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

Cross section ratio and angular distributions of the reaction p + d -> 3He + eta at 48.8 MeV and 59.8 MeV excess energy

We present new data for angular distributions and on the cross section ratio of the p + d -> 3He + eta reaction at excess energies of Q = 48.8 MeV and Q = 59.8 MeV. The data have been obtained at the WASA-at-COSY experiment (Forschungszentrum J\"ulich) using a proton beam and a deuterium pellet target. While the shape of obtained angular distributions show only a slow variation with the energy, the new results indicate a distinct and unexpected total cross section fluctuation between Q = 20 MeV and Q = 60 MeV, which might indicate the variation of the production mechanism within this energy interval.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Measurement of the pn→ppπ0π−pn \to pp\pi^0\pi^- Reaction in Search for the Recently Observed Resonance Structure in dπ0π0d\pi^0\pi^0 and dπ+π−d\pi^+\pi^- systems

Exclusive measurements of the quasi-free $pn \to pp\pi^0\pi^-$ reaction have been performed by means of $pd$ collisions at $T_p$ = 1.2 GeV using the WASA detector setup at COSY. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained covering the energy region $\sqrt s$ = (2.35 - 2.46) GeV, which includes the region of the ABC effect and its associated resonance structure. No ABC effect, {\it i.e.} low-mass enhancement is found in the $\pi^0\pi^-$-invariant mass spectrum -- in agreement with the constraint from Bose statistics that the isovector pion pair can not be in relative s-wave. At the upper end of the covered energy region $t$-channel processes for Roper, $\Delta(1600)$ and $\Delta\Delta$ excitations provide a reasonable description of the data, but at low energies the measured cross sections are much larger than predicted by such processes. Adding a resonance amplitude for the resonance at $m$=~2.37 GeV with $\Gamma$ =~70 MeV and $I(J^P)=~0(3^+)$ observed recently in $pn \to d\pi^0\pi^0$ and $pn \to d\pi^+\pi^-$ reactions leads to an agreement with the data also at low energies

Search for a dark photon in the π0→e+e−γ\pi^0 \to e^+e^-\gamma decay

The presently world largest data sample of pi0 --> gamma e+e- decays containing nearly 5E5 events was collected using the WASA detector at COSY. A search for a dark photon U produced in the pi0 --> gamma U --> gamma e+e- decay from the pp-->pp\pi^0 reaction was carried out. An upper limit on the square of the U-gamma mixing strength parameter epsilon^2 of 5e-6 at 90% CL was obtained for the mass range 20 MeV <M_U< 100 MeV. This result together with other recent experimental limits significantly reduces the M_U vs. \epsilon^2 parameter space preferred by the measured value of the muon anomalous magnetic moment.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures; improved analysis extending the exclusion region to 20 MeV<M_U< 100 MeV; implemented changes requested by referee

Neutron-Proton Scattering in the Context of the d∗d^*(2380) Resonance

New data on quasifree polarized neutron-proton scattering, in the region of the recently observed $d^*$ resonance structure, have been obtained by exclusive and kinematically complete high-statistics measurements with WASA at COSY. This paper details the determination of the beam polarization, checks of the quasifree character of the scattering process, on all obtained $A_y$ angular distributions and on the new partial-wave analysis, which includes the new data producing a resonance pole in the $^3D_3$-$^3G_3$ coupled partial waves at ($2380\pm10 - i40\pm5$) MeV -- in accordance with the $d^*$ dibaryon resonance hypothesis. The effect of the new partial-wave solution on the description of total and differential cross section data as well as specific combinations of spin-correlation and spin-transfer observables available from COSY-ANKE measurements at $T_d$ = 2.27 GeV is discussed

Evidence for a New Resonance from Polarized Neutron-Proton Scattering

Exclusive and kinematically complete high-statistics measurements of quasifree polarized $\vec{n}p$ scattering have been performed in the energy region of the narrow resonance structure $d^*$ with $I(J^P) = 0(3^+)$, $M \approx$ 2380 MeV/$c^2$ and $\Gamma \approx$ 70 MeV observed recently in the double-pionic fusion channels $pn \to d\pi^0\pi^0$ and $pn \to d\pi^+\pi^-$. The experiment was carried out with the WASA detector setup at COSY having a polarized deuteron beam impinged on the hydrogen pellet target and utilizing the quasifree process $\vec{d}p \to np + p_{spectator}$. That way the $np$ analyzing power $A_y$ was measured over a large angular range. The obtained $A_y$ angular distributions deviate systematically from the current SAID SP07 NN partial-wave solution. Incorporating the new $A_y$ data into the SAID analysis produces a pole in the $^3D_3 - ^3G_3$ waves as expected from the $d^*$ resonance hypothesis

Production of Lambda and Sigma^0 hyperons in proton-proton collisions

This paper reports results on simultaneous measurements of the reaction channels pp -> pK+\Lambda and pp -> pK+\Sigma^0 at excess energies of 204, 239, and 284 MeV (\Lambda) and 127, 162, and 207 MeV (\Sigma^0). Total and differential cross sections are given for both reactions. It is concluded from the measured total cross sections that the high energy limit of the cross section ratio is almost reached at an excess energy of only about 200 MeV. From the differential distributions observed in the overall CMS as well as in the Jackson and helicity frames, a significant contribution of interfering nucleon resonances to the \Lambda production mechanism is concluded while resonant \Sigma^0-production seems to be of lesser importance and takes place only through specific partial waves of the entrance channel. The data also indicate that kaon exchange plays a minor role in the case of \Lambda- but an important role for \Sigma^0-production. Thus the peculiar energy dependence of the \Lambda-to-\Sigma^0 cross section ratio appears in a new light as its explanation requires more than mere differences between the p\Lambda and the p\Sigma^0 final state interaction. The data provide a benchmark for theoretical models already available or yet to come.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures; accepted by The European Physical Journal A (EPJ A

Systematic study of the pp -> pp omega reaction

A systematic study of the production of omega-mesons in proton-proton-collisions was carried out in a kinematically complete experiment at three excess energies(epsilon= 92, 128, 173MeV). Both protons were detected using the large-acceptance COSY-TOF spectrometer at an external beam line at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY at Forschungszentrum J\"ulich. The total cross section, angular distributions of both omega-mesons and protons were measured and presented in various reference frames such as the overall CMS, helicity and Jackson frame. In addition, the orientation of the omega-spin and invariant mass spectra were determined. We observe omega-production to take place dominantly in Ss and Sp final states at epsilon = 92, 128 MeV and, additionally, in Sd at epsilon= 173 MeV. No obvious indication of resonant omega-production via N^*-resonances was found, as proton angular distributions are almost isotropic and invariant mass spectra are compatible with phase space distributions. A dominant role of ^3P_1 and ^1S_0 initial partial waves for omega-production was concluded from the orientation of the decay plane of the omega-meson. Although the Jackson angle distributions in the omega-p-Jackson frame are anisotropic we argue that this is not an indication of a resonance but rather a kinematical effect reflecting the anisotropy of the omega angular distribution. The helicity angle distribution in the omega-p-helicity frame shows an anisotropy which probably reflects effects of the omega angular momenta in the final state; this observable may be, in addition to the orientation of the omega decay plane, the most sensitive one to judge the validity of theoretical descriptions of the production process.Comment: 17 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in EPJ