Partial-wave analysis of the Q region in the reactions K −p → K −π+π−p and [formula omitted] at 14.3 GeV/ c

Abstract

We have studied the reactions K −p → K − π + π −p and K − p → K 0π −π 0 p at 14.3 GeV/ c using respectively 15 992 and 3723 events. Partial-wave analysis of the region 1.0 < m(K ππ) < 1.7 GeV have been made using a modified version of the method developed at the University of Illinois. We have measured the cross section as a function of mass for each spin-parity state of the K ππ system. Results from the two reactions are in excellent agreement and indicate an overall isospin of 1 2 . We find that the Q enhancement is predominantly J P = 1 + but that the partial-wave substates have very different branching ratios into K ϱ and K ∗π , the K ∗π component of the 1 + state being similar to the 1 + state of the 3 π system produced in the reaction πp → (3 π)p.