“K−pp” a K‾-meson nuclear bound state, observed in 3He(K−,Λp)n reactions

• We observed a distinct peak in the Λp invariant mass spectrum of He3(K−,Λp)n, well below mK+2mp, i.e., the mass threshold of the K− to be bound to two protons. By selecting a relatively large momentum-transfer region q=350∼650 MeV/c, one can kinematically separate the peak from the quasi-free process, K‾N→K‾N followed by the non-resonant absorption by the two spectator-nucleons K‾NN→ΛN. We found that the simplest fit to the observed peak gives us a Breit–Wigner pole position at BKpp=47±3(stat.)−6 +3(sys.) MeV having a width ΓKpp=115±7(stat.)−20 +10(sys.) MeV, and the S-wave Gaussian reaction form-factor parameter QKpp=381±14(stat.)−0 +57(sys.) MeV/c, as a new form of the nuclear bound system with strangeness – “K−pp”.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Subatomär fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Subatomic Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Kaon

Mesonic nuclear bound state

Strangeness

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)