Strong and Electromagnetic Decays of Two New $Lambda_c^*$ Baryons

Abstract

Two recently discovered excited charm baryons are studied within the framework of Heavy Hadron Chiral Perturbation Theory. We interpret these new baryons which lie $308 \MeV$ and $340 \MeV$ above the $Λ_c$ as $I=0$ members of a P-wave spin doublet. Differential and total decay rates for their double pion transitions down to the $Λ_c$ ground state are calculated. Estimates for their radiative decay rates are also discussed. We find that the experimentally determined characteristics of the $Λ_c^*$ baryons may be simply understood in the effective theory.

16 pages with 4 figures not included but available upon request, CALT-68-1912