Reconstructing Sigma0 decays in the STAR detector

Typical comparisons of data from nuclear collisions
to particle production models require a caveat for
(Anti)Lambda yields from experimental inability
to separate the contributions of those yields from
Sigma state decays. Recent analysis in STAR is
leading toward resolving the contribution from
excited Sigma states [1], but the bulk contribution
comes from electromagnetic decays of the
(Anti)Sigma0.

In the STAR detector, photon conversions into e+e-
pairs in the detector material have been used to
identify photons from Pi0 decays [2]. A similar technique
has been used here to identify photons from (Anti)Sigma0
decays in conjunction with STAR's excellent PID capabilities
for finding the associated (Anti)Lambda daughters.
We report here on progress towards measuring the
(Anti)Sigma0 yields in various nuclear collisions at
RHIC.

[1] hep-ex/0403016
[2] nucl-ex/0401008