A study of the centrally produced K*K* and phi omega systems in pp interactions at 450 GeV/c

Abstract

A study of the reactions pp -> pfps(K+K-pi+pi-) and pp -> pfps(K+K-pi+pi-pi0) shows evidence for the K*K* and phi omega channels respectively. The K*K* mass spectrum shows a broad distribution with a maximum near threshold and an angular analysis shows that it is compatible with having JP = 2+. The behaviour of the cross-section as a function of centre of mass energy, and the four momentum transfer dependence, are compatible with what would be expected if the K*K* system was produced via double Pomeron exchange. The dPT behaviour of the phi omega channel is similar to what has been observed for all the undisputed qqbar states. In contrast, the dPT behaviour of the K*K* final state is similar to what has been observed for the phi phi final state and for previously observed glueball candidates.