Multi-reaction-channel fitting calculations in a coupled-channel model: Photoinduced strangeness production

To describe photo- and meson-induced reactions on the nucleon, one is faced with a rather extensive coupled-channel problem. Ignoring the effects of channel coupling, as one would do in describing a certain reaction at the tree level, invariably creates a large inconsistency between the different reactions that are described. In addition, the imaginary parts of the amplitude, which are related through the optical theorem, to total cross-sections, are directly reflected in certain polarization observables. Performing a full coupled-channel calculation thus offers the possibility to implement the maximum number of constraints. The drawback one is faced with is to arrive at a simultaneous fit of a large number of reaction channels. While some of the parameters are common to many reactions, one is still faced with the challenge to optimize a large number of parameters in a highly non-linear calculation. Here we show that such an approach is possible and present some results for photoinduced strangeness production.