The importance of piN → K Lambda process for the pole structure of the P11 partial wave T-matrix in the coupled channel pion-nucleon partial wave analysis

The pole structure of the P11 pion-nucleon partial wave is examined with the emphasis on the 1700 MeV energy domain. The mechanism of eliminating continuum ambiguities in pion-nucleon partial wave analyses by using the coupled channel formalism, presented elsewhere for the piN -> etaN channel, is applied for the piN -> K Lambda channel, with the aim to clarify the issue whether physical reality requires none (VPI/GWU), one (KH80, CMB, Kent, Pittsburgh/ANL, Giessen), or possibly two (Zagreb) poles of the partial wave T-matrix in the 1700 MeV range. The role of second inelastic channel for resolving the dilemma is demonstrated. It is pointed out that the experiments for the piN -> K Lambda and piN -> K Sigma channel, extremely important for the 1700 MeV range, are old and inconclusive so an urgent need for remeasuring that channel is stressed.