Search for the Kaonic Nuclear State, K- p p, in the exclusive p p ---> p Lambda K_s16 channel

Abstract

We search for the most basic kaonic nuclear state, K^-pp, by studying the exclusive p_s16p->K^_s16_s16@L_s16p process. Very recently data analysis of the DISTO experiment taken at T_p=2.85GeV found a broad peak component in the missing-mass @DM(K^_s16) and the @ Lp invariant-mass M(@Lp) spectra, which was enhanced by large-angle emission of protons, and thus assigned to the p_s16p->X_s16K^_s16 two-body reaction where X stands for K^-pp. We are planning to study the same reaction making use of the SIS-18 synchrotron and th e ~4@p acceptance FOPI apparatus at the GSI, Darmstadt, Germany at higher beam energies. The experiment is planned to take place in 2009.