J-PARC E27 Experiment to Search for a K−pp Bound State

We have carried out an experimental search for the simplest kaonic nucleus, $K^{ - }pp$, by using the $d(\pi ^{ + },K^{ + })$ reaction at $p_{\pi ^{ + }}$ = 1.69 GeV/$c$. The differential cross section of this reaction with covering a wide missing-mass range from the $\Lambda$ production threshold to the $\Lambda (1405)/\Sigma (1385)$ region has been measured for the first time. The inclusive missing-mass shape of the $\Lambda$ and $\Sigma$ production region was understood with a simple quasi-free picture except for an enhancement at 2.13 GeV/$c^{2}$ due to a $\Sigma N$ cusp. An obtained peak attributed to $Y^{*}$ production was significantly shifted to the low mass side compared with the simulation by $- 22.4$ MeV/$c^{2}$

Summary of the

The possible existence of deeply-bound $\bar K$-nuclear bound states, kaonic nuclei, has been widely discussed as products of the strongly attractive $\bar K$N interaction in I = 0 channels. Investigations of those exotic states will provide us unique information of the $\bar K$N interaction below the threshold, which is still not fully understood so far. Recently, we observed the simplest kaonic nuclei, $\bar K$NN, having a much deeper binding energy than normal nuclei via inflight (K−, N) reactions at the J-PARC E15 experiment. For further studies, we have proposed a series of experimental programs for the systematic investigation of light kaonic nuclei, from $\bar K$N (Λ(1405)) to $\bar K$NNNN. We will measure the $\bar K$NNN (A = 3) system at the new experiment approved as J-PARC E80, as a first step toward a comprehensive study