Kaon-Nucleus Interaction Studied through the In-Flight (K-,N) Reaction

Abstract

K-nucleus interaction by the 12 C(K � ,N ) reaction. Missing mass spectra were derived from the momenta of both neutrons and protons from the reaction. An appreciable strength was observed below the ¯ K-nucleus threshold, which indicates that the ¯ K-nuclear potential is strongly attractive. The missing mass spectra are compared with the results of theoretical calculations. It is found that a potential depth of approximately �190 MeV best reproduces the spectrum of the 12 C(K � ,n ) reaction and approximately �160 MeV best reproduces that of the 12 C(K � ,p ) reaction. Our data show that the ¯ K-nucleus potential is sufficiently deep to realize kaon condensation in the core of neutron stars.