Q-meson production is studied in the hypercharge exchange reaction π-p → (Kππ)Λ at 3.95 GeV/c by selecting events witht(π- →Kππ)>1.2GeV2. An enhancement with a mass of 1294±10 MeV and a width of 66±15 MeV is observed in the (Kππ) mass distribution. A spin-parity analysis of the (Kππ) decay Dalitz plot shows the enhancement to be in theJP=1+S(Kϱ) wave and is therefore attributed toQ1-meson production. No evidence is found for the decayQ1→K0ω but limited statistics allow only placing an upper limit of 30% for the decay ratioKω/Kϱ0. TheQ1 production cross section fort(π- →Kππ)>1.2GeV2 is 8±1.3 μb. No evidence is found for the process π-p→Q2Λ withQ2→K*π for which the partial wave analysis gives an upper cross section limit of 2.5 μb at the 95% confidence level.
PRODUCTION OF Q1 OF MASS 1294 +- 10 MEV, WIDTH 66 +- 15 MEV. IN BACKWARD HEMISPHERE, CROSS SECTION IS <0.5 MUB (CL = 95 PCT).
UPPER LIMIT FOR PRODUCTION OF Q2 OF MASS AROUND 1400 MEV.