Super strong nuclear force caused by migrating Κ mesons - Revival of the Heitler-London-Heisenberg scheme in kaonic nuclear clusters

Abstract

We have studied the structure of Κ-pp comprehensively by solving this three-body system in a variational method, starting from the Ansatz that the Λ(1405) resonance (≡ Λ*) is a Κ-p bound state. The structure of Κ-pp reveals a molecular feature, namely, the Κ- in Λ* as an "atomic center" plays a key role in producing strong covalent bonding with the other proton. We point out that strongly bound Κ nuclear systems are formed by "super strong" nuclear force due to migrating real bosonic particles Κ a la Heitler-London-Heisenberg, whereas the normal nuclear force is caused by mediating virtual mesons. We have shown that the elementary process, p + p → Κ+ + Λ* + p, which occurs in a short impact parameter and with a large momentum transfer, leads to unusually large self-trapping of Λ* by the involved proton, since the Λ*-p system exists as a compact doorway state propagating to Κ-pp.