Kaon-Nucleus Interaction Studied through the in-flight ( K − , N ) Reactions

• Published in: Nuclear physics. A Vol. 827; no. 1; pp. 321c - 323c
• Main Authors: Kishimoto, T., Hayakawa, T., Ajimura, S., Khanam, F., Itabashi, T., Matsuoka, K., Minami, S., Mitoma, Y., Sakaguchi, A., Shimizu, Y., Terai, K., Chrien, R.E., Pile, P., Noumi, H., Sekimoto, M., Takahashi, H., Fukuda, T., Imoto, W., Mizoi, Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier B.V 15.08.2009
• Subjects: alternating gradient synchrotron; CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; Kaon condensation; Kaon-nucleus interaction; KAONS; NEUTRON STARS; NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; NUCLEI; PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; 26.60.-c; Neutron stars; 13.75.Jz; Kaon-nucleus interaction; 25.80.Nv; Kaon condensation
• ISSN: 0375-9474
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2009.05.066

We studied the K ¯ -nucleus interaction by the ( K − , N ) reactions on 12C and 16O. An appreciable strength observed in a bound region indicates that the K ¯ -nuclear potential is strongly attractive. Potential depth was derived by comparing with the theoretical calculations. It is −190 MeV for the C ( K − , n ) 12 −160 MeV for the C ( K − , p ) 12 , and −180 MeV for the O ( K − , n ) 16 reaction and −160 MeV for the O ( K − , p ) 16 respectively. Our data suggest that the K ¯ -nucleus potential is sufficiently deep to realize kaon condensation in the core of neutron stars.