Production Mechanism of Some 6 GeV/c K−p Interactions

Various three-body final states produced in 6 GeV/c K−p interactions show peripheral features. These are examined in some detail, and it is found that a double peripheral mechanism is consistent with the data. For each reaction when interpreted in this way the most important double peripheral process is one in which the final state pion is produced at the central vertex. Two-dimensional transfer distributions are analysed; it is found that the strongest dependence on momentum transfer occurs when the relevant initial and final state particles are identical.