THE IMPORTANCE OF POLARIZATION IN KAON PHOTOPRODUCTION AND RADIATIVE-CAPTURE

Using a relativistic baryon resonance model constrained by crossing and duality, we study the electromagnetic production of hyperons in kaon photoproduction, gamma + p --> K+ + Y, and radiative capture, K- + p --> lambda + Y, for Y = LAMBDA, SIGMA and LAMBDA (1405). Distinct signatures are predicted for the different hyperon polarizations which are direct consequences of SU(3) flavor symmetry and parity conservation. Other important results of our model are highlighted.