Precision $YN$ and $\bar{n}N$ measurements with an LH$_2$/LD$_2$ target in the BESIII detector

Abstract

Located at the BEPCII $e^{+}e^{-}$ collider, the BESIII experiment provides a robust platform for investigating (anti)hyperon-nucleon ($YN$) and antineutron-nucleon ($\bar{n}N$) interactions. This is made possible by the high production cross-sections of $J/\psi$ and $\psi(3686)$ resonances and their substantial decay branches into these baryons. Although previous studies using the beam pipe as a target demonstrated feasibility, statistical precision remains constrained by the limited material budget. To address this, we propose installing a dedicated liquid hydrogen or liquid deuterium target between the beam pipe and the Cylindrical Gas Electron Multiplier Inner Tracker. Monte Carlo simulations confirm that the added material has a negligible effect on charged particle tracking. This upgrade is expected to enhance the effective luminosity for scattering on free protons by a factor of 10--30 for $\Lambda$, $\Sigma^{+}$, $\Xi$, and $\bar{n}$ beams, enabling high-precision measurements of $YN$ and $\bar{n}N$ interactions that will significantly advance our knowledge of non-perturbative strong interactions.