K - multi-nucleon absorption cross sections and branching ratios in Λ p and Σ p final states

Abstract

The determination of low-energy cross sections and branching ratios of the K - multi-nucleon absorption processes in Λ p and Σ p final states performed by the AMADEUS collaboration is presented. Low momentum K - (pK≃127MeV/c) produced at the DA Φ NE collider are impinged on a Carbon target within the KLOE detector and the two and three nucleon absorption processes are disentangled by comparing the experimental data to phenomenological calculations. The Λ p spectra are interpreted in terms of K - multi-nucleon absorption processes; the possible contribution of a K - pp bound state is demonstrated to overlap with the two nucleon capture process, its absolute yield thus resulting indistinguishable.