Photoproduction of the Sigma(1385) resonance at LEPS

The Sigma(1385) hyperon resonance has been measured using the LEPS detector at the SPring-8 facility in Japan. Linearly polarized photons in the range of 1.5-2.4 GeV were incident on a liquid deuterium target, producing a $K^+$ and a $\pi^-$ in the final state. The negative Sigma(1385) was isolated by its decay to ($\Lambda \pi^-$) using the missing mass technique. The same final state particles can also used to identify photoproduction of the $\Sigma^-$ ground state via its decay to ($n\pi^-$). Using simulations to correct for the detector acceptance, it will be possible to link the cross sections for the Sigma(1385) to the previously measured cross sections for photoproduction of $K^+\Sigma^-$. Theoretical calculations for photoproduction of $K^+\Sigma^{*-}$ from the neutron are in progress, and will be discussed along with the data analysis of this reaction.