Vector and tensor meson production in K −p interactions at 32 GeV/ c

Abstract

Inclusive production of vector and tensor mesons is studied in a K −p experiment at 32 GeV/ c in the MIRABELLE bubble chamber. The K ∗ 0 (890) , ϱ 0 and ω cross sections are comparable, about 4 mb each. The K ∗ 0 (1420 and cross sections are also comparable, about 1 mb each. The K ∗ o ̈ + (890), Φ, K ∗ o ̈ − (1420) and f cross sections beam fragmentation; ϱ production is almost forward-backward symmetric in the c.m.s. The p T production slopes of K ∗ o ̈ − (890) and ϱ are similar, the Φ slope is shallower. Vector and tensor mesons alone are responsible for ≅50% (≅60%) of final-state pions