Annihilation Productionp+p¯→Λ+Λ¯

Abstract

The reaction $p+\overline{p}\to \Lambda +\overline{\Lambda }$ is considered in this paper in full detail with the assumption that the process is dominated by the exchange of a $K^{*}$. Both the cases of an elementary and of a Regge-pole $K^{*}$ are discussed. Results on differential cross section, polarization functions, and angular correlation functions with various combinations of longitudinal and transverse polarizations of $\Lambda$ and $\overline{\Lambda }$ are presented. These values can be checked easily in a bubble chamber experiment. We find that from the differential cross section alone it is impossible to distinguish one type of $K^{*}$ from the other, but a measurement of the angular correlations may give deciding information.