Low-Energy $Λ-\p$ Scattering Parameters from the $pp\to p{K}^{+}\hat{I}›$ Reaction

Abstract

Constraints on the spin-averaged $\hat{I}›p$ scattering length and effective range have been obtained from measurements of the $pp\to p{K}^{+}\hat{I}›$ reaction close to the production threshold by comparing model phase-space Dalitz plot occupations with experimental ones. The data fix well the position of the virtual bound state in the $\hat{I}›p$ system. Combining this with information from elastic $\hat{I}›p$ scattering measurements at slightly higher energies, together with the fact that the hyperdeuteron is not bound, leads to a new determination of the low energy $\hat{I}›p$ scattering parameters.

18 pages, 7 figures