A critical analysis on deeply bound kaonic states in nuclei

Abstract

We make a critical analysis on the theoretical calculations that lead to predictions of deeply bound kaonic states in nuclei. The model set-up, after dropping several important processes and channels, leads unavoidably to an unrealistic deep potential with a very small imaginary part. We review also the experimental results taken as reference for the claim of deeply bound kaons. We suggest that the peaks of the proton spectra come from $K^-$ absorption on a pair of nucleons, leaving the rest of the nucleons as spectators. Based on this conjecture we predict what would happen in other nuclei.

19 pags., 4 figs, version to be published in Phys. Rev. C