Multidimensional resonance analysis of Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-) pi(+)

We present the results of a five-dimensional resonant amplitude analysis of the Lambda(c)(+) --> pK(-)pi(+) system based on 946 +/- 38 reconstructed d ecays. These data were produced in 500 GeV/c pi(-)-N interactions by Fermil ab experiment E791. We report measurements of the amplitudes for Lambda(c)( +) decay into nonresonant pK(-)pi(+) and to p (K) over bar*(0)(890), Delta( ++)(1232)K-, and Lambda(1520)pi(+) and we comment on other possible resonan t enhancements. This is the first complete amplitude analysis of the Lambda (c)(+) --> pK(-)pi(+) system. We find that (54.8 +/- 5.5 +/- 3.5)% of the d ecays are nonresonant, (19.5 +/- 2.6 +/- 1.8)% of the decays are via the (K ) over bar*(0) resonance, (18.0 +/- 2.9 +/- 2.9)% of the decays are via the Delta(++) resonance, and (7.7 +/- 1.8 +/- 1.1)% of the decays are via the Lambda(1520) resonance. We find evidence for an increasingly negative polar ization of the Lambda(c)(+) baryons as a function of p(T)(2), in agreement with a recent model [W.G.D. Dharmaratna, G.R. Goldstein, Phys. Rev. D 53 (1 996) 1073; G.R. Goldstein, hep-ph/9907573] and with a related measurement [ M. Jezabek, K. Rybicki, R. Rylko, Phys. Lett. B 286 (1992) 175]. (C) 2000 P ublished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.