Phi meson-baryon cross sections, estimated within a one-boson-exchange model, serve as input for a calculation of the collision rates in hot hadronic matter. We find that the width of the φ meson is modified through collisions with baryons by 1–10 MeV at 160 MeV temperature depending on the baryon fugacity. Thermalization of the φ in high energy heavy ion collisions is discussed.

• Received 9 October 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.57.1449