ON THE SCATTERING LENGTH OF THE K-d SYSTEM

Abstract

Multiple-scattering approximations to Faddeev calculations of the K-d scattering length are reviewed and compared with published [Formula: see text] fully reactive Faddeev calculations. A new multiple-scattering approximation which goes beyond the 'fixed-center' assumption for the nucleons is proposed, aiming at accuracies of 5–10%. A precise value of the K-d scattering length from the measurement of the K-d 1s atomic level shift and width, planned by the DEAR/SIDDHARTA collaboration, plus a precise value for the K-p scattering length by improving the K-p atom measurements, are essential for extracting the K-n scattering length, for resolving persistent puzzles in low-energy [Formula: see text] phenomenology and for extrapolating into [Formula: see text]-nuclear systems.