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, $D_q^h{(x,Q}^2),$ 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, $\alpha {(x,Q}^2),$ $\beta {(x,Q}^2),$ and $\gamma {(x,Q}^2).\mathrm{}$ 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 $Z^0$ exchange are obtained.