Scalar and vector meson production in (K-,K+) reactions on nuclei

An analysis of the observed double-strangeness-exchange (K-,K+) inclusive cross sections at 1.65 GeV/c on nuclear targets is presented. The K+ momentum spectrum displays a low momentum peak centered around 600 MeV/c, which we interpret as due to the first order K-p, a0, and f0 processes, followed by , a0, f0 K+K- decays. This hypothesis is shown to be approximately consistent with the shape of the K+ spectrum, its integrated cross section, and the A dependence observed for the (K-,K+) cross section on targets of mass number A. We predict a rapid energy dependence for the nuclear (K-,K+) process in the momentum region 1.4 1.8 GeV/c near the two-body thresholds for producing scalar (a0,f0) and vector () mesons in K-p collisions.