Strangeness-transfer distributions in proton-proton collisions at 12 and 24 GeV/c

Au+Au reactions at the AGS: Experiments E866 and E917

“…The right panel of Figure 6 shows the ratio of total yields K − to K + . This ratio is strikingly constant over the measured range of centrality and below the estimated K − /K + ratio from initial N-N collisions [8,9]. The K − yield increases non-linearly with N pp in a manner very similar to the K + yield.…”

“…This is emphasized in the middle panel of Figure 6, where the K + yield per participant is plotted. The yield of kaons per participant in central reactions is 3.5 times the yield from isospinaveraged N-N collisions at the same beam energy [8,9]. This suggests that the majority of kaons in central reactions are produced by secondary collisions.…”

“…K + /π + ratio by the K + /π + ratio from p+p reactions [7][8][9] (Figure 4). This double ratio is greater than one, demonstrating that K/π is enhanced in Au+Au reactions relative to p+p collisions.…”

“…The errors are statistical only. The lower panel is for p+p reactions at 12 GeV/c and is adapted from Fesefeldt et al [8].…”

Excitation function of K+ and π+ production in Au+Au reactions at 2–10 AGeV

“…Data for inclusive K + yields in p+p reactions in the same energy range as the Au data in this Letter (3 to 12 GeV/c) are available [19][20][21][22]. A suitable parameterization of these yields was suggested in reference [23]…”