MEASUREMENT OF GAMMA-P-]K(+)LAMBDA AND GAMMA-P-]K(+)SIGMA(0) AT PHOTON ENERGIES UP TO 1.47 GEV

The reactions gammap --> K+ LAMBDA and gammap --> K+ SIGMA0 have been measured with the multiparticle detector system SAPHIR at ELSA in Bonn. Besides the differential cross sections the LAMBDA polarization and, for the first time, the SIGMA0 polarization have been determined in a photon induced reaction. All data are presented as functions of the photon energy (from threshold up to 1.47 GeV) and of the kaon production angle (0-degrees-180-degrees). The polarization of both LAMBDA and SIGMA0 is substantial at all energies and varies strongly with the production angle.