Λp elastic scattering in the CLAS detector

Abstract

The elastic scattering process Λp → Λp offers insights on multiple problems in nuclear physics. SU(3)F symmetry implies a close agreement between the Λp and pp scattering cross sections. The Λp elastic scattering cross section can also illuminate the structure of neutron stars. A data-mining project was started using multiple CLAS data sets taken for other purposes with photon beams on a long liquid hydrogen target. A Λ produced in a process such as γp → K+ Λ can interact with a second proton inside the target before either decaying or leaving the target. The good angular acceptance and momentum resolution of CLAS make it well-suited for this type of analysis, even though it was not designed for such a measurement. The scattered Λ can be identified from the π− p invariant mass. The four-vector of the initial Λ is then reconstructed in the process Xp → Λp, which shows a strong peak at the Λ mass with roughly twice the number of events as the existing world data sample. This observation opens up the possibility of other measurements using secondary beams of short-lived particles. This paper will discuss the current status of the analysis, and our plans for future work on this project.