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.

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.

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.

Using the ARGUS detector at DORIS, we observe the production of D ∗+ s mesons in e + e − annihilation through their subsequent decays to a D + s and a photon. Photons which convert in the beam pipe or drift chamber inner wall are used to obtain a high precision measurement of the D ∗+ s -D + s mass difference, while photons detected in the shower counters are used to determine the production cross section, and to provide an independent measurement of the D ∗+ s -D + s mass difference. The observed D ∗+ s - D + s mass difference is 142.5±0.8±1.5 MeV/ c 2 , and σ(e + e − →D ∗+ s X)·BR(D ∗+ s →D + s γ)(·BR(D + s →φπ + ) is 4.4±1.1±1.0 pb at 10.2 GeV. The width of the D ∗+ s is less than 4.5 MeV/ c 2 at 90% confidence level.

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 − 2 π 0 has been studied using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. Production of ω mesons is observed and, in particular, the reaction γγ → ωω is seen for the first time. The cross section for γγ → ωω has an enhancement at ∼ 1.9 GeV/ c 2 of about 10 nb. The cross sections for γγ → 2 π + 2 π − 2 π 0 and γγ → ωπ + π − π 0 are also given.

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.

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.

Results on hyperon production are reported for data accumulated at 10 GeV centre-of-mass energy with the ARGUS detector. Signals for both the octet states Λ, Σ 0 and Ξ − and the decuplet states Σ ± (1385), Ξ 0 (1530) and Ω − are observed 1 (references to a specific state are to be interpreted as also implying the charge conjugate state), some for the first time in e + e − annihilation. Baryon rates from γ dir (1S) decays are enhanced by a factor of about 3 over the continuum.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we have observed production of the charmed-strange baryon Ξ c + and its neutral isospin partner, the Ξ c 0 . The Ξ c + was reconstructed in the final state Ξ − π + π + , while the Ξ c 0 was seen in decay to Ξ − π + and Ξ − π + π + π − . The average Ξ c fragmentation spectrum has been determined, as well as the production cross section times branching ratio for each decay mode. The charged and neutral masses were measured to be 2465.1 ± 3.6 ± 1.9 MeV/ c 2 and 2472.1 ± 2.7 ± 1.6 MeV/ c 2 respectively, corresponding to a mass-splitting, M ( Ξ c + ) − M ( Ξ c 0 ), of −7.0±4.5±2.2 MeV/ c 2 .