Near threshold Lambda and Sigma production in pp collisions

Abstract

A model calculation for the reactions $pp\to pΛK^+$ and $pp\to NΣK$ near their thresholds is presented. It is argued that the experimentally observed strong suppression of $Σ^0$ production compared to $Λ$ production at the same excess energy could be due to a destructive interference between the $π$ and $K$ exchange contributions in the reaction $pp\to pΣ^0 K^+$. Predictions for $pp\to pΣ^+ K^0$ and $pp\to nΣ^+ K^+$ are given.

3 pages, 1 figure, uses espcrc1.sty, contribution presented at the 16th International Conference on Few-Body Problems in Physics, Taipei, Taiwan, 6-10 March 2000