Hadronic production of Λ from 600 GeV/c π−, Σ− and p beams

We present data from Fermilab experiment E781 (SELEX) on the hadroproduction asymmetry for Λ̄c− compared to Λc+ as a function of xF, and on pt2 distributions for Λc+. These data were measured in the same apparatus using incident π−, Σ− beams at 600 GeV/c and proton beam at 540 GeV/c. The asymmetry is studied as a function of xF. In the forward hemisphere with xF⩾0.2 both baryon beams exhibit very strong preference for producing charm baryons rather than charm antibaryons, while the pion beam asymmetry is much smaller. In this energy regime the results show that beam fragments play a major role in the kinematics of Λc formation, as suggested by the leading quark picture.