A direct probe of $Λ$ potential in nuclear medium

Abstract

Using the Liège intranuclear-cascade model together with the ablation model ABLA, an investigation is conducted into the effects of $Λ$ potential in $Λ$-nucleus and $Λ$-hypernucleus-nucleus collisions across various beam energies. The findings show that the angle and transverse-momentum distributions of scattered $Λ$ hyperon, the scattering cross section of the $Λ$ hyperon in $Λ$-nucleus collisions as well as the rapidity distribution of $Λ$ hyperon in $Λ$-hypernucleus-nucleus collisions are significantly influenced by the strength of the $Λ$ potential in these scattering reactions across various beam energies. These demonstrations, unhindered by the uncertainties of $Λ$ and hypernuclei productions in nuclear medium, allow for a direct investigation of the $Λ$ potential, especially its momentum dependence. The criticality of probing the $Λ$ potential is closely associated with the resolution of the "hyperon puzzle" in neutron stars.