Near threshold K+K- meson-pair production in proton-proton collisions

The near threshold total cross section and angular distributions of K+K- pa ir production via the reaction pp --> ppK(+)K(-) have been studied at an ex cess energy of Q = 17 MeV using the COSY-11 facility at the cooler synchrot ron COSY. The obtained cross section as well as an upper limit at an excess energy of Q = 3 MeV represent the first measurements on the K+K- productio n in the region of small excess energies where production via the channel p p --> pp Phi --> ppK(+)K(-) is energetically forbidden. The possible influe nce of a resonant production via intermediate scalar states f(0)(980) and a (0)(980) is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.