Evidence for the tensor meson exchange in the kaon photoproduction

The contribution of the tensor meson $K_2^*(1430)$ exchange in the process $\gamma p\to K^+\Lambda(\Sigma^0)$ is investigated within the Regge framework. Inclusion of the $K_2^*$ exchange in the $K(494)+K^*(892)$ exchanges with the coupling constants chosen from the SU(3) symmetry leads to a better description of the production mechanism without referring to any fitting procedure. This shows the significance of the role of the tensor meson exchange to have the Regge theory basically free of parameters with the SU(3) symmetry a good approximation for the meson-baryon couplings.