Search for a pentaquark decaying to p K_S^0

TL;DR

This study searches for a pentaquark decaying into pK_S^0 in photon-nucleon collisions up to 25 GeV, but finds no evidence, setting upper limits on its production relative to known resonances.

Contribution

The paper provides the first search for a pentaquark decaying to pK_S^0 in photon-induced reactions and establishes upper limits on its production cross section.

Findings

No evidence for the pentaquark in the specified mass range.

Set upper limits on the production cross section and yield.

Compared limits to known resonances like $ ext{Σ}^*(1385)^ ext{±}$ and $K^*(892)^+$.

Abstract

We present a search for a pentaquark decaying strongly to $pK_S^0$ in $\gamma N$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy up to 25 GeV/$c^2$. Finding no evidence for such a state in the mass range of 1470 MeV/$c^2$ to 2200 MeV/$c^2$, we set limits on the yield and on the cross section times branching ratio relative to $\Sigma^*(1385)^\pm$ and $K^*(892)^+$.