Study of strange particles at 6 GeV/c in π+N interactions

Final states containing a Λ or sigma0 and a K produced by 6 GeV/c π+n interactions are studied. The final states are (Λ/sigma0)K+, ΛKπ, (Λ/sigma0)Kππ, and ΛKπππ. The differential cross section and polarization of ΛK+ are compared with results in the charge symmetric and line reversed reactions. The results are found to be in disagreement with the results of simple Regge pole theory. A comparison of the sigma0K+ and ΛK+ polarization is in agreement with SU(3) predictions with currently accepted D/F ratios. The (Λ/sigma0)Kππ final states are examined for structure in the Q region (1.2 < M(Kππ) < 1.4 GeV/c2). Structure is found at 1.3 GeV/c2 associated with both Kπ and K rho decay modes. The ΛKπππ final state is examined for heavy strange particles in the Kπππ and Λπππ spectra. No structure is found