Quasifree p(K-,K+)Xi(-) reaction in nuclear emulsion

A study of 1.66 GeV/c K- beam induced (K-,K+) reactions in the nuclear emul sion target is presented and 796 (K-, K+) reaction vertices (p(K+) greater than or equal to 1 GeV/c) containing 18 single hyperfragments are identifie d. There is no clear(spatially separated) double hyperfragment nor twin sin gle hyperfragment in the identified 796 (K-,K+) reactions. These events are classified and their characteristics are described in detail. In the regio n p(K+)greater than or equal to 1 GeV/c where the quasifree K-(p) --> K(+)X i(-) is the dominant process, the probability of Xi(-) emission from the re action vertex is determined to be 73.9(-4.6)(+4.5)%. From this value, the m ean free path of Xi(-) in a nucleus is estimated to be 4.7(-1.0)(+1.5) fm f or [p(Xi-)] similar to 0.6 GeV/c by assuming a simple model of uniform nucl ear matter. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.