Production properties of K*(892)± vector mesons and their spin alignment as measured in the NOMAD experiment

Abstract

First measurements of K⋆(892)± mesons production properties and their spin alignment in νμ charged current (CC) and neutral current (NC) interactions are presented. The analysis of the full data sample of the NOMAD experiment is performed in different kinematic regions. For K⋆+ and K⋆− mesons produced in νμ CC interactions and decaying into K0π± we have found the following yields per event: (2.6±0.2(stat.)±0.2(syst.))% and (1.6±0.1(stat.)±0.1(syst.))% respectively, while for the K⋆+ and K⋆− mesons produced in νNC interactions the corresponding yields per event are: (2.5±0.3(stat.)±0.3(syst.))% and (1.0±0.3(stat.)±0.2(syst.))%. The results obtained for the ρ00 parameter, 0.40±0.06(stat.)±0.03(syst.) and 0.28±0.07(stat.)±0.03(syst.) for K⋆(892)+ and K⋆(892)− produced in νμ CC interactions, are compared to theoretical predictions tuned on LEP measurements in e+e− annihilation at the Z0 pole. For K⋆(892)+ mesons produced in νNC interactions the measured ρ00 parameter is 0.66±0.10(stat.)±0.05(syst.).