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K. Itahashi

Publications and source records attributed to K. Itahashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Hadron Physics Opportunities at FAIR

This White Paper outlines a coordinated, decade-spanning programme of hadron and QCD studies anchored at the GSI/FAIR accelerator complex. Profiting from intense deuteron, proton and pion beams coupled with high-rate capable detectors and an international theory effort, the initiative addresses fundamental questions related to the strong interaction featuring confinement and dynamical mass generation. This includes our understanding of hadron-hadron interactions and the composition of hadrons through mapping the baryon and meson spectra, including exotic states, and quantifying hadron structure. This interdisciplinary research connects topics in the fields of nuclear, heavy-ion, and (nuclear) astro (particle) physics, linking, for example, terrestrial data to constraints on neutron star structure. A phased roadmap with SIS100 accelerator start-up and envisaged detector upgrades will yield precision cross sections, transition form factors, in-medium spectral functions, and validated theory inputs. Synergies with external programmes at international accelerator facilities worldwide are anticipated. The programme is expected to deliver decisive advances in our understanding of non-perturbative (strong) QCD and astrophysics, and high-rate detector and data-science technology.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2026

Measurement of $^{3,4}$He($K^-, π^0$)$^{3,4}_Λ$H reaction cross section and evaluation of hypertriton $Λ$ binding energy

Light $s$-shell hypernuclei ($^{3,4}_Λ\text{H}$) and their ground-state properties are crucial benchmarks in hypernuclear physics. In particular, comparing the production cross sections of $^{3}_Λ\text{H}$ and $^{4}_Λ\text{H}$ provides insights into the $ΛN$ interaction in different isospin configurations, which can help address recent discrepancies in the reported $Λ$ binding energy of hypertriton. We present the first measurement of the production cross sections for $^{3}_Λ\text{H}$ and $^{4}_Λ\text{H}$ using the in-flight $(K^-, π^0)$ reaction at a beam momentum of 1.0 GeV/$c$ with an identical experimental setup. The production cross sections in the laboratory frame, for the angular range from 0$^{\circ}$ to 20$^{\circ}$, are measured to be $15.0~\pm~2.6~(\text{stat.})~^{+2.4}_{-2.8}~(\text{syst.})~μ\text{b} $ and $49.9~\pm~2.1~(\text{stat.})~^{+7.8}_{-8.0}~(\text{syst.})~μ\text{b}$ for the ground-state of $^{3}_Λ\text{H}$ and $^{4}_Λ\text{H}$, respectively. Using the ratio of these cross sections and comparing it with theoretical calculations, we evaluate the $Λ$ binding energy of hypertriton, yielding a value consistent with the picture of a loosely bound system.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2025

Excitation Spectra of the ${}^{12}{\rm C}(p,d)$ Reaction near the $η'$-Meson Emission Threshold Measured in Coincidence with High-Momentum Protons

The missing mass of the ${}^{12}{\rm C}(p,d)$ reaction has been measured near the $η'$-meson emission threshold in coincidence with a high-momentum proton to selectively collect $η'$-${}^{11}{\rm C}$ mesic nucleus formation events at GSI, Germany. A 2.5 GeV proton excites a carbon nucleus to form an $η'$-mesic nucleus emitting a deuteron forward with an energy of $\sim 1.6$ GeV. The deuteron is momentum-analyzed by the Fragment Separator used as a high-resolution spectrometer to deduce the excitation energy of the residual system. The large-acceptance detector WASA surrounding the target identifies high-momentum protons emitted in the decay of the $η'$-mesic nucleus. The measured semi-exclusive spectrum exhibits structures below the threshold though the statistical significance is limited. The spectrum is fitted by theoretically calculated spectra varying optical-potential parameters of the $η'$-nucleus interaction. The analysis results indicate $η'$-mesic nuclei formation for the real potential depth of $\sim -61$ MeV with a local statistical significance of $3.5 σ$ and, taking into account the look-elsewhere effect, a global significance of $2.1 σ$.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2025

Observation of Tensor-Driven High-Momentum Neutrons in ${}^{16}$O via ($p,d$) Reactions and Zero-Degree Deuteron Momentum Spectroscopy

The $^{16}\mathrm{O}(p,d)^{15}\mathrm{O}$ reaction has been studied at $0^{\circ}$ using 403-, 604-, 907- and 1209-MeV protons, comparing cross sections populating positive- and negative-parity states in $^{15}\mathrm{O}$. Transitions to positive-parity states exhibit strong sensitivity to high-momentum neutrons, while negative-parity transitions show much smaller effects. The cross-section ratio between positive- and negative-parity states rises sharply with momentum transfer, matching theoretical predictions that include tensor interactions, particularly the peak near $2~\mathrm{fm}^{-1}$ for the $5/2^{+}$ to ground-state ratio. These results highlight $0^{\circ}$ neutron-pickup reactions as a sensitive probe for tensor-driven high-momentum components, paving the way for studies in exotic nuclei via radioactive beams.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2025

Performance of newly constructed plastic scintillator barrel in the WASA-FRS experiments and evaluation of radiation damage effects on multi-pixel photon counter

A barrel-shaped plastic scintillation counter with Multi-Pixel Photon Counter (MPPC) readout has been developed and operated in the first WASA-FRS experimental campaign at GSI. The detector was used to measure charged particles emitted from reactions induced by a 2.5 GeV proton beam incident on a carbon target, providing particle identification in combination with momentum reconstruction in a 1 T magnetic field. The performance of this detector, particularly its response to energy deposition and time resolution, was systematically investigated as a function of count rate and total number of irradiating protons. A time resolution of 45-75 ps ($σ$), depending on the energy deposition, was achieved. Stable performance was maintained under high-rate conditions up to 1.35 MHz per single counter, with no significant degradation in either signal amplitude or timing response. Radiation-induced damage to the MPPCs was observed primarily as a reduction in signal amplitude, with approximately $35\%$ decrease at an estimated 1 MeV neutron-equivalent fluence of $2.4 \times 10^{10}$ cm$^{-2}$.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2024

Measurement of the mesonic decay branch of the $\bar{K}\!N\!N$ quasi-bound state

We conducted measurements of $K^- + {^3{\rm He}} \to π\!Y \!N + N'$ reactions using a $1~{\rm GeV}/c$ $K^-$-beam, with the objective of understanding the broad decay width of $\bar{K} \!N \!N$ (approximately twice as broad as that of $Λ(1405)$ considered to be the $\bar{K} \!N$ quasi-bound state). We successfully reproduced distributions of the $π\! Y \! N$ invariant mass and momentum transfer for $π\! Y \! N$ using model fitting functions for $\bar{K} \!N \!N$ formation and quasi-free $\bar{K}$ absorption (${\rm QF}_{\bar{K}-{\rm abs}}$) processes. The model can describe the experimental data quite well, and four $\bar{K} \! N \! N \to π\! Y \! N $ cross-sections were obtained. The results indicate that mesonic decay is the dominant decay branch of $\bar{K} \! N \! N$. The results also suggest that $Γ_{πΛN} \sim Γ_{πΣN}$, which indicates that the $I_{\bar{K} \! N}=1$ absorption channel, in addition to the $I_{\bar{K} \! N}=0$ absorption channel, substantially contribute to the $\bar{K} \! N \! N$ decay, making the $\bar{K} \! N \! N$ state approximately twice as unstable as $Λ$(1405).

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2023

Precise lifetime measurement of $^4_Λ$H hypernucleus using in-flight $^4$He$(K^-, π^0)^4_Λ$H reaction

We present a new measurement of the $^4_Λ$H hypernuclear lifetime using in-flight $K^-$ + $^4$He $\rightarrow$ $^4_Λ$H + $π^0$ reaction at the J-PARC hadron facility. We demonstrate, for the first time, the effective selection of the hypernuclear bound state using only the $γ$-ray energy decayed from $π^0$. This opens the possibility for a systematic study of isospin partner hypernuclei through comparison with data from ($K^-$, $π^-$) reaction. As the first application of this method, our result for the $^4_Λ$H lifetime, $τ(^4_Λ\mathrm{H}) = 206 \pm 8 (\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 12 (\mathrm{syst.})\ \mathrm{ps}$, is one of the most precise measurements to date. We are also preparing to measure the lifetime of the hypertriton ($^3_Λ$H) using the same setup in the near future.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2022

Pole position of $Λ(1405)$ measured in $d(K^-,n)πΣ$ reactions

We measured a set of $π^\pmΣ^\mp$, $π^0Σ^0$, and $π^-Σ^0$ invariant mass spectra below and above the $\bar{K}N$ mass threshold in $K^-$-induced reactions on deuteron. We deduced the $S$-wave $\bar{K}N\rightarrowπΣ$ and $\bar{K}N\rightarrow\bar{K}N$ scattering amplitudes in the isospin 0 channel in the framework of a $\bar{K}N$ and $πΣ$ coupled channel. We find that a resonance pole corresponding to $Λ(1405)$ is located at 1417.7$^{+6.0}_{-7.4}$(fitting errors)$^{+1.1}_{-1.0}$(systematic errors) + $[-26.1^{+6.0}_{-7.9}$(fitting errors)$^{+1.7}_{-2.0}$(systematic errors)]$i$ MeV/$c^2$, closer to the $\bar{K}N$ mass threshold than the value determined by the Particle Data Group.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2021

Charge-changing cross sections for $^{42\textrm{--}51}$Ca and effect of charged-particle evaporation induced by neutron removal reaction

Charge-changing cross sections $σ_\mathrm{CC}$ for $^{42\textrm{--}51}$Ca on a carbon target at around 280~MeV/nucleon have been measured. The measured $σ_\mathrm{CC}$ values differ significantly from the previously developed calculations based on the Glauber model. However, through introduction of the charged-particle evaporation effect induced by the neutron-removal reaction in addition to the Glauber-model calculation, experimental $σ_\mathrm{CC}$ values on $^{12}$C at around 300~MeV/nucleon for nuclides from C to Fe isotopes are all reproduced with approximately 1\% accuracy. This proposed model systematically reproduces $σ_\mathrm{CC}$ data without phenomenological corrections, and can also explain experimental $σ_\mathrm{CC}$ values obtained in other energy regions.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2021

Recent results and future prospects of kaonic nuclei at J-PARC

$\bar K$-nuclear bound systems, kaonic nuclei, have been widely discussed as products of the strongly attractive $\bar K N$ interaction in $I = 0$ channels. Recently, we demonstrated that kaonic nuclei can be produced via in-flight $(K^-,N)$ reactions using the low-momentum DC kaon beam at the J-PARC E15 experiment. We observed the simplest kaonic nuclei, $K^-pp$, having a much deeper binding energy than normal nuclei. For further studies, we have proposed a series of experimental programs for the systematic investigation of light kaonic nuclei, from $\bar K N$ ($Λ(1405)$) to $\bar K NNNN$. In the new experiment approved as J-PARC E80, we will measure the $\bar K NNN$ ($A=3$) system as a first step toward a comprehensive study.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2020

Observation of a $\bar{K}NN$ bound state in the $^3{\rm He} (K^-, Λp)n$ reaction

We have performed an exclusive measurement of the $K^{-}+\! ~^{3}{\rm He} \to Λpn$ reaction at an incident kaon momentum of $1\ {\rm GeV}/c$.In the $Λp$ invariant mass spectrum, a clear peak was observed below the mass threshold of $\bar{K}\!+\!N\!+\!N$, as a signal of the kaonic nuclear bound state, $\bar{K}NN$.The binding energy, decay width, and $S$-wave Gaussian reaction form-factor of this state were observed to be $B_{K} = 42\pm3({\rm stat.})^{+3}_{-4}({\rm syst.})\ {\rm MeV}$, $Γ_{K} = 100\pm7({\rm stat.})^{+19}_{-9}({\rm syst.})\ {\rm MeV}$, and $Q_{K} = 383\pm11({\rm stat.})^{+4}_{-1}({\rm syst.})\ {\rm MeV}/c$, respectively. The total production cross-section of $\bar{K}NN$, determined by its $Λp$ decay mode, was $σ^{tot}_{K} \cdot BR_{Λp} = 9.3\pm0.8({\rm stat.})^{+1.4}_{-1.0}({\rm syst.})\ μ{\rm b}$.We estimated the branching ratio of the $\bar{K}NN$ state to the $Λp$ and $Σ^{0}p$ decay modes as $BR_{Λp}/BR_{Σ^{0}p} \sim 1.7$, by assuming that the physical processes leading to the $ΣN\!N$ final states are analogous to those of $Λpn$.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2020

A two-neutron halo is unveiled in $^{29}$F

We report the measurement of reaction cross sections ($σ_R^{\rm ex}$) of $^{27,29}$F with a carbon target at RIKEN. The unexpectedly large $σ_R^{\rm ex}$ and derived matter radius identify $^{29}$F as the heaviest two-neutron Borromean halo to date. The halo is attributed to neutrons occupying the $2p_{3/2}$ orbital, thereby vanishing the shell closure associated with the neutron number $N = 20$. The results are explained by state-of-the-art shell model calculations. Coupled-cluster computations based on effective field theories of the strong nuclear force describe the matter radius of $^{27}$F but are challenged for $^{29}$F.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2019

Swelling of doubly magic $^{48}$Ca core in Ca isotopes beyond $N=28$

Interaction cross sections for $^{42\textrm{-}51}$Ca on a carbon target at 280 MeV/nucleon have been measured for the first time. The neutron number dependence of derived root-mean-square matter radii shows a significant increase beyond the neutron magic number $N=28$. Furthermore, this enhancement of matter radii is much larger than that of the previously measured charge radii, indicating a novel growth in neutron skin thickness. A simple examination based on the Fermi-type distribution, and the Mean-Field calculations point out that this anomalous enhancement of the nuclear size beyond $N=28$ results from an enlargement of the core by a sudden increase in the surface diffuseness of the neutron density distribution, which implies the swelling of the bare $^{48}$Ca core in Ca isotopes beyond $N=28$.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2019

Write-ups for workshop on the project for the hadron experimental facility of J-PARC, Partial collection of LOIs at the extended hadron hall and the related topics

This write-up document is a summary of International workshop on the project for the extended hadron experimental facility which was held from March 26 to 28, 2018 at KEK Tokai Campus. This document is a collection of Letter Of Intents (LOIs) related to the proposed beam lines in the extended hadron experimental facility at J-PARC.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2018

"$\mathbf{{\textit K^-}{\textit p}{\textit p}}$", a ${\overline{K}}$-Meson Nuclear Bound State, Observed in $^{3}{\rm He}({K^-}, Λ p)n$ Reactions

We observed a distinct peak in the $Λp$ invariant mass spectrum of $^{3}{\rm He}(K^-, \, Λp)n$, well below the mass threshold of $m_K + 2 m_p$. By selecting a relatively large momentum-transfer region $q = 350 \sim 650$ MeV/$c$, one can clearly separate the peak from the quasi-free process, $\overline{K}N \rightarrow \overline{K}N$ followed by the non-resonant absorption by the two spectator-nucleons $\overline{K}NN \rightarrow ΛN $. We found that the simplest fit to the observed peak gives us a Breit-Wigner pole position at $B_{\rm {\it Kpp}} = 47 \pm 3 \, (stat.) \,^{+3}_{-6} \,(sys.)$ MeV having a width $Γ_{\rm {\it Kpp}} = 115 \pm 7 \, (stat.) \,^{+10}_{-9} \,(sys.)$ MeV, and the $S$-wave Gaussian reaction form-factor parameter $Q_{\rm {\it Kpp}} = 381 \pm 14 \, (stat.)\,^{+57}_{-0} \,(sys.)$ MeV/$c$, as a new form of the nuclear bound system with strangeness -- "$K^-pp$".

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2018

Spectroscopy of pionic atoms in $\mathbf{{}^{122}{\textbf Sn}({\textit d},{}^3{\textbf He})}$ reaction and angular dependence of the formation cross sections

We observed the atomic $1s$ and $2p$ states of $π^-$ bound to ${}^{121}{\rm Sn}$ nuclei as distinct peak structures in the missing mass spectra of the ${}^{122}{\rm Sn}(d,{}^3{\rm He})$ nuclear reaction. A very intense deuteron beam and a spectrometer with a large angular acceptance let us achieve potential of discovery, which includes capability of determining the angle-dependent cross sections with high statistics. The $2p$ state in a Sn nucleus was observed for the first time. The binding energies and widths of the pionic states are determined and found to be consistent with previous experimental results of other Sn isotopes. The spectrum is measured at finite reaction angles for the first time. The formation cross sections at the reaction angles between 0 and $2^\circ$ are determined. The observed reaction-angle dependence of each state is reproduced by theoretical calculations. However, the quantitative comparison with our high-precision data reveals a significant discrepancy between the measured and calculated formation cross sections of the pionic $1s$ state.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2018

Missing-mass spectroscopy of the ${}^{12}{\rm C}(p,d)$ reaction near the $η^\prime$-meson production threshold

Excitation-energy spectra of $^{11}$C nuclei near the $η^\prime$-meson production threshold have been measured by missing-mass spectroscopy using the $^{12}$C($p$,$d$) reaction. A carbon target has been irradiated with a 2.5 GeV proton beam supplied by the synchrotron SIS-18 at GSI to produce $η^\prime$ meson bound states in $^{11}$C nuclei. Deuterons emitted at $0^\circ$ in the reaction have been momentum-analyzed by the fragment separator (FRS) used as a high-resolution spectrometer. No distinct structure due to the formation of $η^\prime$-mesic states is observed although a high statistical sensitivity is achieved in the experimental spectra. Upper limits on the formation cross sections of $η^\prime$-mesic states are determined, and thereby a constraint imposed on the $η^\prime$-nucleus interaction is discussed.

nucl-ex↗