Kaon electromagnetic production and hypernuclear excitation

Kaon (K+ meson) photo and electroproduction of Λ hypernuclei is theoretically investigated. Impulse approximation calculations using elementary amplitudes describing the γ+p→K++Λ process are performed for d, 4He, 12C, and 208Pb targets at lab energies between threshold and several GeV. Predicted cross sections yield reasonable count rates for meaningful measurements using continuous, intense electron beams. First generation experiments should provide new and improved information concerning: 1) the Λ nucleon and nucleus interaction; 2) the longitudinal hypernuclear form factor; 3) unnatural parity high spin states. Calculations are also reported for the deuteron electrodisintegration process d(e,e′K+)Λn. Study of this reaction will permit an accurate extraction of the isospin zero KN scattering amplitude and needed information about the kaon form factor.