Q o and [formula omitted]o production in K oLp interactions from 4 to 12 GeV/ c

Abstract

Experimental results are presented on the reactions K o p → Q o p and K o p → Q o p observed in the final state K S o π + π −p in the momentum range 4 to 12 GeV/ c. The data were acquired by exposing the SLAC 1m hydrogen bubble chamber to a neutral beam. Special emphasis is placed on a detailed comparison of the production characteristics of the two strangeness states. Cross sections, differential cross sections, density matrix elements, K ∗π mass spectra and exponential slopes of the momentum transfer distributions are presented for Q op and Q op. An important result of this study is the observation of a crossover at − t′ = 0.13±0.03 GeV 2 in the differential cross sections. We find that this effect is explained in analogy to elastic scattering by assuming that Regge, as well as pomeron, exchange contributes to Q-production. Calculations with a Reggeized Deck model are also made and we find that such models, as presently formulated, cannot explain the observed behavior of the differential cross sections or the energy dependence of the Q cross section.