SU(3) model for octet baryon and meson fragmentation

The production of the octet of baryons and mesons in e+e- collisions is analyzed, based on considerations of SU(3) symmetry and a simple model for SU(3) symmetry breaking in fragmentation functions. All fragmentation functions, Dqh(x,Q2), describing the fragmentation of quarks into a member of the baryon octet (and similarly for fragmentation into members of the meson octet) are expressed in terms of three SU(3) symmetric functions, α(x,Q2), β(x,Q2), and γ(x,Q2). With the introduction of an SU(3) breaking parameter, λ, the model is successful in describing hadroproduction data at the Z pole. The fragmentation functions are then evolved using leading order evolution equations and good fits to currently available data at various energies involving both photon and Z0 exchange are obtained