Study of the $K^+K^-$ final state interaction in proton-proton and electron-positron collisions

Abstract

The strength of the kaon--antikaon interaction is a crucial quantity for many physics topics. It is for example, an important parameter in the discussion on the nature of the scalar resonances $a_{0}(980)$ and $f_{0}(980)$, in particular for their interpretation as $K\bar{K}$ molecules. So far, one of the few possibilities to study this interaction is the kaon pair production in multi particle exit channels like $pp \to ppK^+K^-$. In this article we present the latest results of the $K^+K^-$ interaction preformed based on near threshold data gathered at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY. We discuss also shortly perspectives for a new measurement of the kaon--antikaon scattering length in the $e^+e^-$ collisions.