We report the first measurement of strange ($\Lambda$) and anti-strange ($\bar{\Lambda}$) baryon production from $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=130$ GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Rapidity density and transverse mass distributions at mid-rapidity are presented as a function of centrality. The yield of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons is found to be approximately proportional to the number of negative hadrons. The production of $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons relative to negative hadrons increases very rapidly with transverse momentum. The magnitude of the increase cannot be described by existing hadronic string fragmentation models.
Multi-strange baryon and anti-baryon production is expected to be a useful probe in the search for Quark-Gluon Plasma formation. We present the transverse mass distributions of negative particles, K o s, Λs, Λ s, and Ξ − s produced in sulphurtungsten interactions at 200 GeV/c per nucleon and give the corrected ratios Λ Λ, Ξ − Λ and Ξ − /Λ . We note that our ratio Ξ − / Λ appears large in comparison to that from p p interactions.
Strange baryon and in particular multi-strange baryon production is suggested to be a useful probe in the search for quark gluon plasma formation in heavy ion collisions. We have measured the (Ω − + Ω + ) (Ξ − + Ξ + ) production ratio to be 0.8±0.4 at central rapidity and ϱ T > 1.6 GeV/c.
Strange and multistrange baryon production is expected to be enhanced in heavy ion interactions if a phase transition from hadronic matter to a Quark-Gluon Plasma takes place. The production yields of Λ s, Λ s, Ξ − s, and Ξ + s relative to the production of negative particles are presented for sulphur-tungsten interactions at 200 GeV/ c per nucleon. These production yields are compared to those produced in proton-tungsten interactions and the enhancements of strange and multistrange baryons and antibaryons are presented.
The production of charmed particles by Sigma- of 340 Gev/c momentum was studied in the hyperon beam experiment WA89 at the CERN-SPS, using the Omega-spectrometer. In two data-taking periods in 1993 and 1994 an integrated luminosity of 1600 microb^-1 on copper and carbon targets was recorded. From the reconstruction of 930 +- 90 charm particle decays in 10 decay channels production cross sections for D, antiD, Ds and Lambdac were determined in the region xF>0. Assuming an A^1 dependence of the cross section on the nucleon number, we calculate a total ccbar production cross section of sigma(x_F > 0) = 5.3+- 0.4(stat)+-1.0(syst)+1.0(Xi_c) microb per nucleon. The last term is an upper limit on the unknown contribution from charmed-strange baryon production.
We find an increase in ∑ ± production between E cm = 4 and 7 GeV which is consistent with charmed baryon production models. A search for the decay ∧ c − → ∑ ± π ± π − yields no significant peaks.
The production of antineutrons and charged Σ's in e+e− annihilations has been measured at s=4 and 7 GeV and at the ψ(3.1) resonance. Two packages containing spark chambers, steel plates, and scintillation counters were added to each side of the Mark I detector at SPEAR. Antineutrons were identified by annihilations which produced large-angle charged prongs characteristic of a high-Q reaction. The resulting antineutron cross sections and momentum distributions are consistent with previous antiproton results. Charged Σ's were detected by forming mass combinations with the n's and charged tracks in the Mark I. A clear signal is seen in the 7-GeV and ψ data, with little or no signal at s=4 GeV. The increase in Σ± production between 4 and 7 GeV is consistent with simple expectations for charmed-baryon production. A search for the decays Λc−→Σ±π∓π− and Σc*Σc→Λc−π± yields no significant peaks. An upper limit, at the 90% confidence level, of σΛcB(Λc→Σ±π∓π−)<56 pb is set.
The inclusive production of antiprotons and Λ's in e+e− annihilation has been measured as a function of the c.m. energy in the range 3.7-7.6 GeV. We find that the baryon cross section has a behavior different from the total hadronic production. Our results show a rapid rise in the ratio σp¯σμμ between 4.4 and 5 GeV, consistent with what would be expected from charmed baryon production. Λ¯ production is 10-15% of p¯ production at all energies.