First measurement of subthreshold Σ(1385) production is presented. Experimental data are presented for Al+Al reactions at $1.9A$ GeV measured with the FOPI detector at SIS/GSI. The $\Sigma (1385)/\Lambda$ ratio is found to be in good agreement with the transport and statistical model predictions. The results allow for a better understanding of subthreshold strangeness production and strangeness exchange reaction which is the dominant process for $K^{-}$ production below and close-to threshold.

• Received 15 March 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.76.052203