Spin transfer from circularly polarized real photons to recoiling hyperons has been measured for the reactions $\vec\gamma + p \to K^+ + \vec\Lambda$ and $\vec\gamma + p \to K^+ + \vec\Sigma^0$. The data were obtained using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies $W$ between 1.6 and 2.53 GeV, and for $-0.85<\cos\theta_{K^+}^{c.m.}< +0.95$. For the $\Lambda$, the polarization transfer coefficient along the photon momentum axis, $C_z$, was found to be near unity for a wide range of energy and kaon production angles. The associated transverse polarization coefficient, $C_x$, is smaller than $C_z$ by a roughly constant difference of unity. Most significantly, the {\it total} $\Lambda$ polarization vector, including the induced polarization $P$, has magnitude consistent with unity at all measured energies and production angles when the beam is fully polarized. For the $\Sigma^0$ this simple phenomenology does not hold. All existing hadrodynamic models are in poor agreement with these results.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.032 GeV and W = 1.679 GeV.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.132 GeV and W = 1.734 GeV.
Coefficients Cx and Cz for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA for incident energy = 1.232 GeV and W = 1.787 GeV.
We report a new measurement of the differential cross section for π−p→π0n from pπ=649 to 752 MeV/c, which is around the opening of the η channel (685 MeV/c). Our data support the main features of the π−p charge-exchange differential cross sections generated by the SAID πN partial-wave analysis. The opening of the η channel has a clear effect on the shape of the excitation function for dσ(π−p→π0n), which is most noticeable in the backward direction.
Differential cross section for incident pion momentum 649, 654 and 657 MeV.
Differential cross section for incident pion momentum 661, 666 and 669 MeV.
Differential cross section for incident pion momentum 673, 678 and 681 MeV.
Reaction K−p→π0π0Σ0 was measured with the Crystal Ball multiphoton spectrometer at eight K− momenta from 514 to 750MeV∕c. Dynamics and the energy dependence of the reaction are shown by Dalitz plots, invariant mass spectra, production angular distributions, and total cross sections. The dipion invariant-mass spectra for K−p→π0π0Σ0 show an enhancement in the low mass region; the opposite is the case for the K−p→π0π0Λ and π−p→π0π0n reactions. There is no direct evidence for a f0(600)-meson contribution to π0π0 production. Everywhere σt(K−p→π0π0Σ0)⪡σt(K−p→π0π0Λ).
Total cross section measurement. Statistical errors only.
We report on the first measurement of exclusive Xi-(1321) hyperon photoproduction in gamma p --> K+ K+ Xi- for 3.2 < E(gamma) < 3.9 GeV. The final state is identified by the missing mass in p(gamma,K+ K+)X measured with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Laboratory. We have detected a significant number of the ground-state Xi-(1321)1/2+, and have estimated the total cross section for its production. We have also observed the first excited state Xi-(1530)3/2+. Photoproduction provides a copious source of Xi's. We discuss the possibilities of a search for the recently proposed Xi5-- and Xi5+ pentaquarks.
Cross section averaged over the energy range 3.2 to 3.9 GeV.
The differential cross section for η production in reaction π−p→ηn has been measured over the full angular range at seven incident π− beam momenta from threshold to pπ−=747 MeV/c using the Crystal Ball multiphoton spectrometer. The angular distributions are S wave dominated. At 10 MeV/c above threshold, a small D-wave contribution appears that interferes with the main S wave. The total η production cross section σtot is obtained by integration of dσ/dΩ. Starting at threshold, σtot rises rapidly, as expected for S-wave-dominated production. The features of the π−p→ηn cross section are strikingly similar to those of the SU(3) flavor-related process K−p→ηΛ. Comparison of the π−p→ηn reaction is made with η photoproduction.
Total cross sections.
Differential cross section for the 4 lowest beam momenta.
Differential cross section for the 3 highest beam momenta.
We present measurements of the differential and total cross sections and the Λ polarization for the reaction K−p→ηΛ from threshold to pK−=770MeV/c, with much better precision than previous measurements. Our cross-section data show a remarkable similarity to the SU(3) flavor-related π−p→ηn cross-section results. The reaction K−p→ηΛ at threshold is dominated by formation of the intermediate Λ(1670)12− state.
Total cross section measurement for K- P --> ETA LAMBDA. Errors shown are statistical only.
Differential cross sections DSIG/DOMEGA for K- P --> ETA LAMBDA. Errors shown are statistical only.
Differential cross sections DSIG/DOMEGA for K- P --> ETA LAMBDA. Errors shown are statistical only.
Reaction K−p→π0π0Λ was measured at eight incident K− momenta between 514 and 750MeV∕c using the Crystal Ball multiphoton spectrometer. The reaction dynamics are displayed in total cross sections, Dalitz plots, invariant-mass spectra, production angular distributions, and the Λ polarization. The π0π0Λ production is dominated by the π0Σ0(1385) intermediate state; no trace of other light Σ∗ states is observed, and the role of the f0(600) meson appears to be insignificant. A striking similarity is seen between K−p→π0π0Λ and π−p→π0π0n; this can be understood as a consequence of dynamical flavor symmetry.
Measured cross section. Statistical errors only.
Differential cross section for the di-pion system in the c.m. system for incident momenta 514 to 629 MeV.
Differential cross section for the di-pion system in the c.m. system for incident momenta 659 to 750 MeV.
We report a new measurement of the π−p→3π0n total cross section from threshold to pπ=0.75GeV/c. The cross section near the N(1535)12− resonance is only a few μb after subtracting the large η→3π0 background associated with π−p→ηn. A simple analysis of our data results in the estimated branching fraction B[S11→πN(1440)12+]=(8±2)%. This is the first such estimate obtained with a three-pion production reaction.
Total cross section from threshold to 750 MeV. Only statistical errors are given in the table.
Reaction π−p→π0π0n has been measured with high statistics in the beam momentum range 270–750MeV∕c. The data were obtained using the Crystal Ball multiphoton spectrometer, which has 93% of 4π solid angle coverage. The dynamics of the π−p→π0π0n reaction and the dependence on the beam energy are displayed in total cross sections, Dalitz plots, invariant-mass spectra, and production angular distributions. Special attention is paid to the evaluation of the acceptance that is needed for the precision determination of the total cross section σt(π−p→π0π0n). The energy dependence of σt(π−p→π0π0n) shows a shoulder at the Roper resonance [i.e., the N(1440)12+], and there is also a maximum near the N(1520)32−. It illustrates the importance of these two resonances to the π0π0 production process. The Dalitz plots are highly nonuniform; they indicate that the π0π0n final state is dominantly produced via the π0Δ0(1232) intermediate state. The invariant-mass spectra differ much from the phase-space distributions. The production angular distributions are also different from the isotropic distribution, and their structure depends on the beam energy. For beam momenta above 550MeV∕c, the density distribution in the Dalitz plots strongly depends on the angle of the outgoing dipion system (or equivalently on the neutron angle). The role of the f0(600) meson (also known as the σ) in π0π0n production remains controversial.
Measured total cross section. Statistical errors only.
Differential angular distributions of the 2PI0 system for the LH2 data at beam momenta 355 to 472 MeV/c. Statistical errors only.
Differential angular distributions of the 2PI0 system for the LH2 data at beam momenta 550 to 678 MeV/c. Statistical errors only.
Differential cross sections for γp→ηp have been measured with tagged real photons for incident photon energies from 0.75 to 1.95 GeV. Mesons were identified by missing mass reconstruction using kinematical information for protons scattered in the production process. The data provide the first extensive angular distribution measurements for the process above W=1.75 GeV. Comparison with preliminary results from a constituent quark model support the suggestion that a third S11 resonance with mass ∼1.8 GeV couples to the ηN channel.
Cross sections for photon energies 0.775 to 0.925 GeV.
Cross sections for photon energies 0.975 to 1.125 GeV.
Cross sections for photon energies 1.175 to 1.325 GeV.