Ξ and Ξ production in central S (200 A GeV) on W collisions from RQMD

Ξ and Ξ production in central S (200 A GeV) on W collisions is studied in the framework of the transport approach RQMD. Color ropes, i.e. chromoelectric flux tubes created by large SU3 charges, provide the only relevant source of Ξ s. In contrast, the Ξ baryons get additional contributions from multiple baryon scattering which is reflected in different shapes of Ξ and Ξ rapidity distributions. The calculations compare well with experimental data of the WA85 Collaboration. An analysis of the RQMD results shows that the centrally produced Ξ and Ξ densities get near to local chemical equilibrium with their environment.