PHOTOPRODUCTION OF KAONS

A new isobar model for photoproduction of K Lambda on the proton was constructed utilizing the data from CLAS, LEPS, and GRAAL collaborations. In the model, nucleon and hyperon resonances with spin 3/2 and 5/2 in the intermediate state are included using a consistent formalism in which only the physical degrees of freedom contribute to the invariant amplitude. These higher-spin resonances were shown to play an important role in data description. The model describes well the data in the third resonance region in full range of kwon angles. Results of the model are also compared with the hybrid Regge-plus-resonance model constructed recently. Predictions of the models in the very-forward-angle region, important for calculations of the hypernucleus cross sections, are also briefly discussed.