Speaker
Description
In recent papers [PLB 837 (2023) 137669 and NPA 1039 (2023) 122795] we showed that all measured (1sΛ, 1pΛ) pairs of Λ binding energies in Λ-hypernuclei 12 ≤ A ≤ 208, can be obtained from a Λ-nucleus optical potential with only two adjustable ΛN and ΛN N parameters, associated with leading linear and quadratic terms in the nuclear density. Consequences of suppressing ΛN N interactions between ‘core’ nucleons and ‘excess’ neutrons are studied and related predictions are made for (1sΛ, 1pΛ) binding energies in {40,48}^K, obtainable from upcoming {40,48}^Ca(e,e′K+) JLab experiments. We find Λ-nucleus partial potential depths of D(2) Λ = −38.6 ± 0.8 MeV (ΛN ) and D(3) Λ = 11.3 ± 1.4 MeV (ΛN N ), with a total depth DΛ = −27.3 ± 0.6 MeV at nuclear-matter density ρ0=0.17 fm−3. Extrapolation to higher nuclear densities and possible relevance to the ‘hyperon puzzle’ in neutron-star matter
are discussed.