Partial-wave analysis of the $K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{K}^{-}$ system seen in the reaction ${\pi }^{+}p\to K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{K}^{-}p$ at 11.46 GeV/c

We present results of a hybrid-bubble-chamber experiment examining the reaction ${\pi }^{+}p\to {\pi }^{+}p{K}^{+}{K}^{-}$ at an incident momentum of 11.46 GeV/c. The total cross section for this channel is determined to be 87.2±6.4 μb. A partial-wave analysis of the $K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{K}^{-}$ system reveals no unambiguous evidence of resonant activity, although mass enhancements are noted in the $J^P=0^{-}$ $\overline{\kappa }{K}^{+}$ ($S$ wave), $J^P=2^{-}$ $f\pi$ ($S$ wave), and $J^P=2^{-}$, ${\overline{K}}^{*0\mathrm{}}\mathrm{}\left(892\right)\mathrm{}{K}^{+}$ ($P$ wave). This is the first published report of the relative phases of the waves seen in this reaction. We comment on the influence this channel may have on $A_1$ and $A_3$ production.