Baryon exchange model for pp annihilation into strange mesons

Antiproton-proton annihilation leading to K K, KzKq, and KHAKI is analyzed using a baryon exchange model with A and X exchange, employing simple eikonal damping in the initial and final states. The initial state interaction is constrained to fit the pp elastic scattering and polarization data, while the strength and range of the KK interaction are varied to fit the pp~K K+ differential cross section data. Although the magnitude can be obtained in such a model, the cross sections fall off monotonically with angle. The structures in o(8) data force incorporation of resonances like the g, excited p, and e. The K K+ data are analyzed using a simple Breit-Wigner parametrization of resonances in conjunction with the background. The KqKq and KqKL cross sections are then predicted. Complete measurements of cross sections and analyzing power for K K+, K~K~, KgKL, , ~ m+, and m m are needed to understand the role of the resonances in the MM system.