Production of charmed baryon $\Lambda_c(2940)$ by kaon-induced reaction on a proton target

TL;DR

This study explores the production of the charmed baryon $ ext{Lambda}_c(2940)$ via kaon-induced reactions on a proton target, predicting observable signals and cross sections to guide experimental investigations.

Contribution

It introduces an effective Lagrangian model to analyze $ ext{Lambda}_c(2940)$ production and decay, providing predictions for cross sections and invariant mass spectra.

Findings

Total cross section around 10 μb for $K^- p o ext{Lambda}_c(2940) D_s^-$

Significant $ ext{Lambda}_c(2940)$ signals in $D^0 p$ invariant mass spectrum

Main production at forward angles, promising for experimental detection

Abstract

We investigate the possibility to study the charmed baryon $\Lambda_c(2940)$ by kaon-induced reaction on a proton target. By assuming the $\Lambda_c(2940)$ as a $pD^{*0}$ molecular state with spin-parity $J^{p}=1/2^{\pm}$, an effective Lagrangian approach was adopted to calculate the cross section, the $D^0p$ invariant mass spectrum and Dalitz plot of the $\Lambda(2940)$ production. The total cross section of the $K^{-}p\to\Lambda_c(2940)D_s^{-}$ reaction is found at an order of magnitude about 10 $\mu$b. By considering the sub sequential decay $\Lambda_c(2940)\to{}D^0p$ with contributions from the $\Lambda_c(2286)$ and the $\Sigma_c(2455)$ as background, the $K^{-}p\to{}D_{s}^{-}D^{0}p$ reaction are studied. It is found that the $\Lambda_c(2940)$ is produced mainly at forward angles. The $\Lambda_c(2940)$ signal is predicted to be significant in the $D^0p$ invariant mass spectrum and the Dalitz plot of the $K^{-}p\to{}D_{s}^{-}D^{0}p$ reaction. The results suggest that it is promising to study the $\Lambda_c(2940)$ with high-energy kaon beam on a proton target in experiment.