Kaon-induced deuteron disintegration with two-body final states

Abstract

Integrated cross sections for the reactions K −d → Σ −p and K −d → Λn have been obtained within a simple model that involves excitation of an S = − l, I = 0 or 1 resonance (Y ∗) followed by a pseudoscalar meson exchange that deexcites the resonance and transfers momentum to the other nucleon. The model incorporates the eight well-established Y ∗ below 1700 MeV with coupling strengths estimated from partial decay widths and SU(3) symmetry relations. Initial-state correlations are included through the deuteron wave function, obtained with the Reid NN interaction, while final-state correlations are ignored. When examined as functions of the laboratory kaon momentum, the cross sections computed with form factors omitted exhibit two prominent features: a narrow structure centred at 385 MeV/ c, due almost entirely to Λ(1520) excitation, and a broader peak around 700 MeV/ c, that is associated with several overlapping resonances above 1650 MeV. In principle, these two structures could provide coupling-strength information within a more quantitative model. Both peaks are quite sensitive to the inclusion of form factors, however, and may be difficult to detect if the phenomenologically required form factors are as long-ranged as the sparse data presently available indicate.