Threshold Kn * Production a - Nd Current Algebra

Recent experiments by Bland 0) et al. have shown that the reaction K+p + K'N*++(1236) h as a rather large cross-section which rises rapidly from threshold. In this note we show that many of the threshold features of this experiment, i.e., the value of the cross-section, the slope with respect to energy, * the C.O.M. angular distribution and the N decay angular distribution can be reasonably well accounted fcr by the same current algebra and meson mass extrapolation arguments which have given good agreement for the S-wave pion nucleon scattering lengths. (2) (3) Although extrapolating in the K-meson mass is a priori a more questionable procedure than the equivalent extrapolation in pion mass we may test the K-meson extrapolation procedure by comparing the experimental S-wave K'p scattering length with current algebra prediction. The experimental value of a (Exp)C4) =-0.65 + 0.05.