Interaction of η\eta mesons with a three-nucleon system

A study of the $\eta$-3N interaction in the energy region near the $\eta$-^3H elastic scattering threshold is presented. The calculational scheme is based on the four-body scattering formalism. A manageable form of the integral equations is achieved by using a separable ansatz for the driving two-body $\eta N$- and NN-forces as well as for the subamplitudes appearing in the (1+3) and (2+2) partitions of the $\eta$-3N system. Results presented for the $\eta$-^3H scattering length point to the existence of a virtual (antibound) s-wave $\eta$-^3H state. As a consequence, a large enhancement of the cross section for $\eta$-production from three-body nuclei is predicted.Comment: 4 pages including 2 eps-figures, Contribution to MESON 2002, 7th Int. Workshop on Production, Properties and Interaction of Mesons, Cracow, Poland, May 24-28, 200

Analysis of the low-energy η\etaNN-dynamics within a three-body formalism

The interaction of an $\eta$-meson with two nucleons is studied within a three-body approach. The major features of the $\eta NN$-system in the low-energy region are accounted for by using a s-wave separable ansatz for the two-body $\eta N$- and $NN$-amplitudes. The calculation is confined to the $(J^\pi;T)=(0^-;1)$ and $(1^-;0)$ configurations which are assumed to be the most promising candidates for virtual or resonant $\eta NN$-states. The eigenvalue three-body equation is continued analytically into the nonphysical sheets by contour deformation. The position of the poles of the three-body scattering matrix as a function of the $\eta N$-interaction strength is investigated. The corresponding trajectory, starting on the physical sheet, moves around the $\eta NN$ three-body threshold and continues away from the physical area giving rise to virtual $\eta NN$-states. The search for poles on the nonphysical sheets adjacent directly to the upper rim of the real energy axis gives a negative result. Thus no low-lying s-wave $\eta NN$-resonances were found. The possible influence of virtual poles on the low-energy $\eta NN$-scattering is discussed.Comment: 16 pages revtex including 10 figure