Final-State Interactions in the Process pp -> pKLambda

Abstract

The possibility to determine the pLambda scattering length from the final-state interaction in the reaction pp->pKLambda is investigated experimentally. From a transversely polarized measurement, the K analyzing power (A_N) which, in principle, allows one to extract the spin triplet scattering length is studied. An unexpected energy dependence of the forward/backward symmetric part of A_N is found. The influence of N*-resonances on the pLambda invariant mass spectrum is investigated by exploiting the large acceptance for the process pp->pKLambda->pKppi and is found to be the main source of uncertainty for determining the pLambda scattering length.