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.
A mass-dependent asymmetry was observed in the decay angular distribution of a photoproduced K + K − system near the K + K − threshold. The corresponding moments 〈 Y 1 0 〉 have been evaluated. Interpreting the asymmetry as an S-P wave interface due to the states S 993 ∗ (0 + ) and ø 1019 (1 − ) one can compute the moments 〈 Y 1 0 〉 through an amplitude analysis. The theoretical calculation reproduces the experimental results well, if one assumes a real S-wave amplitude for the S 993 ∗ . The data cannot be explained by a non-resonant real S-wave. Other possibilities have been discussed. An estimate of the photoproduction cross section of the S ∗ → K + K − can be given on the basis of the above hypothesis.
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