The $η{-}^3$He scattering length revisited

Abstract

The possible existence of $η$-mesic nuclei poses an interesting and still open issue of research. Since the occurence of such $η$-nucleus bound states is reflected in the corresponding $η$-nucleus scattering length, we critically review the present knowledge for the $η$$^3$He system. Specifically, we scrutinize the available experimental information for the reaction $p{+}d \to η{+} ^3{\rm He}$ which is commonly used to extract the $η$$^3$He scattering length. We point out several striking discrepancies between the various measurements. Subject to those inconsistencies we deduce a value of $a{=}|4.3{\pm}0.3|{+}i(0.5{\pm}0.5)$ fm.

8 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Eur. Phys. J. A