Cross sections for the $\gamma p \to K^{*+} \Lambda$ and $\gamma p \to K^{*+} \Sigma^{0}$ reactions measured at CLAS

TL;DR

This paper reports the first high-statistics measurements of cross sections for gamma p to K*+ Lambda and Sigma0 reactions at energies up to 3.9 GeV, providing new data to test theoretical models in hadronic physics.

Contribution

It presents the first high-statistics differential cross sections for these reactions, enabling detailed comparison with theoretical models and revealing discrepancies at certain energies.

Findings

The measured cross sections are higher than theoretical predictions between 2.1 and 2.6 GeV.

Results show better agreement with models at higher photon energies.

Data covers the full angular range and is fitted with Legendre polynomials.

Abstract

The first high-statistics cross sections for the reactions $\gamma p \to K^{*+} \Lambda$ and $\gamma p \to K^{*+} \Sigma^0$ were measured using the CLAS detector at photon energies between threshold and 3.9 GeV at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Differential cross sections are presented over the full range of the center-of-mass angles, $\theta^{CM}_{K^{*+}}$, and then fitted to Legendre polynomials to extract the total cross section. Results for the $K^{*+}\Lambda$ final state are compared with two different calculations in an isobar and a Regge model, respectively. Theoretical calculations significantly underestimate the $K^{*+} \Lambda$ total cross sections between 2.1 and 2.6 GeV, but are in better agreement with present data at higher photon energies.