A quark model of antilambda-lambda production in p̄p interactions

Abstract A quark model which includes both scalar and vector contributions to the reaction mechanism is used in a DWBA calculation of total and differential cross sections, polarizations, and spin-correlation coefficients for the reaction p p → Λ Λ at laboratory momenta from threshold to 1.92 GeV/ c . The free parameters of the calculation include the scalar and vector strengths, a quark-cluster size parameter, and six parameters in the unknown Λ Λ interaction. Excellent agreement with experiment is found for a constructive interference of scalar and vector terms, and for a Λ Λ potential which differs from that suggested by several authors on the basis of SU(3) arguments. The fit to the data is better than that obtained by other quark models, which use only scalar or vector annihilation terms. The agreement with experiment is as good as that found in meson-exchange models, which use more parameters than the present calculation.