Calculations of kaonic nuclei based on chiral meson-baryon coupled channel interaction models

We present our latest calculations of $K^-$-nuclear quasi-bound states using a self-consistent scheme for constructing $K^-$-nuclear potentials from various subthreshold chirally inspired $\bar{K}N$ scattering amplitudes. We consider in-medium versions of the scattering amplitudes taking into account Pauli blocking in the intermediate states. The resulting $K^-$ binding energies as well as the widths exhibit the same A dependence, however, the binding energies strongly depend on the model used.Comment: 4 pages, proceedings of the MESON 2016 conference, Krakow, Poland, June 2 - 7, 201

Future directions in kaonic atom physics

Recent progress and open problems in kaonic atom physics are presented. A connection between phenomenological deep potentials and the underlying $K^-N$ interaction is established as well as the need for a theory for multinucleon absorption of kaons. $K^-$ absorption at rest to specific $\Lambda$ hypernuclei states is briefly discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, proceedings of the EXA2011 conference, to appear in Hyperfine Interaction

Lambda-hypernuclear production in stopped (K-,pion) reactions reexamined

DWIA calculations of Lambda-hypernuclear production rates in stopped K- reactions on several p-shell targets used recently in experiments by the FINUDA Collaboration are reported. Chirally motivated K- + N -> pion + Lambda in-medium transition amplitudes are employed and the sensitivity of the calculated rates to the initial K- atomic wavefunctions and final pion distorted waves is studied. The calculated rates are compared with measured rates, wherever available, confirming earlier observations that (i) the calculated rates are generally lower than the measured rates, and (ii) the deeper the K- nuclear potential, the worse is the discrepancy. The A dependence of the calculated 1s Lambda hypernuclear production rates is discussed for the first time, providing a useful tool in resolving the issue of depth of the K- nuclear potential near threshold.Comment: matches published version, including the dubious change of `revisited' in the title to `reexamined' upon PRC Editor's insistenc

Chirally motivated K^- nuclear potentials

In-medium subthreshold KbarN scattering amplitudes calculated within a chirally motivated meson-baryon coupled-channel model are used self consistently to confront K^- atom data across the periodic table. Substantially deeper K^- nuclear potentials are obtained compared to the shallow potentials derived in some approaches from threshold amplitudes, with Re V_{chiral} = -(85+/-5) MeV at nuclear matter density. When KbarNN contributions are incorporated phenomenologically, a very deep K^- nuclear potential results, Re V_{chiral+phen.} = -(180+/-5) MeV, in agreement with density dependent potentials obtained in purely phenomenological fits to the data. Self consistent dynamical calculations of K^- nuclear quasibound states are reported and discussed.Comment: extended discussion, unchanged results and conclusions, accepted by PL

Chirally motivated KˉN\bar{K}N amplitudes for in-medium applications

A new fit of a chirally motivated coupled-channels model for meson-baryon interactions is presented including the recent SIDDHARTA data on the 1s level characteristics of kaonic hydrogen. The kaon-nucleon amplitudes generated by the model are fully consistent with our earlier studies. We argue that a sharp increase of the real part of the in-medium $K^{-}p$ amplitude at subthreshold energies provides a link between the shallow $\bar{K}$-nuclear optical potentials obtained microscopically from threshold $\bar{K}N$ interactions and the phenomenological deep ones deduced from kaonic atoms data. The impact on the $A$-dependence of the $\Lambda$-hypernuclear formation rates measured in reactions with stopped kaons is discussed too.Comment: 18 pages, updated to match the version accepted for publication in a special issue of Nuclear Physics A on Strangeness Nuclear Physic

Antikaon-nucleus dynamics: from quasibound states to kaon condensation

Coupled-channel Kbar-N dynamics near threshold and its repercussions in few-body Kbar-nuclear systems are briefly reviewed, highlighting studies of a K^-pp quasibound state. In heavier nuclei, the extension of mean-field calculations to multi-Kbar nuclear and hypernuclear quasibound states is discussed. It is concluded that strangeness in finite self-bound systems is realized through hyperons, with no room for kaon condensation.Comment: Proceedings version of plenary talk at Quark Nuclear Physics (QNP09) September 2009, Beijing; matches published versio