Future directions in searching for eta-mesic nuclei

Future directions in searching for eta-mesic nuclei: Q. Haider, Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. 10458, U.S.A. and L.C. Liu, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, N.M 87545, U.S.A. Eta-mesic nucleus or the quasibound nuclear state of an eta (η) meson in a nucleus is caused by strong-interaction force alone. This new type of nuclear species, which extends the landscape of nuclear physics, has been extensively studied since its prediction in 1986. In experimental search for η-mesic nucleus, transfer reactions have been frequently employed. One such reaction has led to the observation of the η-mesic nucleus ²⁵_{Mg η} . However, searching quasibound η-nucleus states in lighter nuclei such as ³He, ⁴He, and ¹¹B has not yet yielded positive results. Searching η-mesic nuclei in medium-mass nuclear systems other than ²⁵Mg is highly valuable. In view of the aforementioned experimental results, we suggest searching for more η-mesic nuclei in target nuclei having a mass number A >= 12 .

Bronx, N.Y. 10458.