Differential cross sections for γ plus p → K++ Y for Λ and Σ0 hyperons -: art. no. 035202

High-statistics cross sections for the reactions gamma+p -> K++Lambda and gamma+p -> K++Sigma(0) have been measured using CLAS at Jefferson Lab for center-of-mass energies W between 1.6 and 2.53 GeV, and for -0.85 < cos theta(K)(+c.m.)<+0.95. In the K(+)Lambda channel we confirm a resonance-like structure near W=1.9 GeV at backward kaon angles. The position and width of this structure change with angle, indicating that more than one resonance is likely playing a role. The K(+)Lambda channel at forward angles and all energies is well described by a t-channel scaling characteristic of Regge exchange, whereas the same scaling applied to the K(+)Sigma(0) channel is less successful. Several existing theoretical models are compared to the data, but none provide a good representation of the results.