Photoproduction ofK+Mesons

Abstract

The photoproduction in hydrogen of $K^{+}$ mesons in association with hyperons has been studied using an 1160-Mev bremsstrahlung beam from the Cornell Synchrotron. The $K$ mesons were selected with a magnetic analyzer and counter telescope system. They were further identified by bringing them to rest in a stopping block and by the detection of the particles arising from their decay. The angular distribution for the associated production of $K^{+}$ mesons with ${\Lambda }^0$ hyperons at the photon energies of 980 and 1010 Mev has been studied. Measurements were also made of the cross section as a function of photon energy for the center-of-mass angle of 85 degrees. The results of these measurements are compatible with $S$-wave production. The photoproduction of ${\Sigma }^0$ hyperons in association with $K^{+}$ mesons has also been measured for one set of kinematical conditions. The measured ($K^{+}-{\Sigma }^0$) cross section is comparable to that of the ($K^{+}-{\Lambda }^0$) process.