Single-pole nature of Lambda (1405) and structure of K-pp

TL;DR

This study investigates the structure of the K-pp system, revealing a molecular-like configuration with a single-pole Lambda(1405), and discusses the implications for understanding deeply bound kaonic nuclear states.

Contribution

It introduces a variational approach to analyze K-pp, demonstrating a molecular structure with a single-pole Lambda(1405) and clarifying its role in kaonic nuclear systems.

Findings

Lambda(1405) has a single-pole structure.

K-pp forms a molecular-like bound state.

Experimental invariant mass analysis can determine Lambda* mass.

Abstract

We have studied the structure of K- pp by solving this system in a variational treatment, starting from ansatz that Lambda(1405) is a K-p quasi-bound state, Lambda* with mass 1405 MeV/c2. The structure of K-pp reveals a molecular feature, namely, the K- in an "atomic center", Lambda*, plays a key role in producing strong covalent bonding with the other proton. Deeply bound Kbar nuclear systems are formed by this "super-strong" nuclear force due to migrating real bosons, Kbar, a la Heitler-London-Heisenberg, which overcompensates the stiff nuclear incompressibility. Theoretical background of the Lambda (1405) ansatz is discussed in connection with the double-pole picture of Lambda (1405) based on chiral SU(3) dynamics. Detailed analysis reveals single-pole nature of the observable Lambda (1405). There are two kinds of Sigma pi invariant masses experimentally observable, the usual T22 invariant mass and the conversion T21 invariant mass. It is of vital importance to determine whether the Lambda* mass is 1405 MeV or 1420 MeV. The T21 invariant mass from K- absorption at rest in deuteron can provide decisive information about this Lambda* mass problem.