COMPARING THE (P)OVER-BAR-P-]K-K-BAR-P-]PI(-)PI(+) REACTIONS( AND (P)OVER)

A partial wave amplitude analysis of LEAR data on differential cross s ections and analyzing powers of <(p)over bar p> --> K- K+ has been per formed in the range p(lab) = 360 - 1000 MeV/c, and compared to the res ults from the same observables for <(p)over bar p> --> pi(-) pi(+). Co ntrary to other analyses we see no compelling evidence of resonance be havior in our amplitudes. However, as we discuss, the resulting amplit udes are not unique since a third observable remains to be measured fo r both reactions. Another remarkable result is that for pp --> K- K+ a ll our solutions in the momentum interval below 900 MeV/c, only partia l wave amplitudes including J(max) = 2 are necessary. This upper limit on the angular momentum is smaller than J(max) = 3 which is required for the data of the reaction <(p)over bar p> --> pi(-) pi(+) in the sa me momentum interval. This finding is consistent with a model analysis for data above 1 GeV/c. Annihilation models with short range baryon e xchange give too small J greater than or equal to 2 amplitudes and fin al state pi pi and <(K)over bar K> interactions are presumably very im portant.