Inclusive φ production in K−p and π+p interactions and comparison with J/ψ production

Abstract

The production of φ(1020) mesons is studied in bubble chamber experiments on 10 and 16 GeV/c K−p and 16 GeV/cπ+p interactions. At 16 GeV/c, the inclusive φ-production cross section is 0.39±0.05 mb with incident kaons and 0.13±0.03 mb with incident pions. The differential cross sections dσ/dpT2 and dσ/dx are determined, as well as the φ-meson decay angular distribution. Comparison is made with ψ(3100) production. Evidence is presented for the dominant role of kaon fragmentation in φ-production in K−p interactions and for remarkable similarities in φ- and ψ-production in π+p interactions.