Lambda production is studied in K − p interactions at 32 GeV/ c . The total Λ cross section is 2.31±0.03 mb . Using the measured Λγ combinations we find that (31±4)% of all Λ's are produced via the Σ 0 → Λγ decay. About 60% of the Λ's are associated with either a N N or K K pair; about 40% of the Λ's are produced through the hypercharge annihiltion reaction K − p→ Λ + π 'a. The two-peak structure of the invariant x distribution can be related to fragmentation processes. The Λ is found to be unpolarized in the target fragmentation region, whereas a transverse polarization is observed for forward produced Λ's. As a function of p ⊥, a polarization effect is measured at medium p ⊥.
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