The results of a study of strange particle production in charged current $\bar{\nu}_{\mu} N$ interactions in the Fermilab 15 ft bubble chamber filled with a heavy $Ne-H_2$ mixture are presented. Production rates and average multiplicities of $K^0$'s and Λ's as functions of W 2 and Q 2 are given. The experimental data agree well with the quark-parton model predictions if a yield of 0.06 ± 0.02 of $K^0$'s and Λ's from charm production is included. Upper limits for D-meson production are given and the shape of the charmed quark fragmentation function is discussed. Inclusive production of the K ∗ (890) and Σ(1385) resonances is measured and it is shown that only about 5% of the K 0 mesons and Λ hyperons results from resonance decays. Relative production rates of neutral strange particles on proton and neutron targets are studied.
Results on $\phi$ meson production in inelastic p+p collisions at CERN SPS energies are presented. They are derived from data collected by the NA61/SHINE fixed target experiment, by means of invariant mass spectra fits in the $\phi \to K^+K^-$ decay channel. They include the first ever measured double differential spectra of $\phi$ mesons as a function of rapidity $y$ and transverse momentum $p_T$ for proton beam momenta of 80 GeV/c and 158 GeV/c, as well as single differential spectra of $y$ or $p_T$ for beam momentum of 40 GeV/c. The corresponding total $\phi$ yields per inelastic p+p event are obtained. These results are compared with existing data on $\phi$ meson production in p+p collisions. The comparison shows consistency but superior accuracy of the present measurements. The emission of $\phi$ mesons in p+p reactions is confronted with that occurring in Pb+Pb collisions, and the experimental results are compared with model predictions. It appears that none of the considered models can properly describe all the experimental observables.