Particle and antiparticle production by 200 GeV/ c protons in the charged hyperon beam at the CERN SPS

Abstract

A charge hyperon beam has been brought into operation at the CERN SPS. Particles are identified by a DISC Čerenkov counter, and decay products are analysed by a magnetic spectrometer. Cross sections for the inclusive production of π +, K +, p, Σ +, Σ − , ζ − , d, and π −, K −, p , Σ + , Σ −, ζ −, ω −, d in the forward direction have been measured at laboratory momenta between 70 and 130 GeV/ c. This range of momenta corresponds to 0.35 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.66 for an incident proton momentum of 200 GeV/ c. Antihyperon ( Σ − , ζ − , Σ + ) and Σ + and ω − fluxes have been measured for the first time in a hyperon beam. Scaling behaviour is observed when the data are compared with the results from other experiments. The inclusive particle production cross sections have a (1 − x) n dependence, where n is characteristics of the particle. A search has been made for new particles in the mass range 2–10 GeV/ c 2. No evidence is found for such particles.