Theta+ formation in inclusive gamma D -> pK- X

Abstract

We analyze the possibility to produce an intermediate Theta^+ via a KN->Θ+ formation process in gamma D-> pK^- X (X=nK^+,pK^0) reactions at some specific kinematical conditions, in which a pK^- pair is knocked out in the forward direction and its invariant mass is close to the mass of Lambda(1520). The Θ^+ signal may appear in the [γD,pK^-] missing mass distribution. The ratio of the signal (cross section at the Θ^+ peak position) to the smooth background processes varies from 0.7 to 2.5 depending on the spin and parity of Theta+, and it decreases correspondingly if the pK^- invariant mass is outside of the Lambda(1520)-resonance region. We analyze the recent CLAS search for the Theta+ in the gamma D ->pK^-nK^+ reaction and show that the conditions of this experiment greatly reduce the Theta+ formation process making it difficult to extract a Theta+ peak from the data.