Spectroscopy and strong decays of baryons

A quark model, suggested by quantum chromodynamics, is used to calculate the entire spectrum of baryons, containing u, d, s, c, and b quarks. A short-range Coulomb potential is used, together with a long-range linear potential, modified by a harmonic oscillator potential. This combination leads to a good description of the masses of both positive and negative parity baryons, based on the five quark masses and four additional parameters related to the chosen potential. The quark pair creation model of Le Yaouanc et al. is then used to study the decay processes N, Delta yielding N pi and Lambda, Sigma yielding NK(-). The pair creation strength gamma is replaced by k raised to the gamma. Beside the meson radius, this is the only parameter of the model. The result is in good agreement with experimental data and confirms the assignment of baryons in the mass calculation.