Observation of the 'forbidden' double charge exchange reaction at

Data are presented which firmly establish the existence of the double charge exchange reaction p p → Σ − Σ − at 3.6 GeV/ c . The forward cross section was found to be (5.9 ± 1.1) μb and the ratio of the “forbidden” to “allowed” forward cross section is R = σ( Σ − Σ − σ( Σ + Σ + ) = 0.09 ± 0.02 .