The reactions gamma p --> K+ Lambda and gamma p --> K+ Sigma0 were measured in the energy range from threshold up to a photon energy of 2.6 GeV. The data were taken with the SAPHIR detector at the electron stretcher facility, ELSA. Results on cross sections and hyperon polarizations are presented as a function of kaon production angle and photon energy. The total cross section for Lambda production rises steeply with energy close to threshold, whereas the Sigma0 cross section rises slowly to a maximum at about E_gamma = 1.45 GeV. Cross sections together with their angular decompositions into Legendre polynomials suggest contributions from resonance production for both reactions. In general, the induced polarization of Lambda has negative values in the kaon forward direction and positive values in the backward direction. The magnitude varies with energy. The polarization of Sigma0 follows a similar angular and energy dependence as that of Lambda, but with opposite sign.
Differential cross sections for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA in the energy region 0.9 to 1.0 GeV.
Differential cross sections for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA in the energy region 1.0 to 1.2 GeV.
Differential cross sections for the reaction GAMMA P --> K+ LAMBDA in the energy region 1.2 to 1.4 GeV.
For the reaction γ p → K + Λ 0 the differential cross section has been measured at t = −0.147 GeV 2 ( θ C.M. = 26.5 ± 3.5°) and photoenergies between 1.05 and 2.2 GeV and for the reaction γ p→K + Σ 0 at ≈−0.17 GeV 2 ( θ C.M. = 28±3.5°) and photoenergies between 1.3 and 2.2 GeV. For this four momentum transfer the differential cross section of K + Λ 0 photoproduction has a surprising steep increase above threshold and stays nearly constant up to 2.2 GeV. The K + Σ 0 cross section increases from 1.3 to 1.56 GeV and goes down gradually at higher energies.
AT CONSTANT MOMENTUM TRANSFER OF -T = 0.147 GEV**2.
AT APPROXIMATELY CONSTANT MOMENTUM TRANSFER OF -T = 0.17 GEV**2.
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