Elastic unitarity and the K-matrix in a Lorentz covariant representation of the NN interaction

A Lorentz covariant representation of the NN t-matrix has been obtaained over the energy range from 150 to 500 MeV by solving the integral equation that connects the t-matrix with the K-matrix. The K-matrix is expanded in a complete set of on-shell Lorentz invariant amplitudes represented phenomenologically by isoscalar and isovector “meson” exchanges. The real part of the K-matrix is fit over the energy range from 150 to 500 MeV using coupling strengths that are allowed to vary quadratically with energy. Above the pion production threshold at T_lab = 280 MeV, the real K-matrix is supplemented by an imaginary part with linear energy dependence. The K-matrix parameters are fit to thesmost recent (January 1999) Arndt amplitudes [R.A. Arndt, D. Roper, VPI and SU Scattering Analysis Interactive Dial-in Program and Data Base]. Direct and exchange contributions to the K-matrix are handled explicitly in the formalism. The resulting t-matrix satisfies elastic unitary below the pion production threshold and contains non-local terms that are not present in direct Love-Franey parameterizations of the t-matrix. Results are given for the NN amplitudes and compared with both the Arndt amplitudes and amplitudes obtained from a direct fit of the t-matrix [O.V. Maxwell, Nucl. Phys. A 600 (1996) 509]. Results are also given for a selected set of np and pp observables.     

Impact parameter analysis of KN and πN scattering in the intermediate energy region

We have evaluated the s-channel-helicity partial-wave amplitudes for $\text{K}\text{N and πN}$ scattering as functions of the impact parameter using partial-wave data in the energy range P_L≈1.0–2.0 GeV/c. We find that the $\text{K}\text{N}$ background and resonance amplitudes exhibit features consistent with the dual absorptive picture for pomeron and f + ω and A₂ + ? exchanges. Comparison of the πN low-energy amplitude with the partial-wave decomposition of a quantitative Regge model gives evidence for local duality between the s-channel resonance and t- and u-channel Regge exchanges.     

Double Regge exchange phenomenology

We construct a double Regge exchange amplitude which has the proper analytic structure and which is phenomenologically viable. The various couplings involved can be estimated using pole extrapolation techniques which are successful in two-body scattering. We explicitly calculate the double Regge exchange contributions to the well-measured, and related, processes K^±p → K⁰π^±p and π^?p → K^?K⁰p. In this way the observed features of the dimeson partial-wave production amplitudes are used to text the double-exchange approach.     

Two body reactions and the quark model

A simple quark model for two-body hadronic amplitudes is presented and applied to pp ($\text{p}\text{p}$) and K^±p elastic scattering. Hadronic processes are described in terms of quark-quark scattering, using Glauber theory to take into account the effects of multiple scattering. Exchange degenerate Regge poles are introduced at the quark level. A predictive model for Regge cuts is obtained. It has some features in common with the dual absorption model in its correlation of dip structure and shrinkage in elastic processes with the exoticity of the s-channel but also significant differences, for example in the interpretation of the $\text{p}\text{p}$ dip. The qualitatively different structure in the pp differential cross section is also reproduced. It breaks exchange degeneracy in a well-defined way and in doing so offers an explanation of the differences between pp and K⁺p total cross sections. The difference in their differential cross sections is a natural consequence of the model and structure similar to the pp structure is predicted to appear in the K⁺p differential cross section in the region t ≈ ?2(GeV/c)².     

Phenomenological J-plane singularities of amplitudes at T = 0

The Mellin transforms of the imaginary parts of the πN forward amplitudes are computed from the experimental total cross sections. An analytic continuation of these transforms is performed to determine the phenomenological J-plane singularities at t = 0. The continuation supports the J-plane analyticity assumption in the case I = 0. A generalization of the method to non-forward t-values is indicated. The effective Regge cut is found to be small in I = 1 amplitudes.     

A modified K-matrix approach to many-channel processes

The definition of a K-matrix, that does not have the direct channel singularities of the scattering amplitude, is not unique. Different choices lead to different integral equations for K with different physical content. We discuss the choice where the intermediate states have a simple off-shell behaviour for each partial wave. Crossing leads to an identification of the singularities of the K-matrix elements and to an iterative method of finding the scattering amplitude starting from a “bare” world.     

Comparison between γN→π and πN→ϱN in the resonance region up to s=1.75 GeV via the vector-dominance-model

We display the helicity amplitudes for the N_? system for each J^P state of the N_π system in the reaction Nπ→N?. These amplitudes are obtained from a K-matrix fit to amplitudes of the reaction Nπ→Nπ and Nπ→Nππ (via the isobar model). We then take either these amplitudes or the resonance couplings estimated from these amplitudes and compare them to the photoproduction amplitudes via the V.D.M. Two possible kinematics are considered for the N_? system below its threshold. These four methods give a range in which the V.D.M. can be accomodated even at this low energy.     

On the Regge-pole description of nucleus-nucleus scattering

The properties of the Regge poles of theS-matrix for scattering of strongly-absorbed nuclear particles are considered. Simple formulae are obtained for describing the Regge trajectories in terms of the nuclear radius, the quasi stationary levels in the combined nuclear-Coulomb-potential and the widths of these levels. The predictions of these formulae are compared with the Regge trajectories obtained previously, for a Woods-Saxon potential, and with those required to fit¹⁶O-¹²C backward scattering.     

Regge extrapolation to the resonance region

The structure of dual amplitudes (beta functions) suggests that in non-exotic channels one should add to the usual Regge terms a second term which drops off as exp (?π Im α(s)) at large s but which is important for s?5 GeV². This “dual correction” multiplies the usual Regge imaginary part by an oscillating complex factor. With inclusion of such extra terms, it is possible to match πp amplitudes from phase-shift analyses significantly better than if the terms are omitted. The partial waves of a modified fit using the leading N, Δ, ?, f trajectories with a fixed-pole pomeron show much more of the correct resonant structure than do those of an unmodified fit.     

Kaon-nucleon finite energy sum rules revisited

Kaon-nucleon finite energy and continuous moment sum rule integrals are evaluated using recent phase-shift solutions to extract the t-channel exchange amplitudes and the results are compared with Regge pole models. The exchange degeneracy breaking previously observed in the ? and A₂ amplitudes is confirmed, and it is suggested that this may be due to an exotic P₀₁ KN resonance. Regge trajectories are extracted from the integrals and are in good agreement with those found from direct fits to high-energy data.     

Real parts of scattering amplitudes and Regge phenomenology

High energy scattering amplitudes are computed using the Harari model for the imaginary parts and fixed t dispersion relations for the real parts. This procedure induces a corrective term to the real part of the Regge amplitudes whose effects are investigated in π-nucleon and K-nucleon charge exchange reactions.     

Model independent analysis of the structure in pp scattering

An empirical study of the structure at $\text{t≈?1.1}\text{in}\text{d}\text{σ}\text{d}\text{t}$ (pp → pp), in terms of two exponential amplitudes plus interference, gives the following results. The steeper exponential shows standard Regge shrinkage, corresponding to a trajectory α ≈1+0.3 t. The other exponential slope stays constant; the overall energy dependence of this amplitude is approximately s^?1 for 10–30 GeV, leveling off possibly to a constant at ISR. The relative phase is about 2.1 rad at the lower momenta, becoming 2.5 at ISR. These results suggest a simple physical picture, in which a relatively unstructured shrinking Regge amplitude interferes with an even-signature non-Regge background. This interpretation predicts that the interference minimum in $\text{d}\text{σ}\text{d}\text{t}$ is deepest at an intermediate momentum near 175 GeV where measurements will soon be made at NAL.     

Regge theory and QCD in large-angle scattering

We argue that exclusive processes whose cross-sections are determined by Regge pole trajectory exchanges, α(t), at small momentum transfers (t), are controlled by these same exchanges at very large |t| too. The analysis is based on a Reggeized version of the constituent interchange model (CIM), which predicts that α(t)→?1 ast→?∞, and that the asymptotic form of the Regge residues is fixed by the dimensional counting rules and CIM constraints. Between the two regimes of soft and hard scattering there is an intermediate region where Regge cuts are important, but these higher-twist effects die away as |t| is increased. We show that this hypothesis is consistent with high energy nucleon-nucleon and pion-nucleon scattering at all angles.     

A dynamical theory for the off-shell continuation of the πNt-matrix

A dynamical theory, based on analyticity and dispersion theory, for the half-off-shell continuation of the on-shell πNt-matrix is proposed and developed. The resulting half-shell t-matrix is covariant, unitary, crossing symmetric, and based on a field-theoretic foundation. The dynamical information required to continue half off shell is obtained from field theory and consists of the off-shell amplitudes corresponding to the exchanges of the nucleon in the s- and u-channels and the ? and σ mesons in the t-channel. A coupled system of integral equations is derived for the partial wave half-shell t-matrix, which is truncated at the S- and P-waves and solved numerically. The results are compared with those obtained from various separable models of the πNt-matrix. The half-shell t-matrix is examined for separability and is found to be approximately separable in the P₃₃ and P₃₁ states. The dynamical content of the half-shell t-matrix is further illustrated by modeling the dynamical equation.     

A study of elastic photoproduction of low massK + K − pairs from hydrogen in the energy range 2.8–4.8 GeV

The results of an experiment to study elasticK ⁺ K ^? photoproduction are presented. Differential cross sections and spin density matrix elements for ?(1.019) production are stddied as a function of incident photon energy and over a wide range of momentum transfer,t (t _min >t>?1.5(GeV/c)²). Helicity conserving amplitudes are observed to dominate ? production throughout this range and the differential cross sections exhibit a forward diffractive peak which cannot be understood in terms of a simple exponential dependence. A new value of the photon ? coupling constant is determined and shown to be consistent withe ⁺ e ^? annihilation measurements. A detailed study of the energy dependence of the differential cross sections is made, including other experimental data, and the extracted effective Regge trajectory compared with other diffractive processes. A study of the dependence of theK ⁺ K ^? decay angular distribution on invariant mass reveals evidence for ans wave contribution interfering with thep wave ? which may be attributable to theS ^* meson.