Abstract: The total and differential cross sections for associated strangeness production in the pp -> pK(+) K(-)p and pp -> pK(+)pi(0)Sigma(0) reactions have been studied in a unified approach using an effective Lagrangian model. It is assumed that both the K(-)p and pi(0)Sigma(0) final states originate from the decay of the Lambda(1405) that was formed in the production chain pp -> p(N*(1535). K+ Lambda(1405)). The available experimental data are well reproduced, especially the ratio of the two total cross sections, which is much less sensitive to the particular model of the entrance channel. The significant coupling of the N*(1535) to Lambda(1405)K is further evidence for large ss components in the quark wave function of the N*(1535).

Abstract: From a Faddeev calculation for the pi-(Delta rho)(N5/2)-(1675) system we show the plausible existence of three dynamically generated I (J(P)) = 3/2(5/2(+)) baryon states below 2.3 GeV, whereas only two resonances, Delta(5/2)+ (1905)( ) and Delta(5/2)+(2000)(**), are cataloged in the Particle Data Book Review. Our results give theoretical support to data analyses extracting two distinctive resonances, Lambda(5/2)+(similar to 1740) and Lambda(5/2)+(similar to 2200), from which the mass of Delta(5/2)+ (2000) is estimated. We propose that these two resonances should be cataloged instead of Delta(5/2)+(2000). This proposal gets further support from the possible assignment of the other baryon states found in the approach in the I = 1/2, 3/2 with J(P) = 1/2(+), 3/2(+), 5/(2)+ sectors to known baryonic resonances. In particular, Delta(1/2)+(1750)(*) is naturally interpreted as a pi N-1/2-(1650) bound state.

Abstract: We report on a theoretical study of the pp -> p Lambda K(+) and pp -> p Sigma(0)K(+) reactions near threshold using a chiral dynamical approach. The production process is described by single-pion and single-kaon exchange. The final state interactions of nucleon-hyperon, K-hyperon, and K-nucleon systems are also taken into account. We show that our model leads to a fair description of the experimental data on the total cross section of the pp -> p Lambda K(+) and pp -> p Sigma(0)K(+) reactions. We find that the experimental observed strong suppression of Sigma(0) production compared to Lambda production at the same excess energy can be explained. However, ignorance of phases between some amplitudes does not allow one to properly account for the nucleon-hyperon final state interaction for the pp -> p Sigma(0)K(+) reaction. We also demonstrate that the invariant mass distribution and the Dalitz plot provide direct information about the Lambda and Sigma(0) production mechanisms and may be tested by experiments at COSY or HIRFL-CSR.

Abstract: We report on a theoretical study of the K- p -> eta Lambda reaction near threshold by using an effective Lagrangian approach. The role of s-channel Lambda(1670), t-channel K*, and u-channel proton pole diagrams are considered. We show that the total cross section data are well reproduced. However, only including the s-wave Lambda(1670) state and the background contribution from t and u channels is not enough to describe the bowl structures in the angular distribution of the K- p -> eta Lambda reaction, which indicates that there should be higher partial waves contributing to this reaction in some energy region. Indeed, if we considered the contributions from a D-03 resonance, we could describe the bowl structures; however, a rather small width (similar to 2 MeV) of this resonance would be needed.

Abstract: We review and extend the model derived in Garcia-Recio et al. [Phys. Rev. D 83, 016007 (2011)] to address the dynamics of the low-lying even-parity meson resonances. This model is based on a coupled-channels spin-flavor extension of the chiralWeinberg-Tomozawa Lagrangian. This interaction is then used to study the S-wave meson-meson scattering involving members not only of the pi octet, but also of the rho nonet. In this work, we study in detail the structure of the SU(6)-symmetry-breaking contact terms that respect (or softly break) chiral symmetry. We derive the most general local (without involving derivatives) terms consistent with the chiral-symmetry-breaking pattern of QCD. After introducing sensible simplifications to reduce the large number of possible operators, we carry out a phenomenological discussion of the effects of these terms. We show how the inclusion of these pieces leads to an improvement of the description of the J(P) = 2(+) sector, without spoiling the main features of the predictions obtained in the original model in the JP = 0(+) and J(P) = 1(+) sectors. In particular, we find a significantly better description of the I-G(J(PC)) =0(+)(2(++)), 1(-)(2(++)) and the I(JP)=1/2(2(+)) sectors, which correspond to the f(2)(1270), a(2)(1320), and K-2(*)(1430) quantum numbers, respectively.