Analysis of K −K + and π−π+ final states in 13 GeV K −p interactions

Abstract

The differential cross sections and density matrix elements for the φ and ϱ 0 mesons have been measured in the reactions K −p → K −K + ( Λ, Σ 0) and K −p → π − π + ( Λ, Σ 0) at 13 GeV using a wire chamber spectrometer. The analysis shows that while the vector meson production is dominated by the natural parity exchange amplitude, some unnatural parity exchange is also required. Furthermore the φ and ϱ natural exchange cross sections are identical in shape and have the 2:1 relative strength expected in the quark model with K ∗ and K ∗∗ exchange degeneracy. The analysis of the clear peak-dip ϱ 0 − ω interference pattern observed in the π − π + data indicates that the ω production is in phase with the ϱ and of similar magnitude. Both the S ∗ and f′ meson are clearly observed in this experiment. The S ∗ data are found to be consistent with S ∗ parameters deduced from ππ scattering analyses. The f′ density matrix elements and a new limit of the f′ → π − π + branching ratio are presented.