Search for the exotic $\Xi^{--}(1860)$ Resonance in 340GeV/c $\Sigma^-$-Nucleus Interactions

TL;DR

This study conducted a high-statistics search for the exotic $ ext{Xi}^{--}(1860)$ resonance in $ ext{Sigma}^-$-nucleus collisions at 340GeV/c but found no evidence, setting upper limits on its production cross section.

Contribution

The paper provides the first high-statistics search for the $ ext{Xi}^{--}(1860)$ resonance in $ ext{Sigma}^-$-nucleus interactions and establishes upper limits on its production.

Findings

No evidence for the $ ext{Xi}^{--}(1860)$ resonance was observed.

Set 3$\sigma$ upper limits on production cross sections for carbon and copper targets.

The upper limits are 3.1 and 3.5 $ ext{ extmu}$b per nucleon, respectively.

Abstract

We report on a high statistics search for the $\Xi^{--}(1860)$ resonance in $\Sigma^-$-nucleus collisions at 340GeV/c. No evidence for this resonance is found in our data sample which contains 676000 $\Xi^-$ candidates above background. For the decay channel $\Xi^{--}(1860) \to \Xi^-\pi^-$ and the kinematic range 0.15$<x_F<$0.9 we find a 3$\sigma$ upper limit for the production cross section of 3.1 and 3.5 $\mu$b per nucleon for reactions with carbon and copper, respectively.