The reaction gamma + p -> K+ + Sigma + pi was used to determine the invariant mass distributions or "line shapes" of the Sigma+ pi-, Sigma- pi+ and Sigma0 pi0 final states, from threshold at 1328 MeV/c^2 through the mass range of the Lambda(1405) and the Lambda(1520). The measurements were made with the CLAS system at Jefferson Lab using tagged real photons, for center-of-mass energies 1.95 < W < 2.85 GeV. The three mass distributions differ strongly in the vicinity of the I=0 \Lambda(1405), indicating the presence of substantial I=1 strength in the reaction. Background contributions to the data from the Sigma0(1385) and from K^* Sigma production were studied and shown to have negligible influence. To separate the isospin amplitudes, Breit-Wigner model fits were made that included channel-coupling distortions due to the NKbar threshold. A best fit to all the data was obtained after including a phenomenological I=1, J^P = 1/2^- amplitude with a centroid at 1394\pm20 MeV/c^2 and a second I=1 amplitude at 1413\pm10 MeV/c^2. The centroid of the I=0 Lambda(1405) strength was found at the Sigma pi threshold, with the observed shape determined largely by channel-coupling, leading to an apparent overall peak near 1405 MeV/c^2.
Invariant mass distributions of the three SIGMA-PI combinations for centre-of-mass energies, W, from 1.95 to 2.05 GeV corresponding to incident photon energies from 1.56 to 1.77 GeV.
Invariant mass distributions of the three SIGMA-PI combinations for centre-of-mass energies, W, from 2.05 to 2.15 GeV corresponding to incident photon energies from 1.77 to 1.99 GeV.
Invariant mass distributions of the three SIGMA-PI combinations for centre-of-mass energies, W, from 2.15 to 2.25 GeV corresponding to incident photon energies from 1.99 to 2.23 GeV.
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