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 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 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 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 − .
We report the first observation of an orbitally excited baryon, the Λ(1520), in quark and gluon fragmentation. The production rate is found to be (1.15±0.21±0.16)×10 −2 and (0.80±0.17 −0.13 +0.10 )×10 −2 Λ (1520) hyperons per event in direct ϒ decays and in the continuum, respectively. In contrast to the observed situation for ground state baryons, the production of the Λ(1520) in direct ϒ decays shows little or no enhancement with respect to continuum 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 final states K S 0 K S 0 π + π − and K S 0 K ∓ π 0 π ± , produced in two-photon reactions, have been studied using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. The reaction γγ→ K ∗+ K ∗− has been observed for the first time. Its cross section is about eight times larger than that for γγ→ K ∗0 K ∗0 , but it has a similar W γγ dependence.
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 + .
The reaction γγ → ϱ + ϱ − → π + π − π 0 π 0 has been studied with the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. Near threshold, the cross section for this reaction is about four times smaller than for the reaction γγ → ϱ 0 ϱ 0 .