K+-meson production in pBe interactions at T-p=2.9 GeV

The production of K+ and pi(+) mesons and protons in pBe collisions at T-p = 2.9 GeV has been studied at the ITEP proton synchrotron. Ejectiles with a momentum of p = 545 MeV/c were observed under an emission angle theta = 17 degrees. The detectors which have been developed for the identification of kaons out of a six orders of magnitude more intense background of pions and protons are described. A cross-section ratio d(2) sigma(K+)/d Omega dp: d(2) sigma(pi+)/d Omega dp: d(2) sigma(p)/d Omega dp, of (1+/-0.34):(85+/-1):(31+/-1) has been measured. Normalization with existing pion data yields an invariant differential cross section E . d(3) sigma(K+)/d(3)p = (3.1+/-1.2) mb GeV-2 c(3) sr(-1) and a total cross section of sigma(tot)(pBe) = (3.7+/-1.5) mb. These cross sections are compared with existing data and theoretical predictions. The A dependence of K+ production in the few-GeV range is analyzed.