On the SigmaN cusp in the pp -> pK+Lambda reaction

Measurements of the $pp \to pK^+\Lambda$ reaction at $T_p$ = 2.28 GeV have been carried out at COSY-TOF. In addition to the $\Lambda p$ FSI and $N^*$ resonance excitation effects a pronounced narrow structure is observed in the Dalitz plot and in its projection on the $p\Lambda$-invariant mass. The structure appears at the $pp \to$N$K^+\Sigma$ threshold and is interpreted as $\Sigma$N cusp effect. The observed width of 20 MeV/$c^2$ is substantially broader than anticipated from previous inclusive measurements. Angular distributions of this cusp structure are shown to be dissimilar to those in the residual $pK^+\Lambda$ channel, but similar to those observed in the $pK^+\Sigma^0$ channel

Measurements of natural radioactivity in the salt cavern of the Polkowice-Sieroszowice copper mine

Due to their low radioactivity background, underground physics laboratories offer a unique possibility for investigating extremely rare phenomena like proton decay, dark matter signals or neutrino physics/astrophysics related issues. The knowledge of the natural radioactivity background is essential for the success of an underground physics experiment. The following measurements of the natural radioactivity background, in the foreseen location of an underground physics laboratory in the salt layer, in the Polkowice–Sieroszowice copper mine are presented: concentration of natural radio-isotopes from in situ obtained gamma-ray spectra and from alpha spectroscopy of rock samples, radon concentration in the air and the dose determination

Elastic scattering of 27.5 MeV alpha particles on 27^{27}Al, 28^{28}Si, 32^{32}S, Ti and 59^{59}Co nuclei and the r0r_{0} discrete ambiguity of the optical potential

Angular distributions for elastic scattering of alpha particles on $^{27}$Al, $^{28}$Si, $^{32}$S, Ti and $^{59}$Co nuclei have been measured in the angular range from about 20$^{\circ}$ to 179$^{\circ}$ (LAB). The experimental data were fitted with the optical model in full angular range. Many sets of four-parameter potentials, describing the elastic scattering, were found with the depths of the real part ranging from 40 to 450 MeV. A new discrete ambiguity in the optical model namely in $r_{0}$ was observed

Hadronic interaction of eta and eta-prime mesons with nucleons

Due to their short life-time, flavour-neutral mesons cannot be utilized as free secondary beams or targets, and therefore a study of their interaction with nucleons is not possible via direct scattering experiments. This interaction is, however, accessible via its influence on the energy dependence - and on the phase space distributions of the cross sections for reactions in which these mesons are produced. In case of the p p --> p p eta reaction the experimentally determined distributions of the differential cross sections close to the production threshold cannot be described by taking into account the S-wave proton-proton and proton-eta interaction only. Here we show that the angular distributions determined at the COSY-11 facility reveal some evidence for P-wave admixture in the proton-proton subsystem already at an excess energy as low as Q = 15.5 MeV. We also present that one can estimate the relative strength of the eta-nucleon and eta-prime-nucleon interactions by comparison of the eta and eta-prime production yield.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Talk given at 16th International Conference on Particles and Nuclei (PANIC 02), Osaka, Japan, 30 Sep - 4 Oct 200

Search for the 3He-eta bound state at COSY-11

We have measured excitation function for dp -> ppp_pi- reaction near the eta production threshold. We observe an enhancement of the counting rate above the threshold which can originate from the production of the eta meson in the reaction dp -> 3He eta and its subsequent absorption on neutron in the 3He nucleus leading to creation of the p_pi- pair.Comment: Presented at 10th International Workshop on Meson Production, Properties and Interaction (MESON 2008), Cracow, Poland, 6 - 10 June 2008, 4 pages, 4 figures,references adde

Analysing power A(y) in the reaction p(pol.)p --> pp eta near threshold

A first measurement of the analysing power in the reaction p(pol)p --> pp eta near the production threshold has been performed at the internal facility COSY-11 at the COoler SYnchrotron COSY.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Presented at Meson 2002: 7th International Workshop on Production, Properties and Interaction of Mesons, Cracow, Poland, 24-28 May 200

Cross section of the pp→K+Σ+npp\to K^+\Sigma^+n reaction close to threshold

We have measured inclusive data on $K^+$-meson production in $pp$ collisions at COSY J\"ulich close to the hyperon production threshold and determined the hyperon-nucleon invariant mass spectra. The spectra were decomposed into three parts: $\Lambda p$, $\Sigma^0p$ and $\Sigma^+n$. The cross section for the $\Sigma^+n$ channel was found to be much smaller than a previous measurement in that excess energy region. The data together with previous results at higher energies are compatible with a phase space dependence.Comment: accepted by Phys. lett. B some typos correcte

Experimental study of the eta-meson interaction with two-nucleons

By means of the COSY-11 detection system, using a stochastically cooled proton beam of the cooler synchrotron COSY and a hydrogen cluster target, we have performed a high statistics measurement of the pp --> pp eta reaction at an excess energy of Q = 15.5 MeV. The experiment was based on the four-momentum determination of both outgoing protons. This permits to identify pp --> pp eta events and to derive the complete kinematical information of the eta-p-p-system allowing for subsequent investigations of the eta-p interaction. The observed spectrum of the invariant mass of the proton-proton system deviates strongly from the phase-space distribution revealing the influence of the final-state-interaction among the outgoing particles or nontrivial features of the primary production mechanism.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Talk presented at Meson 2002, 7th International Workshop on Meson Production, Properties and Interaction, Cracow, Poland, 24-28 May 200