Scalar kappa meson in K* photoproduction

Abstract

We propose that the scalar $\kappa(800)$ meson may play an important role in $K^*$ photoproduction. In the reactions of $\gamma p \to K^{*+} \Lambda$ and $\gamma p \to K^{*0} \Sigma^+$, we consider the production mechanisms including $t$-channel $K^*$, $K$, $\kappa$ exchanges, s-channel $N$, $\Delta$ diagrams, and $u$-channel $\Lambda$, $\Sigma$, $\Sigma^*$ diagrams within the tree level approximation, and find that the $\kappa$-meson exchange may contribute significantly to $K^*\Sigma$ photoproduction, while it is rather supplementary in $K^*\Lambda$ photoproduction. We demonstrate how the observables of $K^*$ photoproduction can be used to constrain the $\kappa$ meson properties. In particular, the parity asymmetry can separate the $\kappa$ meson contribution in $K^*$ photoproduction.