Distillation of scalar exchange by coherent hypernucleus production in antiproton-nucleus collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how scalar meson exchange influences hypernucleus production in antiproton-nucleus collisions, proposing a method to test scalar exchange effects via cross section measurements at various beam momenta.

Contribution

It introduces a meson exchange model incorporating scalar $ar K$-meson exchange to analyze hypernucleus production, highlighting its impact on cross section behavior.

Findings

Cross sections are highly sensitive to scalar $ar K$-meson exchange effects.

The shape of the beam momentum dependence reveals the presence of scalar exchange.

The model provides a potential experimental test for scalar meson exchange in hypernuclear reactions.

Abstract

The total and angular differential cross sections of the coherent process $\bar p + {}^AZ \to {}^A_\Lambda(Z-1) + \bar{\Lambda}$ are evaluated at the beam momenta $1.5\div20$ GeV/c within the meson exchange model with bound proton and $\Lambda$-hyperon wave functions. It is shown that the shape of the beam momentum dependence of the hypernucleus production cross sections with various discrete $\Lambda$ states is strongly sensitive to the presence of the scalar $\kappa$-meson exchange in the $\bar p p \to \bar\Lambda \Lambda$ amplitude. This can be used as a clean test of the exchange by scalar $\pi K$ correlation in coherent $\bar p A$ reactions.