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

Faddeev calculation of a K−ppK^- p p quasi-bound state

We report on the first genuinely three-body ${\bar K}NN - \pi \Sigma N$ coupled-channel Faddeev calculation in search for quasi-bound states in the $K^- p p$ system. The main absorptivity in the $K^- p$ subsystem is accounted for by fitting to $K^- p$ data near threshold. Our calculation yields one such quasi-bound state, with $I=1/2$, $J^{\pi}=0^-$, bound in the range $B \sim 55-70$ MeV, with a width of $\Gamma \sim 95-110$ MeV. These results differ substantially from previous estimates, and are at odds with the $K^- p p \to \Lambda p$ signal observed by the FINUDA collaboration.Comment: Minor editorial revision; version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Multi-Kˉ\bar{K} nuclei and kaon condensation

We extend previous relativistic mean-field (RMF) calculations of multi-$\bar K$ nuclei, using vector boson fields with SU(3) PPV coupling constants and scalar boson fields constrained phenomenologically. For a given core nucleus, the resulting $\bar K$ separation energy $B_{\bar K}$, as well as the associated nuclear and $\bar K$-meson densities, saturate with the number $\kappa$ of $\bar K$ mesons for $\kappa > \kappa_{\rm sat} \sim 10$. Saturation appears robust against a wide range of variations, including the RMF nuclear model used and the type of boson fields mediating the strong interactions. Because $B_{\bar K}$ generally does not exceed 200 MeV, it is argued that multi-$\bar K$ nuclei do not compete with multihyperonic nuclei in providing the ground state of strange hadronic configurations and that kaon condensation is unlikely to occur in strong-interaction self-bound strange hadronic matter. Last, we explore possibly self-bound strange systems made of neutrons and ${\bar K}^0$ mesons, or protons and $K^-$ mesons, and study their properties.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, revised text and reference

On the Stability of Λ(1405)\Lambda(1405) Matter

A hypothesis of absolutely stable strange hadronic matter composed of $\Lambda(1405)$ baryons, here denoted $\Lambda^*$, is tested within many-body calculations performed using the Relativistic Mean-Field approach. In our calculations, we employed the $\Lambda^*\Lambda^*$ interaction compatible with the $\Lambda^*\Lambda^*$ binding energy $B_{\Lambda^*\Lambda^*}=40$~MeV given by the phenomenological energy-independent $\bar{K}N$ interaction model by Yamazaki and Akaishi (YA). We found that the binding energy per $\Lambda^*$, as well as the central density in $\Lambda^*$ many-body systems saturates for mass number $A\geq120$, leaving $\Lambda^*$ aggregates highly unstable against strong interaction decay. Moreover, we confronted the YA interaction model with kaonic atom data and found that it fails to reproduce the $K^-$ single-nucleon absorption fractions at rest from bubble chamber experiments.Comment: Proceedings of the HYP2018 conference, Norfolk/Portsmouth, USA, June 24 - 29, 2018, submitted to AIP Conference Proceeding

Antiproton-nucleus potentials from global fits to antiprotonic X-rays and radiochemical data

We report on global fits of optical-model parameters to 90 data points for $\bar p$ X-rays and 17 data points of radiochemical data put together. With the help of separate fits to the two kinds of data it is possible to determine phenomenologically the radial region where the absorption of antiprotons takes place and to obtain neutron densities which represent the average behaviour over the periodic table. A finite-range attractive and absorptive $\bar p$-nuclear isoscalar potential fits the data well. Self-consistent dynamical calculations within the RMF model demonstrate that the polarization of the nucleus by the {\it atomic} antiproton is negligible.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, one table. Extended discussion, to appear in Nucl. Phys.

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

Kˉ\bar K nuclear bound states in a dynamical model

A comprehensive data base of K- atom level shifts and widths is re-analyzed in order to study the density dependence of the Kbar-nuclear optical potential. Significant departure from a t*rho form is found only for nuclear densities about and less than 20% of nuclear-matter density, and extrapolation to nuclear-matter density yields an attractive potential, about 170 MeV deep. Partial restoration of chiral symmetry compatible with pionic atoms and low-energy pion-nuclear data plays no role at the relevant low-density regime, but this effect is not ruled out at high densities. Kbar-nuclear bound states are generated across the periodic table self consistently, using a relativistic mean-field model Lagrangian which couples the Kbar to the scalar and vector meson fields mediating the nuclear interactions. The reduced phase space available for Kbar absorption from these bound states is taken into account by adding an energy-dependent imaginary term which underlies the corresponding Kbar-nuclear level widths, with a strength required by fits to the atomic data. Substantial polarization of the core nucleus is found for light nuclei, and the binding energies and widths calculated in this dynamical model differ appreciably from those calculated for a static nucleus. A wide range of binding energies is spanned by varying the Kbar couplings to the meson fields. Our calculations provide a lower limit of Gamma(Kbar) = 50 +/- 10 MeV on the width of nuclear bound states for Kbar binding energy in the range B(Kbar) = 100 - 200 MeV. Comments are made on the interpretation of the FINUDA experiment at DAFNE, Frascati, which claimed evidence for deeply bound (K- pp) states in light nuclei.Comment: Added 2 figures and discussion. Version accepted for publication in NP