Open-charm systems in cold nuclear matter

We study the spectral distributions of charmed meson with $J^P=0^-$ quantum numbers in cold nuclear matter applying a self-consistent and covariant many-body approach established previously for the nuclear dynamics of kaons. At leading orders the computation requires as input the free-space two-body scattering amplitudes only. Our results are based on the s-wave meson-nucleon amplitudes obtained recently in terms of a coupled-channel approach. The amplitudes are characterized by the presence of many resonances in part so far not observed. This gives rise to an intriguing dynamics of charmed mesons in nuclear matter. At nuclear saturation density we predict a pronounced two-mode structure of the $D^+$ mesons with a main branch pushed up by about 32 MeV. The lower branch reflects the coupling to two resonance-hole states that are almost degenerate. For the $D^-$ we obtain a single mode pushed up by about 18 MeV relative to the vacuum mode. Most spectacular are the results for the $D^+_s$ meson. The presence of an exotic resonance-hole state gives rise to a rather broad and strongly momentum dependent spectral distribution.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

On causality, unitarity and perturbative expansions

We present a pedagogical case study how to combine micro-causality and unitarity based on a perturbative approach. The method we advocate constructs an analytic extrapolation of partial-wave scattering amplitudes that is constrained by the unitarity condition. Suitably constructed conformal mappings help to arrive at a systematic approximation of the scattering amplitude. The technique is illustrated at hand of a Yukawa interaction. The typical case of a superposition of strong short-range and weak long-range forces is investigated.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figure

Electromagnetic transitions in an effective chiral Lagrangian with the eta-prime and light vector mesons

We consider the chiral Lagrangian with a nonet of Goldstone bosons and a nonet of light vector mesons. The mixing between the pseudoscalar mesons eta and eta-prime is taken into account. A novel counting scheme is suggested that is based on hadrogenesis, which conjectures a mass gap in the meson spectrum of QCD in the limit of a large number of colors. Such a mass gap would justify to consider the vector mesons and the eta-prime meson as light degrees of freedom. The complete leading order Lagrangian is constructed and discussed. As a first application it is tested against electromagnetic transitions of light vector mesons to pseudoscalar mesons. Our parameters are determined by the experimental data on photon decays of the omega, phi and eta-prime meson. In terms of such parameters we predict the corresponding decays into virtual photons with either dielectrons or dimuons in the final state.Comment: 17 pages, extended discussion on mixin

On baryon resonances and chiral symmetry

We study J^P=(3/2)^- baryon resonances as generated by chiral coupled-channel dynamics. Parameter free results are obtained in terms of the Weinberg-Tomozawa term predicting the leading s-wave interaction strength of Goldstone bosons with baryon-decuplet states. In the 'heavy' SU(3) limit with m_\pi = m_K \sim 500 MeV the resonances turn into bound states forming a decuplet and octet representation of the SU(3) group. Using physical masses the mass splitting are remarkably close to the empirical pattern.Comment: revised version: includes two additional references, gives improved discussions and eliminted some misprint

On kinematical constraints in boson-boson systems

We consider the scattering of two-bosons with negative parity and spin 0 or 1. Starting from helicity partial-wave scattering amplitudes we derive transformations that eliminate all kinematical constraints. Such amplitudes are expected to satisfy partial-wave dispersion relations and therefore provide a suitable basis for data analysis and the construction of effective field theories. Our derivation relies on a decomposition of the various scattering amplitudes into suitable sets of invariant functions. A novel algebra was developed that permits the efficient computation of such functions in terms of computer algebra codes.Comment: 14 pages, 8 table

Baryon resonances from chiral coupled-channel dynamics

We discuss the formation of s- and d-wave baryon resonances as predicted by the chiral SU(3) symmetry of QCD. Based on the leading order term of the chiral Lagrangian a rich spectrum of molecules is generated, owing to final-state interactions. The spectrum of s- and d-wave baryon states with zero and non-zero charm is remarkably consistent with the empirical pattern. In particular, the recently announced Sigma_c(2800) of the BELLE collaboration is reproduced with realistic mass and width parameters. Similarly, the d-wave states Lambda_c(2625) and Xi_c(2815) are explained naturally to be chiral excitations of J^P=3/2^+ states. In the open-charm sector exotic multiplet structures are predicted. These findings support a radical conjecture: meson and baryon resonances that do not belong to the large-N_c ground state of QCD should be viewed as hadronic molecular state

Migdal's short range correlations in a covariant model

We construct a covariant model for short range correlations of a pion emerged in nuclear matter. Once the delta-hole contribution is considered an additional and so far neglected channel opens that leads to significant modifications in the vicinity of the kinematical region defined by \omega \sim |\vec q |. We speculate that this novel effect should be important for the quantitative interpretation of charge exchange reactions like C(He,t).Comment: correction of minor misprint

a Unified Chiral Approach to Meson-Nucleon Interaction

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Antikaons and hyperons in nuclear matter with saturation

We evaluate the antikaon and hyperon spectral functions in a self-consistent and covariant many-body approach. The computation is based on coupled-channel dynamics derived from the chiral SU(3) Lagrangian. A novel subtraction scheme is developed that avoids kinematical singularities and medium-induced power divergencies all together. Scalar and vector mean fields are used to model nuclear binding and saturation. The effect of the latter is striking for the antikaon spectral function that becomes significantly more narrow at small momenta. Attractive mass shifts of about 30 and 40 MeV are predicted for the Lambda(1405) and Sigma(1385) resonances. Once scalar and vector mean fields for the nucleon are switched on the Lambda(1520) resonances dissolves almost completely in nuclear matter. All together only moderate attraction is predicted for the nuclear antikaon systems at saturation density. However, at larger densities we predict a sizable population of soft antikaon modes that arise from the coupling of the antikaon to a highly collective Lambda(1115) nucleon-hole state. This may lead to the formation of exotic nuclear systems with strangeness and antikaon condensation in compact stars at moderate densities.Comment: 49 pages, 13 figures, The revised manuscript contains additional material at twice nuclear saturation density. An unexpected and novel mechanism is unravelled that may have dramatic implications on the formation of exotic nuclear systems with strangeness and antikaon condensation in compact star

Baryon self energies in the chiral loop expansion

We compute the self energies of the baryon octet and decuplet states at the one-loop level applying the manifestly covariant chiral Lagrangian. It is demonstrated that expressions consistent with the expectation of power counting rules arise if the self energies are decomposed according to the Passarino-Veltman scheme supplemented by a minimal subtraction. This defines a partial summation of the chiral expansion. A finite renormalization required to install chiral power counting rules leads to the presence of an infrared renormalization scale. Good convergence properties for the chiral loop expansion of the baryon octet and decuplet masses are obtained for natural values of the infrared scale. A prediction for the strange-quark matrix element of the nucleon is made.Comment: 36 pages, 4 figures, 8 tables. The revised manuscript contains a proof that given any one-loop integral that arises when computing one-baryon processes it is sufficient to renormalize the scalar master-loop functions of the Passarino-Veltman reduction in a manner that the latter are compatible with the expectation of chiral counting rule