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, D_q^h(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.