Kaon photoproduction on the deuteron at Sendai

Abstract

The photoproduction of K0 and Λ on the deuteron was measured in order to investigate the γn → K0Λ reaction process near the threshold (Eγ = 0.8-1.1 GeV). K0 and Λ events were clearly seen in the π+π− and the pπ− invariant mass spectra, respectively. The momentum spectra of the γd → K0X and the γd → ΛX reactions were derived. Additionally, the energy dependence of the integral cross section for the Λ production was also obtained. The K0 momentum spectra were in agreement with the previous results within statistical errors. The angular distribution of the γn → K0Λ reaction in the center of mass system was extracted and it had the backward distribution. The total cross section of the γn → K0Λ reaction, which was estimated by subtracting the contribution of K+Λ process from the Λ production on the deuteron, was almost the same as that of the γp → K+Λ.