Measurements of the $pp to pK^+Lambda$ reaction at $T_p$ = 2.28 GeV have been carried out at COSY-TOF. In addition to the $Lambda p$ FSI and $N^*$ resonance excitation effects a pronounced narrow structure is observed in the Dalitz plot and in its projection on the $pLambda$-invariant mass. The structure appears at the $pp to $N$K^+Sigma$ threshold and is interpreted as $Sigma$N cusp effect. The observed width of 20 MeV/$c^2$ is substantially broader than anticipated from previous inclusive measurements. Angular distributions of this cusp structure are shown to be dissimilar to those in the residual $pK^+Lambda$ channel, but similar to those observed in the $pK^+Sigma^0$ channel.
The total cross sections of the pp -> pK+ Lambda reaction near threshold measured at the COSY(Juelich) synchrotron using the internal target facility COSY-11 are described in the frame of the model taking into account the one pion and one kaon exchange as well as the final state interaction mechanisms.
Exclusive measurements of the quasi-free $pp to pppi^+pi^-$ reaction have been performed by means of $pd$ collisions at $T_p$ = 1.2 GeV using the WASA detector setup at COSY. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained covering the energ
y region $T_p = 1.08 - 1.36$ GeV ($sqrt s$ = 2.35 - 2.46 GeV), which includes the regions of $N^*(1440)$ and $Delta(1232)Delta(1232)$ resonance excitations. Calculations describing these excitations by $t$-channel meson exchange are at variance with experimental differential cross sections and underpredict substantially the measured total cross section. An isotensor $Delta N$ dibaryon resonance with $I(J^P) = 2(1^+)$ produced associatedly with a pion is able to overcome these deficiencies. Such a dibaryon was predicted by Dyson and Xuong and more recently calculated by Gal and Garcilazo.
Exclusive measurements of the quasi-free $pp to pppi^+pi^-$ reaction have been carried out at WASA@COSY by means of $pd$ collisions at $T_p$ = 1.2 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been extracted covering the energy region $T_p = 1.08 - 1.36$ GeV, which is the region of $N^*(1440)$ and $Delta(1232)Delta(1232)$ resonance excitations. Calculations describing these excitations by $t$-channel meson exchange are at variance with the measured differential cross sections and underpredict substantially the experimental total cross section. An isotensor $Delta N$ dibaryon resonance with $I(J^P) = 2(1^+)$ produced associatedly with a pion is able to overcome these deficiencies.
The reaction pp->p K0 pi+ Lambda has been studied with the ANKE spectrometer at COSY-Juelich at a beam momentum of 3.65 GeV/c in order to search for a possible signal of the pentaquark Theta+(1540), decaying into the p K0 system. By detecting four charged particles in the final state, the K0 and the Lambda have been reconstructed to tag strangeness production. It has been found that the pi+ Lambda missing-mass spectrum displays no significant signal expected from the Theta+(1540) excitation. The total cross section for the reaction pp->p K0 pi+ Lambda has been deduced, as well as an upper limit for the Theta+ production cross section. The intermediate Delta++ K0 Lambda state is found to provide a significant contribution to the reaction.
We have analyzed data of the DISTO experiment on the exclusive pp -> p Lambda K+ reaction at 2.85 GeV to search for a strongly bound compact K-pp (= X) state to be formed in the pp -> K+ + X reaction. The observed spectra of the K+ missing-mass and the p Lambda invariant-mass with high transverse momenta of p and K+ revealed a broad distinct peak with a mass M_X = 2265 +- 2 (stat) +- 5 (syst) MeV/c2 and a width Gamma_X = 118 +- 8 (stat) +- 10 (syst) MeV.