K−pElastic Scattering at 4.6 GeV/c

Abstract

$K^{-}p$ elastic scattering at 4.6 GeV/c is studied with a sample of approximately 2000 bubble chamber events. The elastic cross section is found to be ${\sigma }_{\mathrm{el}}=4.2\mathrm{}\pm 03$ mb, and $\frac{{\sigma }_{\mathrm{el}}}{{\sigma }_{\mathrm{tot}}}=0.168\mathrm{}\pm 0.017$. The value of the forward differential cross section is consistent with zero real part of the scattering amplitude. No backward scattering events are observed. The Regge-pole model of Phillips and Rarita gives a reasonable fit to the data.