Extraction of $t$-slopes from experimental $\gamma p\rightarrow K^+\Lambda$ and $\gamma p\rightarrow K^+\Sigma_0$ cross section data

TL;DR

This paper analyzes recent experimental data on kaon photoproduction to extract $t$-slopes, assessing the applicability of single-Reggeon exchange models for different reaction channels within specific energy ranges.

Contribution

It introduces a quantitative scheme for selecting kinematic regions for $t$-slope extraction and evaluates the Reggeon exchange explanation for different channels.

Findings

$K^+\Lambda$ production is consistent with single Reggeon exchange in the studied energy range.

$K^+\Sigma_0$ production cannot be explained by single Reggeon exchange.

Fitting with interfering exponential amplitudes supports the conclusions.

Abstract

We analyze recent $K^+$ meson photoproduction data from the CLAS collaboration for the reactions $\gamma p\rightarrow K^+\Lambda$ and $\gamma p\rightarrow K^+\Sigma_0$, fitting measured forward-angle differential cross sections to the form $Ae^{Bt}$. We develop a quantitative scheme for determining the kinematic region where the fit is to be done, and, from the extracted $t$-slope $B$, determine whether single-Reggeon exchange can explain the production mechanism. We find that, in the region $5 < s < 8.1$ GeV$^2$, production of the $K^+\Lambda$ channel can be explained by single $K^+$ Reggeon exchange, but the $K^+\Sigma_0$ production channel cannot. We verify these conclusions by fitting the data to a differential cross section produced by the interfering sum of two exponential amplitudes.