K-MESON PRODUCTION IN PBE INTERACTIONS AT T-P=2.9 GEV()

The production of K+ and pi(+) mesons and protons in pBe collisions at T-p = 2.9 GeV has been studied at the ITEP proton synchrotron. Ejecti les with a momentum of p = 545 MeV/c were observed under an emission a ngle theta = 17 degrees. The detectors which have been developed for t he identification of kaons out of a six orders of magnitude more inten se background of pions and protons are described. A cross-section rati o d(2) sigma(K+)/d Omega dp: d(2) sigma(pi+)/d Omega dp: d(2) sigma(p) /d Omega dp, of (1+/-0.34):(85+/-1):(31+/-1) has been measured. Normal ization with existing pion data yields an invariant differential cross section E . d(3) sigma(K+)/d(3)p = (3.1+/-1.2) mb GeV-2 c(3) sr(-1) a nd a total cross section of sigma(tot)(pBe) = (3.7+/-1.5) mb. These cr oss sections are compared with existing data and theoretical predictio ns. The A dependence of K+ production in the few-GeV range is analyzed .