High-density kaonic-proton matter (KPM) composed of Lambda* equiv K-p multiplets and its astrophysical connections

Abstract

We propose and examine a new high-density composite of $\Lambda^* \equiv K^-p = (s \bar{u}) \otimes (uud)$, which may be called {\it Kaonic Proton Matter (KPM)}, or simply, {\it $\Lambda^* $-Matter}, where substantial shrinkage of baryonic bound systems originating from the strong attraction of the $(\bar{K}N)^{I=0}$ interaction takes place, providing a ground-state neutral baryonic system with a huge energy gap. The mass of an ensemble of $(K^-p)_m$, where $m$, the number of the $K^-p$ pair, is larger than $m \approx 10$, is predicted to drop down below its corresponding neutron ensemble, $(n)_m$, since the attractive interaction is further increased by the Heitler-London type molecular covalency, as well as by chiral symmetry restoration of the QCD vacuum. Since the seed clusters ($K^-p$, $K^-pp$ and $K^-K^-pp$) are short-lived, the formation of such a stabilized relic ensemble, $(K^-p)_m$, may be conceived during the Big-Bang Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP) period in the early universe before the hadronization and $quark$-$anti$-$quark$ annihilation proceed. At the final stage of baryogenesis a substantial amount of primordial ($\bar{u},\bar{d}$)'s are transferred and captured into {\it KPM}, where the anti-quarks find places to survive forever. The expected {\it KPM} state may be {\it cold, dense and neutral $\bar{q} q$-hybrid ({\it Quark Gluon Bound (QGB)}) states, $[s(\bar{u} \otimes u) ud]_m$,} to which the relic of the disappearing anti-quarks plays an essential role as hidden components. The {\it KPM} may also be produced during the formation and decay of neutron stars.