Cascade production in the reactions γp→K+K+(X) and γp→K+K+π−(X)

Photoproduction of the cascade resonances has been investigated in the reactions γp→K+K+(X) and γp→K+K+π−(X). The mass splitting of the ground state (Ξ−,Ξ0) doublet is measured to be 5.4±1.8 MeV/c2, consistent with existing measurements. The differential (total) cross sections for the Ξ− have been determined for photon beam energies from 2.75 to 3.85 (4.75) GeV and are consistent with a production mechanism of Y+→K+Ξ− through a t-channel process. The reaction γp→K+K+π−[Ξ0] has also been investigated to search of excited cascade resonances. No significant signal of excited cascade states other than the Ξ−(1530) is observed. The cross-section results of the Ξ−(1530) have also been obtained for photon beam energies from 3.35 to 4.75 GeV.