K^{-}p Correlation Function from High-Energy Nuclear Collisions and Chiral SU(3) Dynamics

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Particle Physics
• Quantum Chromodynamics

Background:

• Understanding the K-bar N interaction is crucial for nuclear physics.
• Previous models did not fully incorporate coupled-channel effects and potentials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the two-particle momentum correlation function of K-p pairs.
• To incorporate coupled-channel effects, Coulomb potential, and threshold energy differences for the first time.
• To analyze the K-bar N interaction within a realistic potential framework.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a K-bar N-πΣ-πΛ coupled-channel framework.
• Employing realistic potentials derived from chiral SU(3) dynamics.
• Fitting scattering data and analyzing correlation functions with variable source sizes.

Main Results:

• The K-bar N-πΣ-πΛ coupled-channel framework accurately reproduces the measured K-p momentum correlation function.
• Variations in source size and the relative weight of πΣ and K-bar N source functions are essential for agreement.
• The study demonstrates the importance of including all coupled channels and potentials.

Conclusions:

• The K-bar N interaction is well-described by the chiral SU(3) dynamics and coupled-channel approach.
• Investigating the source size dependence of the K-p correlation function provides constraints on the K-bar N interaction.
• This work offers a comprehensive treatment of factors influencing K-p pair correlations in nuclear collisions.