On the ΣN cusp in the pp → pK+Λ reaction

Measurements of the pp → pK + Λ reaction at T p = 2.28 GeV have been carried out at COSY-TOF. In addition to the Λp FSI and N * resonance excitation effects a pronounced narrow structure is observed in the Dalitz plot and in its projection on the pΛ invariant mass. The strongly asymmetric structure appears at the pp → NK + Σ threshold and is interpreted as the ΣN cusp effect. The observed width of about 20 MeV/c 2 is substantially broader than anticipated from previous measurements as well as theoretical predictions. Angular distributions of this cusp structure are shown to be dissimilar to those in the residual pK + Λ channel, but similar to those observed in the pK + Σ 0 channel.