Study of the reaction [formula omitted

Abstract

Results are presented on effective-mass distributions, differentisl cross sections and longitudinal c.m. momentum distributions for the channels K − p→ K − pπ o, K o pπ − and K −π + n , obtained from a sample of approximately 28 000 inelastic two-pronged interactions at 4.2 GeV/ c incident momentum. The results are in satisfactory agreement with the prediction of a generalized Veneziano-model corrected for (non-dual) π-and pomeron exchange. For the channel K −pπ o pomeron exchange contributes about 20% of the cross section. In the channel K −π +n the dual, pion and pomeron contributions are responsible for resp. 15%, 65% and 20% of the total cross section. We also present results on total and differential cross sections and spin-density matrix elements for the quasi two-body reactions K − p→ K ∗−(890) p and K ∗o(890) n . These results are compared with single Regge-pole exchange model predictions. The reaction mechanism of K ∗−(890) production is dominated by the ω(θ) trajectory exchange with some admixture of π-exchange. The mechanism for K ∗o(890) production is dominated by π-exchange with some admixture of (A 2) trajectory exchange.