Dynamics of kaonic nuclei in an improved quark mass density-dependent model

Abstract

The improved quark mass density-dependent model, which is able to provide a good description for the properties of both finite nuclei and bulk nuclear matter, is employed to investigate the properties of several possible light kaonic nuclei. The current approach is based on an extended version of the relativistic mean-field theory, where the kaon-nucleon and nucleon-nucleon interactions are treated on the same footing. In this work, the single K--nuclear states in the possible bubble nuclei are studied, with concentration on the experimentally accessible light nuclei. The K- binding energies, the decay widths, single-particle spectra, and nuclear and K- density distributions are evaluated. The calculations indicate that, when the K- meson is embedded in nuclei with speculated "bubble" structure, the depleted central nuclear density might be modified, and in certain cases, the bubble structure may even disappear. Furthermore, it is found that the properties of the kaonic nuclei are sensitive to the strength of the antikaon optical potential at saturation density.