Cross sections for inelastic K plus φ scattering

In the first Born approximation, we study the reactions K phi -> pi K, rho K, pi K* and rho K* with quark-antiquark annihilation and creation. Transition amplitudes are derived with the development in the spherical harmonics of the relative-motion wave functions of two initial mesons and two final mesons so that parity is conserved and the total angular momentum of the final mesons equals that of the initial mesons. Unpolarized cross sections are calculated from the transition amplitudes that also contain mesonic quark-antiquark relative-motion wave functions and transition potentials for quark-antiquark annihilation and creation. The notable temperature dependence of the cross sections is shown. The cross sections for K phi -> rho K, K phi -> pi K* and K phi -> rho K* and may be of the millibarn scale, whereas the cross section for K phi -> K pi is small.

Automated summary

This study investigates the reactions K phi -> pi K, rho K, pi K*, and rho K* using the Born approximation and considering quark-antiquark annihilation and creation. Transition amplitudes are obtained by expanding the relative-motion wave functions of initial and final mesons in spherical harmonics, ensuring the conservation of parity and total angular momentum. Unpolarized cross sections, which are calculated from the transition amplitudes, exhibit a significant temperature dependence. While the cross sections for K phi -> rho K, K phi -> pi K*, and K phi -> rho K* may reach the millibarn scale, the cross section for K phi -> K pi is small.