The reaction pi+ p --> K+ Sigma+ in a unitary coupled-channels model

Abstract

Elastic pi N scattering and the reaction pi+ p --> K+ Sigma+ are described simultaneously in a unitary coupled-channels approach which respects analyticity. SU(3) flavor symmetry is used to relate the t- and u-channel exchanges that drive the meson-baryon interaction in the different channels. Angular distributions, polarizations, and spin-rotation parameters are compared with available experimental data. The pole structure of the amplitudes is extracted from the analytic continuation.