First measurements of charge-independent correlations on angular difference variables $\eta_1 - \eta_2$ (pseudorapidity) and $\phi_1 - \phi_2$ (azimuth) are presented for primary charged hadrons with transverse momentum $0.15 \leq p_t \leq 2$ GeV/$c$ and $|\eta| \leq 1.3$ from Au-Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 130$ GeV. Strong charge-independent angular correlations are observed associated with jet-like structures and elliptic flow. The width of the jet-like peak on $\eta_1 - \eta_2$ increases by a factor 2.3 from peripheral to central collisions, suggesting strong coupling of semi-hard scattered partons to a longitudinally-expanding medium. New methods of jet analysis introduced here provide evidence for nonperturbative QCD medium effects in heavy ion collisions.

A measurement of the double-differential $\pi^{\pm}$ production cross-section in proton--carbon, proton--copper and proton--tin collisions in the range of pion momentum $100 \MeVc \leq p < 800 \MeVc$ and angle $0.35 \rad \le \theta <2.15 \rad$ is presented. The data were taken with the HARP detector in the T9 beam line of the CERN PS. The pions were produced by proton beams in a momentum range from 3 \GeVc to 12 \GeVc hitting a target with a thickness of 5% of a nuclear interaction length. The tracking and identification of the produced particles was done using a small-radius cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) placed in a solenoidal magnet. An elaborate system of detectors in the beam line ensured the identification of the incident particles. Results are shown for the double-differential cross-sections at four incident proton beam momenta (3 \GeVc, 5 \GeVc, 8 \GeVc and 12 \GeVc).

Measurements of the double-differential $\pi^{\pm}$ production cross-section in the range of momentum $100 \MeVc \leq p < 800 \MeVc$ and angle $0.35 \rad \leq \theta < 2.15 \rad$ in proton--beryllium, proton--aluminium and proton--lead collisions are presented. The data were taken with the HARP detector in the T9 beam line of the CERN PS. The pions were produced by proton beams in a momentum range from 3 \GeVc to 12.9 \GeVc hitting a target with a thickness of 5% of a nuclear interaction length. The tracking and identification of the produced particles was performed using a small-radius cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) placed inside a solenoidal magnet. Incident particles were identified by an elaborate system of beam detectors. Results are obtained for the double-differential cross-sections at six incident proton beam momenta (3 \GeVc, 5 \GeVc, 8 \GeVc, 8.9 \GeVc (Be only), 12 \GeVc and 12.9 \GeVc (Al only)) and compared to previously available data.

Light ion collisions with carbon target at 4.2 GeV/c/N are studied. Pion multiplicity distributions, momentum and angular spectra are analysed. These data are described in terms of models assuming independent interactions of nucleons from the projectile nucleus with the target.

The $f_1(1285)$ meson with mass $1281.0 \pm 0.8$ MeV/$c^2$ and width $18.4 \pm 1.4$ MeV (FWHM) was measured for the first time in photoproduction from a proton target using CLAS at Jefferson Lab. Differential cross sections were obtained via the $\eta\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$, $K^+\bar{K}^0\pi^-$, and $K^-K^0\pi^+$ decay channels from threshold up to a center-of-mass energy of 2.8 GeV. The mass, width, and an amplitude analysis of the $\eta\pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ final-state Dalitz distribution are consistent with the axial-vector $J^P=1^+$ $f_1(1285)$ identity, rather than the pseudoscalar $0^-$ $\eta(1295)$. The production mechanism is more consistent with $s$-channel decay of a high-mass $N^*$ state, and not with $t$-channel meson exchange. Decays to $\eta\pi\pi$ go dominantly via the intermediate $a_0^\pm(980)\pi^\mp$ states, with the branching ratio $\Gamma(a_0\pi \text{ (no} \bar{K} K\text{)}) / \Gamma(\eta\pi\pi \text{(all)}) = 0.74\pm0.09$. The branching ratios $\Gamma(K \bar{K} \pi)/\Gamma(\eta\pi\pi) = 0.216\pm0.033$ and $\Gamma(\gamma\rho^0)/\Gamma(\eta\pi\pi) = 0.047\pm0.018$ were also obtained. The first is in agreement with previous data for the $f_1(1285)$, while the latter is lower than the world average.

Differential cross sections of the reaction gamma d to K+ Sigma- (p) have been measured with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab using incident photons with energies between 1.1 and 3.6 GeV. This is the first complete set of strangeness photoproduction data on the neutron covering a broad angular range. At energies close to threshold and up to E_gamma ~ 1.8 GeV, the shape of the angular distribution is suggestive of the presence of s-channel production mechanisms. For E_gamma > 1.8 GeV, a clear forward peak appears and becomes more prominent as the photon energy increases, suggesting contributions from t-channel production mechanisms. These data can be used to constrain future analysis of this reaction.

Photoproduction of the cascade resonances has been investigated in the reactions $\gamma p \to K^+ K^+ (X)$ and $\gamma p \to K^+ K^+ \pi^- (X)$. The mass split of the $\Xi$ doublet is measured to be $5.4\pm 1.8$ MeV/c$^2$, consistent with existing measurements. The differential (total) cross sections for the $\Xi^{-}$ have been determined for photon beam energies from 2.75 to 3.85 (4.75) GeV, and are consistent with a possible production mechanism of $Y^*\to K^+\Xi^-$ through a $t$-channel process. The reaction $\gamma p \to K^+ K^+ \pi^-[\Xi^0]$ has also been investigated in search of excited cascade resonances. No significant signal of excited cascade states other than the $\Xi^-(1530)$ is observed. The cross section results of the $\Xi^-(1530)$ have also been obtained for photon beam energies from 3.35 to 4.75 GeV.

High-statistics measurements of differential cross sections and recoil polarizations for the reaction $\gamma p \rightarrow K^+ \Sigma^0$ have been obtained using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. We cover center-of-mass energies ($\sqrt{s}$) from 1.69 to 2.84 GeV, with an extensive coverage in the $K^+$ production angle. Independent measurements were made using the $K^{+}p\pi^{-}$($\gamma$) and $K^{+}p$($\pi^-, \gamma$) final-state topologies, and were found to exhibit good agreement. Our differential cross sections show good agreement with earlier CLAS, SAPHIR and LEPS results, while offering better statistical precision and a 300-MeV increase in $\sqrt{s}$ coverage. Above $\sqrt{s} \approx 2.5$ GeV, $t$- and $u$-channel Regge scaling behavior can be seen at forward- and backward-angles, respectively. Our recoil polarization ($P_\Sigma$) measurements represent a substantial increase in kinematic coverage and enhanced precision over previous world data. At forward angles we find that $P_\Sigma$ is of the same magnitude but opposite sign as $P_\Lambda$, in agreement with the static SU(6) quark model prediction of $P_\Sigma \approx -P_\Lambda$. This expectation is violated in some mid- and backward-angle kinematic regimes, where $P_\Sigma$ and $P_\Lambda$ are of similar magnitudes but also have the same signs. In conjunction with several other meson photoproduction results recently published by CLAS, the present data will help constrain the partial wave analyses being performed to search for missing baryon resonances.

We present measurements of the differential cross section and Lambda recoil polarization for the gamma p to K+ Lambda reaction made using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. These measurements cover the center-of-mass energy range from 1.62 to 2.84 GeV and a wide range of center-of-mass K+ production angles. Independent analyses were performed using the K+ p pi- and K+ p (missing pi -) final-state topologies/ results from these analyses were found to exhibit good agreement. These differential cross section measurements show excellent agreement with previous CLAS and LEPS results and offer increased precision and a 300 MeV increase in energy coverage. The recoil polarization data agree well with previous results and offer a large increase in precision and a 500 MeV extension in energy range. The increased center-of-mass energy range that these data represent will allow for independent study of non-resonant K+ Lambda photoproduction mechanisms at all production angles.

Exclusive measurements of the $pp \to pp\pi^0\pi^0$ reaction have been performed at CELSIUS/WASA at energies from threshold up to $T_p$ = 1.3 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained. Here we concentrate on energies $T_p \ge$ 1 GeV, where the $\Delta\Delta$ excitation becomes the leading process. No evidence is found for a significant ABC effect beyond that given by the conventional $t$-channel $\Delta\Delta$ excitation. This holds also for the double-pionic fusion to the quasibound $^2$He. The data are compared to model predictions, which are based on both pion and $\rho$ exchange. Total and differential cross sections are at variance with these predictions and call for a profound modification of the $\rho$-exchange. A phenomenological modification allowing only a small $\rho$ exchange contribution leads to a quantitative description of the data.

High-statistics differential cross sections and spin density matrix elements for the reaction $\gamma p \to p \omega$ have been measured using the CLAS at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass (CM) energies from threshold up to 2.84 GeV. Results are reported in 112 10-MeV wide CM energy bins, each subdivided into $\cos{\theta_{CM}^{\omega}}$ bins of width 0.1. These are the most precise and extensive $\omega$ photoproduction measurements to date. A number of prominent structures are clearly present in the data. Many of these have not previously been observed due to limited statistics in earlier measurements.

ω photoproduction off hydrogen and deuterium has been studied with the tagged photon beam of the ELSA accelerator in Bonn for photon energies up to 2.0 GeV. The ω meson has been identified via the ω → π$^{0}$ γ → γγγ decay mode, using the combined setup of the Crystal Barrel/TAPS detector systems. Both inclusive and exclusive analyses have been carried out. Differential and total cross-sections have been derived for ω mesons produced off free protons and off protons and neutrons bound in deuterium. The cross-section for the production off the bound neutron is found to be a factor of ≈ 1.3 larger than the one off the bound proton in the incident beam energy region 1.2 GeV < E$_{γ}$ < 1.6 GeV. For higher incident beam energies this factor goes down to ≈ 1.1 at 2.0 GeV. The cross-sections of this work have been used as normalization for transparency ratio measurements.