The reaction $\gamma p \TO K^+\Lambda(1520)$ was measured in the energy range from threshold to 2.65 GeV with the SAPHIR detector at the electron stretcher facility ELSA in Bonn. The $\Lambda(1520)$ production cross section was analyzed in the decay modes $pK^-$, $n \bar{K}^0$, $\Sigma^{\pm}\pi^{\mp}$, and $\Lambda\pi^+\pi^-$ as a function of the photon energy and the squared four-momentum transfer $t$. While the cross sections for the inclusive reactions rise steadily with energy, the cross section of the process $\gamma p \TO K^+\Lambda(1520)$ peaks at a photon energy of about 2.0 GeV, falls off exponentially with $t$, and shows a slope flattening with increasing photon energy. The angular distributions in the $t$-channel helicity system indicate neither a $K$ nor a $K^\star$ exchange dominance. The interpretation of the $\Lambda(1520)$ as a $\Sigma(1385)\pi$ molecule is not supported.
Total cross section averaged over the various LAMBDA(1510) decay modes. The errors are largely due to the systematic error in the background subtraction.
Total cross section determined for each of the separated decay modes of the LAMBDA(1510).
Differential cross sections for the photon energy range 1.69 TO 1.93 GeV. The errors are lapping due to the systematic error in the background subtraction.
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