Abstract: We study the properties of (K) over bar* mesons in nuclear matter using a unitary approach in coupled channels within the framework of the local hidden gauge formalism and incorporating the (K) over bar pi decay channel in matter. The in-medium (K) over bar *N interaction accounts for Pauli blocking effects and incorporates the (K) over bar* self-energy in a self-consistent manner. We also obtain the (K) over bar* (off-shell) spectral function and analyze its behavior at finite density and momentum. At a normal nuclear matter density, the (K) over bar* meson feels a moderately attractive potential, while the (K) over bar* width becomes five times larger than in free space. We estimate the transparency ratio of the gamma A -> K+K*(-) A` reaction, which we propose as a feasible scenario at the present facilities to detect changes in the properties of the (K) over bar* meson in nuclear medium.

Abstract: We study the photoproduction of phi mesons in deuteron, paying attention to the modification of the cross-section from bound protons to the free ones. For this purpose we take into account Fermi motion in single scattering and rescattering of phi to account for phi absorption on a second nucleon as well as the rescattering of the proton on the neutron. We find that the contribution of the double scattering for phi is much smaller than the typical cross-section of gamma p -> phi p in free space, which implies a very small screening of the phi production in deuteron. The contribution from the proton rescattering, on the other hand, is found to be not negligible compared to the cross-section of gamma p -> phi p in free space, and leads to a moderate reduction of the phi photoproduction cross-section on a deuteron at forward angles if the LEPS set-up is taken into account. The Fermi motion allows contribution of the single scattering in regions forbidden by phase-space in the free case. In particular, we find that for momentum transfer squared close to the maximum value, the Fermi motion changes drastically the shape of d sigma/dt, to the point that the ratio of this cross-section to the free one becomes very sensitive to the precise value of t chosen, or the size of the bin used in an experimental analysis. Hence, this particular region of t does not seem to be the most indicated to find effects of a possible phi absorption in the deuteron. This reaction is studied theoretically as a function of t and the results are contrasted with recent experiments at LEPS and Jefferson Lab. The effect of the experimental angular cuts at LEPS is also discussed, providing guidelines for future experimental analyses of the reaction.

Abstract: We study the meson-baryon interaction with J(P) = 1/2 using the hidden-gauge Lagrangians and mixing pseudoscalar meson-baryon with the vector meson-baryon states in a coupled channels scheme with pi N, eta N, K Lambda, K Sigma, rho N, and pi Delta (d wave). We fit the subtraction constants of each channel to the S-11 partial wave amplitude of the pi N scattering data extracted from the partial wave analysis of the George Washington group. We find two poles that we associate to the N*(1535) and the N*(1650) resonances, with negative subtraction constants of natural size, and compare the results with empirical determinations of these pole positions. We calculate the branching ratios for the different channels of each resonance and we find a good agreement with the experimental data. The cross section for the pi(-)p -> eta n scattering is also evaluated and compared with experiment.

Abstract: We study the Lambda(b) -> J/psi K-0 Lambda reaction considering both the K-0 Lambda interaction with its coupled channels and the J/psi Lambda interaction. The latter is described by taking into account the fact that there are predictions for a hidden-charm state with strangeness that couples to J/psi Lambda By using the coupling of the resonance to J/psi Lambda from these predictions, we show that a neat peak can be observed in the J/psi Lambda invariant mass distribution, rather stable under changes of unknown magnitudes. In some cases, one finds a dip structure associated to that state, but a signal of the state shows up in the J/psi Lambda spectrum.

Abstract: We study the J/Psi ->phi K+ K- decay, looking for differences in the production rates of K+K- or K-0 K-(0) in the region of 1700-1800 MeV, where two resonances appear dynamically generated from the vector-vector interaction. Two resonances are known experimentally in that region, the f(0)(1710) and a new resonance reported by the BABAR and BESIII collaborations. The K K should be produced with I = 0 in that reaction, but due to the different K*(0) and K*(+) masses some isospin violation appears. Yet, due to the large width of the K*, the violation obtained is very small and the rates of K+K- or K-0 K-0 production are equal within 5%. However, we also find that due to the step needed to convert two vectors into K K, a shape can appear in the K K mass distribution that can mimic the a0 production around the K* K* threshold, and is simply a threshold effect.