Study of the Λp\Lambda p Interaction Close to the Σ+n\Sigma^+n and Σ0p\Sigma^0p Thresholds

The $\Lambda p$ interaction close to the $\Sigma N$ threshold is considered. Specifically, the pronounced structure seen in production reactions like $K^-d \to \pi^- \Lambda p$ and $pp\to K^+ \Lambda p$ around the $\Sigma N$ threshold is analyzed. Modern interaction models of the coupled $\Lambda N - \Sigma N$ systems generate such a structure either due to the presence of a (deuteron-like) unstable bound state or of an inelastic virtual state. % A determination of the position of the prominent peak as observed in various experiments for the two aforementioned reactions leads to values that agree quite well with each other. Furthermore, the deduced mean value of $2128.7\pm 0.3$ MeV for the peak position coincides practically with the threshold energy of the $\Sigma^+ n$ channel. This supports the interpretation of the structure as a genuine cusp, signaling an inelastic virtual state in the $^3S_1-^3D_1$ partial wave of the $\Sigma N$ isospin 1/2 channel. % There is also evidence for a second peak (or shoulder) in the data sets considered which appears at roughly 10-15 MeV above the $\Sigma N$ threshold. However, its concrete position varies significantly from data set to data set and, thus, a theoretical interpretation is difficult.Comment: accepted for publication Nucl. Phys.

Event Reconstruction for a DIRC

Monte Carlo simulations were made for a possible DIRC at the WASA detector at COSY. A statistical method for pattern recognition is presented and the possible angle resolution and velocity precision achieved are discussed.Comment: Minor changes in text. Figures updated. accepted by JINS

Polarization phenomena in the reaction NN to NNpi near threshold

First calculations for spin-dependent observables of the reactions $pp \to pp\pi^0$, $pp \to pn\pi^+$ and $pp \to d\pi^+$ near threshold are presented, employing the J\"ulich model for pion production. The influence of resonant (via the excitation of the $\Delta (1232)$) and non-resonant p-wave pion production mechanisms on these observables is examined. For the reactions $pp \to pn\pi^+$ and $pp \to d\pi^+$ nice agreement of our predictions with the presently available data on spin correlation coefficents is observed whereas for $pp \to pp\pi^0$ the description of the data is less satisfying.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Isotopic Production Cross Sections in Proton-Nucleus Collisions at 200 MeV

Intermediate mass fragments (IMF) from the interaction of $^{27}$Al, $^{59}$Co and $^{197}$Au with 200 MeV protons were measured in an angular range from 20 degree to 120 degree in the laboratory system. The fragments, ranging from isotopes of helium up to isotopes of carbon, were isotopically resolved. Double differential cross sections, energy differential cross sections and total cross sections were extracted.Comment: accepted by Phys. Rev.

Fission studies with 140 MeV α\bm{\alpha}-Particles

Binary fission induced by 140 MeV $\alpha$-particles has been measured for $^{\rm nat}$Ag, $^{139}$La, $^{165}$Ho and $^{197}$Au targets. The measured quantities are the total kinetic energies, fragment masses, and fission cross sections. The results are compared with other data and systematics. A minimum of the fission probability in the vicinity $Z^2/A=24$ is observed.Comment: 4 figures, 2 table

Search for Low Mass Exotic mesonic structures. Part I: experimental results

Recently, several papers discussed on the existence of a low mass new structure at a mass close to M=214.3 MeV. It was suggested that the $\Sigma^{+}$ disintegration: $\Sigma^{+}\to$pP$^{0}$, P$^{0}\to\mu^{-}\mu^{+}$ proceeds through an intermediate particle P$^{0}$ having such mass. The present work intends to look at other new or available data, in order to observe the eventual existence of small narrow peaks or shoulders in very low mesonic masses. Indeed narrow structures were already extracted from various data in dibaryons, baryons and mesons (at larger masses that those studied here).Comment: 7 pages 11 figure

Study of the pd→3HeK+K−pd\to ^3\textrm{He} K^+K^- and pd→3Heϕpd\to ^3\textrm{He} \phi reactions close to threshold

Two--kaon production in proton--deuteron collisions has been studied at three energies close to threshold using a calibrated magnetic spectrograph to measure the final $^3$He and a vertex detector to measure the $K^+K^-$ pair. Differential and total cross sections are presented for the production of $\phi$--mesons, decaying through $\phi\to K^+K^-$, as well as for prompt $K^+K^-$ production. The prompt production seems to follow phase space in both its differential distributions and in its energy dependence. The amplitude for the $pd\to ^3${He}$\phi$ reaction varies little for excess energies below 22 MeV and the value is consistent with that obtained from a threshold measurement. The angular distribution of the $K^+K^-$ decay pair shows that near threshold the $\phi$--mesons are dominantly produced with polarization $m=0$ along the initial proton direction. No conclusive evidence for $f_0(980)$ production is found in the data.Comment: 13 figure

Upper limits for a narrow resonance in the reaction p + p -> K^+ + (Lambda p)

The reaction pp -> K^+ + (Lambda p) has been measured at T_p = 1.953 GeV and \Theta = 0 deg with a high missing mass resolution in order to study the Lambda p final state interaction. Narrow S = -1 resonances predicted by bag model calculations are not visible in the missing mass spectrum. Small structures observed in a previous experiment are not confirmed. Upper limits for the production cross section of a narrow resonance are deduced for missing masses between 2058 and 2105 MeV/c^2.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure