The production of $\phi$ mesons in the reaction $e~{+}p \rightarrow e~{+} \phi p$ ($\phi \rightarrow K~{+}K~{-}$) at a median $Q~{2}$ of $10~{-4} \ \rm{GeV~2}$ has been studied with the ZEUS detector at HERA. The differential $\phi$ photoproduction cross section $d\sigma/dt$ has an exponential shape and has been determined in the kinematic range $0.1<|t|<0.5 \ \rm{GeV~2}$ and $60 < W < 80 \ \rm{GeV}$. An integrated cross section of $\sigma_{\gamma p \rightarrow \phi p} = 0.96 \pm 0.19~{+0.21}_{-0.18}$ $\rm{\mu b}$ has been obtained by extrapolating to {\it t} = 0. When compared to lower energy data, the results show a weak energy dependence of both $\sigma_{\gamma p \rightarrow \phi p}$ and the slope of the $t$ distribution. The $\phi$ decay angular distributions are consistent with $s$-channel helicity conservation. From lower energies to HERA energies, the features of $\phi$ photoproduction are compatible with those of a soft diffractive process.
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Numerical values of dsig/dt distribution requested from authors.
Numerical values of dsig/dt distribution read from plot.
The results of an experiment to study elasticK+K− photoproduction are presented. Differential cross sections and spin density matrix elements for ϕ(1.019) production are stddied as a function of incident photon energy and over a wide range of momentum transfer,t (tmin>t>−1.5(GeV/c)2). Helicity conserving amplitudes are observed to dominate ϕ production throughout this range and the differential cross sections exhibit a forward diffractive peak which cannot be understood in terms of a simple exponential dependence. A new value of the photon ϕ coupling constant is determined and shown to be consistent withe+e− annihilation measurements. A detailed study of the energy dependence of the differential cross sections is made, including other experimental data, and the extracted effective Regge trajectory compared with other diffractive processes. A study of the dependence of theK+K− decay angular distribution on invariant mass reveals evidence for ans wave contribution interfering with thep wave ϕ which may be attributable to theS* meson.
LOWER LIMIT OF ABS(T) IN TABLE IS TMIN.
No description provided.
LOW T VARIATION WITH ELAB. LOWER LIMIT OF ABS(T) IN TABLE IS TMIN.