Multi-Strangeness Production in Hadron Induced Reactions

Abstract

We discuss in detail the formation and propagation of multi-strangeness particles in reactions induced by hadron beams relevant for the forthcoming experiments at FAIR. We focus the discussion on the production of the decuplet-particle $\Omega$ and study for the first time the production and propagation mechanism of this heavy hyperon inside hadronic environments. The transport calculations show the possibility of $\Omega$-production in the forthcoming \panda-experiment, which can be achieved with measurable probabilities using high-energy secondary $\Xi$-beams. We predict cross sections for $\Omega$-production. The theoretical results are important in understanding the hyperon-nucleon and, in particular, the hyperon-hyperon interactions also in the high-strangeness sector. We emphasize the importance of our studies for the research plans at FAIR.

Comments: 18 pages, 7 figures. Revised version (updated literature list, more text added, typos corrected) accepted for publication in Nuclear Physics A