Hyperon-nucleon interactions in the $p p \to K^+ Λp$ reaction

Abstract

We present calculations of the invariant mass spectra of the $Λ$p system for the exclusive $p p \to K^+ Λp$ reaction with the aim of studying the final state interaction between the $Λ$-hyperon and the proton. The reaction is described within a meson exchange framework and the final state $Λp$ interaction is incorporated through an off-shell t-matrix for the $Λp \to Λp$ scattering, constructed using the available hyperon-nucleon (YN) potentials. The cross sections are found to be sensitive to the type of YN potential used especially at the $Λ$ and $Σ$ production thresholds. Hence, data on this exclusive reaction, which can be used to constrain the YN potentials are desirable.