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Baryon -- anti-Baryon Photoproduction

Baryon - anti-baryon photoproduction off a proton target is being studied in detail at Jefferson Lab with the GlueX Experiment. We observe $p\bar{p}$ and, for the first time, $Λ\barΛ$ photoproduction (with $Λ\rightarrow π^- p$, $\barΛ \rightarrow π^+ \bar{p}$) from thresholds up to $E_γ = 11.4$ GeV. Preliminary spectra from data accumulated during the GlueX Phase-I period are shown. Angular distributions of the photoproduced hyperons indicate more than one production mechanism in the reaction channel $γp \rightarrow Λ\barΛp$. A Monte Carlo simulation with four mechanisms, tested through comparison between simulation and experimental data, is presented.