arXiv · 1811.03842
Towards resolving the $_Λ^3$H lifetime puzzle
Abstract
Recent $_Λ^3$H lifetime measurements in relativistic heavy ion collision experiments have yielded values shorter by (30$\pm$8)% than the free $Λ$ lifetime $τ_Λ$, thereby questioning the naive expectation that $τ({_Λ^3}{\rm H})\approxτ_Λ$ for a weakly bound $Λ$ hyperon. Here we apply the closure approximation introduced by Dalitz and coworkers to evaluate the $_Λ^3$H lifetime, using $_Λ^3$H wavefunctions generated by solving three-body Faddeev equations. Our result, disregarding pion final-state interaction (FSI), is $τ({_Λ^3}{\rm H})$=(0.90$\pm$0.01)$τ_Λ$. In contrast to previous works, pion FSI is found attractive, reducing further $τ({_Λ^3}{\rm H})$ to $τ({_Λ^3}{\rm H})$=(0.81$\pm$0.02)$τ_Λ$. We also evaluate for the first time $τ({_Λ^3}{\rm n})$, finding it considerably longer than $τ_Λ$, contrary to the shorter lifetime values suggested by the GSI HypHI experiment for this controversial hypernucleus.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Avraham Gal, Humberto Garcilazo. 2019-08-05. Towards resolving the $_Λ^3$H lifetime puzzle. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2019.02.014
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.