reaction K⁺d → K⁺pn are studied in a K⁺d experiment at 4.6 GeV/c which the CERN 2 m bubble chamber. Partial and differential cross sections are given and the slopes of the differential cross sections are determined. The results for the reaction K⁺d → K⁺p(n_s), where n_s denotes the spectator neutron, are compared with those of the reaction K⁺p → K⁺p on free protons. Combining our data with existing data on the reactions K⁺d → K⁰pp and K⁺p → K⁺p, parameters of the elastic K⁺-nucleon scattering at 4.6 GeV/c are determined in the framework of the Glauber model. The D-wave of the deuteron and spin-flip effects are taken into account.     

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.     

Charged particle multiplicity distributions for 32 GeV/c K±p and pp interactions and for 50 GeV/c π±p interactions

Topological cross sections are presented for K⁺p, K^?p and $\text{p}\text{p}$ interations at 32 GeV/c and for π⁺p and π^?p interactions at 50 GeV/c observed in the 4.5 m Mirabelle hydrogen bubble chamber at Serpukhov. Parameters characterizing the behaviour of the multiplicity distributions, namely 〈n_c〉, D and f₂ and the normalized moments are given. The dependence of these parameters on the energy and the nature of the beam particle is discussed. The multiplicity distributions obtained cannot be described by a single function in the KNO variables.     

First observation of the production and decay of the Σc+

An event with the decay chain Σ_c⁺ → Λ_c⁺ + π⁰, Λ_c⁺ → K^? + p + π⁺, has been observed in an exposure of BEBC, equipped with a track sensitive target, to the wide band neutrino beam from the SPS at CERN. The event has a unique three constraint kinematic fit to the ΔS = ?ΔQ reaction v + p → μ^? + p + K^? + π⁺ + π⁺ + π⁰ with both gammas from the π⁰ decay detected. The proton and other final state particles are identified. The masses are M(Λ_c⁺) = 2290 ± 3 MeV/c², M(Σ_c⁺) = 2457 ± 4 MeV/c² and M(Σ_c⁺) ? M(Λ_c⁺) = 168 ± 3 MeV/c². Including other data one obtains M (Σ_c⁺⁺) ? M(Σ_c⁺) = 0 ± 4 MeV/c².     

Inclusive single and double diffractive dissociations inK + p interactions at 32 GeV/c

We study single and double inclusive diffractive production in a 32 GeV/c K ⁺ p experiment in MIRABELLE at the Serpukhov accelerator. From reactionsK ⁺ p→K ⁺+X ⁺ andK ⁺ p→X ⁺+p we determine the total proton and kaon single diffractive dissociation cross sections \(\sigma (p\xrightarrow{{K^ + }}p_D ) = 0.90 \pm 0.12 mb\) and \(\sigma (K^ + \xrightarrow{p}K_D^ + ) = 0\) . 90±0.17 mb, respectively. In either case the only notable contributions come from dissociations into 1 and 3 charged particles. Kaon dissociation exhibits a pronounced slope-mass correlation. The search for double diffractive production in reactionsK ⁺ p→(K ⁺π^?π⁺)+X ⁺ andK ⁺ p→(pπ ⁺ π ^?)+X ⁺ leads in either case to an estimated total double diffractive cross section σ(K ⁺p→K _D ⁺ p_D) of ?220 μb. The double dissociation differential cross section exhibits a large slope of ?10GeV^?2 in the nearthreshold mass region, rapidly decreasing to ?4 GeV^?2 with increasing excitation mass. At our c.m. energy \((\sqrt s \simeq 8 GeV)\) the ratio σ_{inel dif}/σ_el is 0.85±0.10, the total diffractive cross section σ_dif≡σ_el+σ_{inel dif}=4.41±0.24 mb and the fraction σ_dif(K ⁺ p)/σ_tot(K ⁺ p) is 25±2%. TheK ⁺ andK ^? diffractive excitation mass spectra, differential cross sections and total diffractive cross sections are very similar for both single and double dissociations.     

Pion-pion phase shift and K2π decay

We remark that, using the Cabibbo transformation properties for the weak Hamiltonian we can obtain Δ₀ = δ₀⁽⁰⁾ (s = M_K⁽²⁾ (s = M_K²) from the experimental decay rates for K_s → 2π, K⁺ → π⁰π⁺, obtaining δ₀ = 58.0° ± 4.6°. This result implies in particular a value of ≈ 0.6 for the S-wave isospin zero scattering length, in accordance with K_e4 results but in violent disagreement with Weinberg's calculation.     

Pomeron dominance in a triple-Regge representation of inclusive Δ++ production in K−p and π−p reactions

Data are presented on the reactions K^?p → Δ⁺⁺ + anything at 10 and 16 GeV/c and π^?p → Δ⁺⁺ + anything at 16 GeV/c. In the K^?p reaction, scaling is observed between 10 and 16 GeV/c in the variable M²/s. The scaling occurs at relatively low values of M in marked contrast to the reaction π⁺p → Δ⁺⁺ + anything. This result can be explained by duality arguments on a triple Regge picture, since the exchanged reggeon-incident particle scattering is exotic. Comparison of the π^?p reaction, which is similarly exotic, with the K^?p reaction at the same energy gives further evidence for factorization in pomeron-dominated inclusive reactions.     

First exclusive measurements of the K − pp state populated in the pp → K + Λp reaction at 2.85 GeV

We have analyzed data of the DISTO experiment on the exclusive pp → K ^?+? Λp process at T _p ?=?2.85 GeV to search for a K ^??? pp  (?≡?X) nuclear bound state to be formed in the pp → K ^?+??+?X reaction. The deviation spectra of the K ^?+? missing-mass ΔM (K ^?+?) and Λp invariant-mass M(Λp) with selection of large-angle proton emission revealed a structure with M _X ?=?2265 ±2 MeV/c ² and Γ _X ?=?118 ±8 MeV.     

Phase-shift analysis of π N → K Σ

We have performed an energy-independent phase-shift analysis of πN → KΣ by analyzing differential cross-section and polarization data for the reactions π⁺p → K⁺∑⁺ and

at fifteen energies from threshold to 2137 MeV invariant mass. The single-energy solutions were linked by shortest-path methods with and without constraints implied by the Odorico zeros for the reaction π^?p → K⁺Σ^?. Similar to π^?p → KΛ it has been found that both isostates are dominated below 1900 MeV by resonances in the spin $\text{1}\text{2}$ waves. The F₃₇ resonance couples to KΣ with √x_πNx_KΣ= 0.04.     

Backward production of a spin-parity 1+ Kϱ resonance at 1.28 GeV

A (K_ππ)⁺ mass enhancement is observed in the reactions K^?p → Ξ ?K^o+π⁺π^o? when events with a small (K^? → Ξ^?) four momentum transfer squared are selected. The signal is also visible in the reaction K^?p → Ξ^?π⁺+ neutrals. The enhancement, centered at 1.28 GeV, is seen to decay preferentially into K? with spin-parity J^P = 1⁺. The cross section for K^?p→ Ξ^?C⁺(1.28) with C⁺ → K? at 4.15 GeV/c incident K^? momentum is (6.2 ± 0.6) μb.     

Study of proton dissociation into ΛK+ in 3-body final states at 10 and 16 GeV/c

Results are presented for p → (ΛK⁺) dissociation in the reactions K^?p → ΛK⁺K^? and and π^±p → ΛK⁺π^±at 10 and 16 GeV/c. The cross sections for the low-mass ΛK⁺ enhancement are compatible with the energy dependence σ ∝ p_lab^?0.3. The t′ spectra or the (ΛK⁺) threshold enhancement are exponential in shape. Its decay angular distribution reveals neither s-channel nor t-channel helicity conservation. The relative probabilities of the processes $\text{p}\text{→}\text{p, p}\text{→ (}\text{N}\text{π)}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>I=</mtext><mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{and p}\text{→ (Λ}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}$ dissociation are in the ratios 100 : 10 : 0.2, independent of the nature of the incident particle.     

Two-nucleon production of hyperons and the search for strange dibaryons

The double charge exchange reaction³He(K^?,π ⁺)Xn was studied at 870 MeV/c. In the X missing mass range below the sigma-nucleon production threshold (2130 MeV/c²), events were detected which can be attributed to the two-nucleon process pp(K^?,π ⁺)λn. This reaction and mass range also offers good prospects for finding theI=1/2,l=1 (¹ P₁) spin-singlet dibaryon D_s suggested as the lowest massS=?1 dibaryon in the MIT Bag Model. Although the existence of the D_s is not ruled out by the present data, there is no need to invoke such an object to account for the observed events below σ production threshold. We show that the cross section level for these events is compatible with a dominant two-nucleon mechanism K^?p→π ⁰λ,π ⁰p →π ⁺n. We also offer an interpretation of the recent (K^?,K⁺) data on nuclear targets from Iijimaet al., which display a broad peak centered around a K⁺ momentum of 600 MeV/c. We find that the two-nucleon mechanism K^?N →πY,πN→K⁺Y produces cross sections which are at least an order of magnitude smaller than those observed, and we suggest that the one nucleon process K^?p →Φλ, followed by the decayΦ → K⁺K^?, accounts for the data.     

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).     

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.     

A spin-parity analysis of the K+K+K− system produced in the reaction K+p → K+K+K−p

We present the first spin-parity analysis of the K⁺K⁺K^?) system produced in the reaction K⁺p → K⁺K⁺K^?p, and show that the general features of this system resemble those of the (ππ⁺π^?) and Kπ⁺π^?) systems produced in the reactions π(K)p → π(K)π⁺π^?p. There is a low mass enhancement, (47 ± 11)% of which corresponds to 1⁺ states decaying to Kø. At higher (K⁺K⁺K^?) masses 2^? → Kf′ becomes increasingly significant and at all masses there is a 0^? contribution of roughly 30%.