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. |
