Measurement of the reaction gamma p --> K0 Sigma+ at photon energies up to 2.6 GeV

The reaction gamma p --> K0 Sigma+ was measured in the photon energy range from threshold up to 2.6 GeV with the SAPHIR detector at the electron stretcher facility, ELSA, in Bonn. Results are presented on the reaction cross section and the polarization of the Sigma+ as a function of the kaon production angle in the centre-of-mass system, cos(Theta_K^{c.m.}), and the photon energy. The cross section is lower and varies less with photon energy and kaon production angle than that of gamma p --> K+ Sigma0. The Sigma+ is polarized predominantly at cos(Theta_K^{c.m.}) \approx 0. The data presented here are more precise than previous ones obtained with SAPHIR and extend the photon energy range to higher values. They are compared to isobar model calculations.