We report results on inclusive production of the charmed baryon Λc+ from e+e− annihilations at s=10.5 GeV. Measurements are presented of the inclusive cross section times branching fraction for the continuum production of Λc+ as observed in six different decay modes, and of a new, improved value of the Λc+ mass. The inclusive cross section times the branching fraction into pK−π+ is measured to be 10.0±1.5±1.5 pb summed over all xp. The branching fractions of Λc+ into pK¯0, pK¯0π+π−, Λπ+, Λπ+π−π+, and Ξ−K+π+ relative to that into pK−π+ are measured to be 0.44±0.07±0.05, 0.43±0.12±0.04, 0.18±0.03±0.03, 0.65±0.11±0.12, and 0.15±0.04±0.03, respectively. The Λc+ mass is measured to be 2284.7±0.6±0.7 MeV/c2. The measured momentum distributions for continuum production of Λc+ are compared to analytical fragmentation functions and to other measurements.
Using the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we observe B-meson decays to Λc+ and report on improved measurements of inclusive branching fractions and momentum spectra of other baryons. For the inclusive decay B¯→Λc+X with Λc+→pK−π+, we find that the product branching fraction B(B¯→Λc+X)B(Λc+→pK−π+)=(0.273±0.051±0.039)%. Our measured inclusive branching fractions to noncharmed baryons are B(B→pX)=(8.0±0.5±0.3)%, B(B→ΛX)=(3.8±0.4±0.6)%, and B(B→Ξ−X)=(0.27±0.05±0.04)%. From these rates and studies of baryon-lepton and baryon-antibaryon correlations in B decays, we have estimated the branching fraction B(B¯→Λc+X) to be (6.4±0.8±0.8)%. Combining these results, we calculate B(Λc+→pK−π+) to be (4.3±1.0±0.8)%.
Using the ARGUS detector at DORIS we have observed the prediction of the charged D ∗ meson in e + e − annihilation at a center of mass energy of 10 GeV. The D ∗ fragmentation function has been measured using the decay channels D ∗+ → D 0 π + and D 0 → K − π + and K − π + π + π − .
The reaction γγ → 2 π + 2 π − π 0 has been studied using the the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. The production of the vector-meson pair ωϱ 0 is observed for the first time. The cross section for γγ → ωϱ 0 and the topological cross section for γγ → 2 π + 2 π − π 0 are given. The angular distribution in ωϱ 0 events do not indicate any specific dominant spin-parity; they are consistent with isotropic production and decay of the ω and ϱ 0 mesons over the available W γγ range.
Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e + e − storage ring we have measured direct photons from the decay ???(1 S )→ γgg . The ratio R γ = Γ (???(1S)→ γgg )/ Γ (???(1S)→ ggg )=(3.00±0.13±0.18)% has been determined, from which we deduce values of the strong coupling constant α s =0.225±0.011±0.019 and the QCD scale parameter Λ MS =115±17±28 MeV defined in the modified minimal-subtraction scheme. The shape of the measured spectrum clearly rules out the predictions of the lowest order QCD calculations.
The final state K + K − π + π − has been studied in γγ interactions using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. Production of the vector meson pair K ∗0 (892) K ∗0 (892) is observed for the first time. The cross section for K + K − π + π − , K ∗0 K − π + +c.c. and K ∗0 K ∗0 are all found to be of the order of a few nb. In the W γγ range accessible, a mean upper limit of 0.5 nb at 95% CL is derived for φϱ 0 production.
Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring, we have observed the charmed baryons Σ c ++ and Σ c 0 , through their decays to Λ c + π ± . We have measured the mean Σ c −Λ c + mass difference as 167.6±0.3±1.6 MeV/ c 2 . The isospin mass splitting between the Σ c ++ and the Σ c 0 was found to be 1.2±0.7±0.3 MeV/ c 2 . The rate of Λ c + production from Σ c decays was found to be (36±12±11)% of the total rate of Λ c + production. The Σ c χ p spectrum was observed to be similar to that of the Λ c + , with a Peterson function parameter ϵ of 0.29±0.06.
The reaction γγ→K + K − π + π − π 0 has been observed for the first time, using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. The cross section shows an enhancement for W γγ close to 3 GeV/ c 2 . Searches for γγ→ωφ and for γγ→φφ leading to this final state, as well as for γγ→φφ→2K + 2K − , have been performed. The derived upper limits for ωφ and φφ production are compatible with q q q q model predictions.
The production cross sections for the Λ, Σ0, Ξ−, Σ0 (1385), Ξ0 (1530) and Ω− hyperons have been measured, both in the continuum and in direct ϒ decays. Baryon rates in direct ϒ decays are enhanced by a factor of 2.5 or more compared to the continuum. Such a large baryon enhancement cannot be explained by standard fragmentation models. The strangeness suppression for baryons and mesons turns out to be the same. A strong suppression of spin 3/2 states is observed.
Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring at DESY, we have observed a charmed meson of mass (2455±3±5) MeV/c2, decaying to D + π − . The natural width of this state is determined to be (15 +13+5 −10−10 ) MeV c 2 . The fragmentation function is hard, as expected for a leading charmed particle from nonresonant e + e − annihilation. Analysis of the decay angular distribution supports the hypothesis that the observed state is an L =1 excited charmed meson with spin-parity 2 + .