The $bar{K} N rightarrow K Xi$ reaction in coupled channel chiral models up to next-to-leading order

We study the meson-baryon interaction in S-wave in the strangeness S=-1 sector using a chiral unitary approach based on a next-to-leading order chiral SU(3) Lagrangian. We fit our model to the large set of experimental data in different two-body channels. We pay particular attention to the $bar{K} N rightarrow K Xi$ reaction, where the effect of the next-to-leading order terms in the Lagrangian are sufficiently large to be observed, since at tree level the cross section of this reaction is zero. For these channels we improve our approach by phenomenologically taking into account effects of the high spin hyperonic resonances.

Effects of the next-to-leading order terms in the chiral SU(3) Lagrangian on the strangeness -1 s-wave meson-baryon interactions

The meson-baryon interactions in s-wave in the strangeness S=-1 sector are studied using a chiral unitarity approach based on the next-to-leading order chiral SU(3) Lagrangian. The model is fitted to the large set of experimental data in different two-body channels. Particular attention is paid to the $Xi$ hyperon production reaction, $bar{K} N rightarrow K Xi$, where the effect of the next-to-leading order terms in the Lagrangian play a crucial role, since the cross section of this reaction at tree level is zero.

Explicit Model Realizing Parton-Hadron Duality

We present a model that realizes both resonance-Regge (Veneziano) and parton-hadron (Bloom-Gilman) duality. We first review the features of the Veneziano model and we discuss how parton-hadron duality appears in the Bloom-Gilman model. Then we review limitations of the Veneziano model, namely that the zero-width resonances in the Veneziano model violate unitarity and Mandelstam analyticity. We discuss how such problems are alleviated in models that construct dual amplitudes with Mandelstam analyticity (so-called DAMA models). We then introduce a modified DAMA model, and we discuss its properties. We present a pedagogical model for dual amplitudes and we construct the nucleon structure function F2(x,Q2). We explicitly show that the resulting structure function realizes both Veneziano and Bloom-Gilman duality.

Fluid Dynamical Prediction of Changed v1-flow at LHC

Substantial collective flow is observed in collisions between Lead nuclei at LHC as evidenced by the azimuthal correlations in the transverse momentum distributions of the produced particles. Our calculations indicate that the Global v1-flow, which at RHIC peaked at negative rapidities (named as 3rd flow component or anti-flow), now at LHC is going to turn toward forward rapidities (to the same side and direction as the projectile residue). Potentially this can provide a sensitive barometer to estimate the pressure and transport properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Our calculations also take into account the initial state Center of Mass rapidity fluctuations, and demonstrate that these are crucial for v1 simulations. In order to better study the transverse momentum flow dependence we suggest a new symmetrized v1S flow component; and we also propose a new method to disentangle Global v1 flow from the contribution generated by the random fluctuations in the initial state. This will enhance the possibilities of studying the collective Global v1 flow both at the STAR Beam Energy Scan program and at LHC.

Dual-Regge Approach to High-Energy, Low-Mass Diffraction Dissociation

A dual-Regge model with a nonlinear proton Regge trajectory in the missing mass channel, describing the experimental data on low-mass single diffraction dissociation, is constructed. Predictions for the LHC energies are given.

Experimental status of deeply bound kaonic states in nuclei

We review recent claims of the existence of deeply bound kaonic states in nuclei. Also we study in details the (K-,p) reaction on C12 with 1 GeV/c momentum kaon beam, based on which a deep kaon nucleus optical potential was claimed in [1]. In our Monte Carlo simulation of this reaction we include not only the quasi-elastic K- p scattering, as in [1], but also K- absorption by one and two nucleons followed by the decay of the hyperon in pi N, which can also produce strength in the region of interest. The final state interactions in terms of multiple scattering of the K-, p and all other primary particles on their way out of the nucleus is also considered. We will show that all these additional mechanisms allow us to explain the observed spectrum with a standard shallow kaon nucleus optical potential obtained in chiral models. [1] T. Kishimoto et al., Prog. Theor. Phys. 118, 181 (2007).

Matching Stages of Heavy Ion Collision Models

Heavy ion reactions and other collective dynamical processes are frequently described by different theoretical approaches for the different stages of the process, like initial equilibration stage, intermediate locally equilibrated fluid dynamical stage and final freeze-out stage. For the last stage the best known is the Cooper-Frye description used to generate the phase space distribution of emitted, non-interacting, particles from a fluid dynamical expansion/explosion, assuming a final ideal gas distribution, or (less frequently) an out of equilibrium distribution. In this work we do not want to replace the Cooper-Frye description, rather clarify the ways how to use it and how to choose the parameters of the distribution, eventually how to choose the form of the phase space distribution used in the Cooper-Frye formula. Moreover, the Cooper-Frye formula is used in connection with the freeze-out problem, while the discussion of transition between different stages of the collision is applicable to other transitions also. More recently hadronization and molecular dynamics models are matched to the end of a fluid dynamical stage to describe hadronization and freeze-out. The stages of the model description can be matched to each other on spacetime hypersurfaces (just like through the frequently used freeze-out hypersurface). This work presents a generalized description of how to match the stages of the description of a reaction to each other, extending the methodology used at freeze-out, in simple covariant form which is easily applicable in its simplest version for most applications.

Proton emission off nuclei induced by kaons in flight

We study the (K-,p) reaction on nuclei with a 1 GeV/c momentum kaon beam, paying a special attention at the region of emitted protons having kinetic energy above 600 MeV, which was used to claim a deeply attractive kaon nucleus optical potential. Our model describes the nuclear reaction in the framework of a local density approach and the calculations are performed following two different procedures: one is based on a many-body method using the Lindhard function and the other one is based on a Monte Carlo simulation. While both procedures coincide when it comes to consider the contribution of kaon quasi-elastic scattering, the simulation method offers more flexibility since it allows us to account for other processes which also contribute to the proton spectra, such as K- absorption by one and two nucleons producing hyperons. The simulation also considers final state interactions in terms of multiple scattering of the K-, p and all other primary and secondary particles on their way out of the nucleus, as well as the weak decay of the produced hyperons into (pi N). We find that this kaon in-flight reaction is not well suited to determine the kaon optical potential due, essentially, to the limited sensitivity of the cross section to its strength, but also to unavoidable uncertainties in the contribution from other processes. We also simulate the experimental requirement of having, together with the energetic proton, at least one charged particle detected in the decay counter surrounding the target, and find that the shape of the original cross section is appreciably distorted. We conclude that the new mechanisms, not considered in the analysis of the original experiment, allow us to explain the observed spectrum with the shallow kaon nucleus optical potential obtained in chiral models.

The s-wave charmed baryon resonances from a coupled-channel approach with heavy quark symmetry

We study charmed baryon resonances which are generated dynamically within a unitary meson-baryon coupled channel model that treats the heavy pseudoscalar and vector mesons on equal footing as required by heavy-quark symmetry. It is an extension of recent SU(4) models with t-channel vector meson exchanges to a SU(8) spin-flavor scheme, but differs considerably from the SU(4) approach in how the strong breaking of the flavor symmetry is implemented. Some of our dynamically generated states can be readily assigned to recently observed baryon resonances, while others do not have a straightforward identification and require the compilation of more data as well as an extension of the model to d-wave meson-baryon interactions and p-wave coupling in the neglected s- and u-channel diagrams. Of several novelties, we find that the Lambda_c(2595), which emerged as a ND quasi-bound state within the SU(4) approaches, becomes predominantly a ND* quasi-bound state in the present SU(8) scheme.

Critical review of [K- ppn] bound states

We make a thorough study of the process of three body kaon absorption in nuclei, in connection with a recent FINUDA experiment which claims the existence of a deeply bound kaonic state from the observation of a peak in the Lambda d invariant mass distribution following K- absorption on Li6. We show that the peak is naturally explained in terms of K- absorption from three nucleons leaving the rest as spectators. We can also reproduce all the other observables measured in the same experiment and used to support the hypothesis of the deeply bound kaon state. Our study also reveals interesting aspects of kaon absorption in nuclei, a process that must be understood in order to make progress in the search for K- deeply bound states in nuclei.