Systematics of exclusive diffraction dissociation modes inK � p interactions at 32 GeV/c

Abstract

We present results of an investigation of diffraction dissociation in exclusive channels inK ± p interactions at 32 GeV/c. Total cross sections are determined forK ±→K ±π+π−,K ±2π+2π−,K 0π±π± K ±2π+π−,K ± K + K −,K ±p $$\bar p$$ , $$\bar \Lambda $$ p, andp→pπ +π−,p2π+2π−,pK +K−,ΛK +,ΛK +π+π− dissociation modes, ranging from a high of ≃ 300 μb to ∼ 3 μb. Thedσ/dt′ differential cross sections of most of the systems studied exhibit structure, with breaks of slope att′ ∼ 0.2 to 0.5 GeV2; some modes have a sharp forward spike with a slope exceeding 10 GeV−2. A systematic investigation of two-body dissociation modesK→A+B andp→A′+B′ shows that these cross sections decrease with increasing threshold massM A+M B, that they are comparable for kaon and proton dissociations at similar diffractive excitation masses and are systematically suppressed by a factor 3–4 for dissociations requiring an $$s\bar s$$ quark pair creation when compared to $$u\bar u$$ pair creation indicating a breakdown ofSU 3 symmetry for the $$q\bar q$$ sea.