Production of ϱ0 and f in K −p interactions at 10 and 16 GeV/c: Estimation of the central and fragmentation parts of ϱ0 production and comparison with the quark model

Abstract

Inclusive production of ϱ 0(770) and f(1270) is studied in K −p interactions at 10 and 16 GeV/ c. Compared to ϱ 0, the production of f is smaller by a factor of about 5. The average numbers, per inelastic interaction, of ρ 0 and f mesons associated with a Λ hyperon are comparable to those found inclusively in π ± interactions at 16 GeV/ c. In events associated with a K 0 , instead, the average multiplicity of ϱ 0 and f is considerably smaller. It is found that, of the total inclusive cross section for K −p → π 0 + anything at 10–16 GeV/ c, 1.5 ± 0.5 mb arise from central production and 1.4 ± 0.6 mb from the fragmentation of the beam K −. The ratio of the inclusive ϱ 0 yields K −p and in π −p interactions is in agreement with a quark-model prediction. The pions deriving from ϱ 0 decays in K −p interactions are (11 ± 2)% of all charged pions produced.