Λ and Σ0 pair production in two-photon collisions at LEP

Abstract Strange baryon pair production in two-photon collisions is studied with the L3 detector at LEP. The analysis is based on data collected at e + e − centre-of-mass energies from 91 GeV to 208 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 844 pb −1 . The processes γγ→Λ Λ and γγ→Σ 0 Σ 0 are identified. Their cross sections as a function of the γγ centre-of-mass energy are measured and results are compared to predictions of the quark–diquark model.