A study of Lambda-Nucleon scattering using the CLAS detector*

Current data for the elastic scattering of Lambda hyperons from the nucleon
comes from bubble chambers as far back as 1959. ΛN data is very limited
compared to other elastic scattering processes, such as N N , KN and πN . There
have been no measurements in modern accelerator and so the richness of Λ
production was never realized. Data was mined from existing experiments from
the g12 run of the CLAS detector in Hall B of Jefferson Lab. A high luminosity
photon beam incident on a 40 cm liquid hydrogen target allows for a Λ beam
to be created inside the target. We look at the reaction γp → K + Λ to generate
the Λ. The created Λ then proceeded to scatter elastically with a second proton
in the same target. The K + Λ cross section is well known, which allows us to
determine the flux of the beam. From this, measurements of the Λp elastic
scattering cross section will be presented and discussed along with the helicity
dependence.