Search for the Θ^{+} Pentaquark in the γd→ ΛnK^{+} Reaction Measured with the CLAS Spectrometer

For the first time, the reaction γd→ΛnK+ has been analyzed in order to search for the exotic pentaquark baryon Θ+(1540). The data were taken at Jefferson Laboratory, using the Hall-B tagged-photon beam of energy between 0.8 and 3.6 GeV and the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). No statistically significant structures were observed in the nK+ invariant-mass distribution. The upper limit on the γd→ΛΘ+ integrated cross section has been calculated and found to be between 5 and 25 nb, depending on the production model assumed. The upper limit on the differential cross section is also reported.