Backward production of the B meson in K - p interactions at 4.2 GeV/c

Abstract The backward production of the B(1235) meson is studied in the reaction K − p → Σ − π + ω . This reaction is observed in the final state Σ − π + π + π − π 0 . A π + ω mass enhancement is visible in the region of the B meson for events with small | u |K − → Σ − ) squared four-momentum transfer. The properties of the enhancement agree with those of the B meson. The cross section for K − p → Σ − B + at 4.15 GeV c incident K − momentum is (3.2 ± 0.5) μb . The backward production of the B meson is compared with similar baryon exchange productions of the A 1 and C(Q 1 ) axial vector mesons observed in the same experiment.