Search for the 4He-eta bound state with WASA-at-COSY

TL;DR

This study searches for a bound state of helium-4 and eta meson using the WASA-at-COSY facility by measuring excitation functions to identify potential binding energy and width of the state.

Contribution

First experimental search for the 4He-eta bound state via excitation function measurement with detailed beam energy scanning.

Findings

Initial measurements performed in June 2008.

Beam energy scan from -51.4 MeV to 22 MeV.

Method established for detecting the bound state.

Abstract

We conduct a search for the 4He-eta bound state with WASA-at-COSY facility, via a measurement of the excitation functions for the dd->3Heppi- reaction, where the outgoing p-pi- pairs originate from the conversion of the eta meson on a nucleon inside the He nucleus. Determination of the profile of the excitation curve below the threshold of the dd->4He-eta reaction will allow to establish the binding energy and the width of the He-eta bound state. In June, 2008 first measurements of the excitation functions for the dd->3Heppi- reaction were performed. In the experiment we used a slowly ramped COSY deuteron beam, scanning the range of momenta corresponding to the variation of the excess energy for the 4He-eta system from -51.4 MeV to 22 MeV.