Cross sections for the γp→K*0Σ+ reaction at Eγ=1.7-3.0 GeV

Differential cross sections for the reaction $$\gamma p \to K^{*0} \Sigma^+$$ are presented at nine bins in photon energy in the range from 1.7 to 3.0 GeV. The \kstar was detected by its decay products, $$K^+\pi^-$$, in the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. These data are the first \kstar photoproduction cross sections ever published over a broad range of angles. Comparison with a theoretical model based on the vector and tensor $K^*$-quark couplings shows good agreement with the data in general, after adjusting the model's two parameters in a fit to our data. Disagreement between the data at forward angles and the global angle-energy fit to the model suggests that the role of scalar $$\kappa$$ meson exchange in $t$-channel diagrams should be investigated.