Abstract: We study the weak decay of the Lambda(b) into J/psi K Xi. and J/psi eta Lambda states, and relate these processes to the Lambda(b) -> J/psi(K) over barN decay mode. The elementary weak transition at the quark level proceeds via the creation of a J/psi meson and an excited sud system with I = 0, which upon hadronization leads to (K) over barN or eta Lambda pairs. These states undergo final-state interaction in coupled channels and produce a final meson-baryon pair. The K. state only occurs via rescattering, hence making the Lambda(b) -> J/psi K Xi process very sensitive to the details of the meson-baryon interaction in strangeness S = -1 and isospin I = 0. We show that the corresponding invariant mass distribution is dominated by the next-to-leading-order terms of the chiral interaction. The I = 0 selectivity of this decay, and its large sensitivity to the higher-order terms, makes its measurement very useful and complementary to the K- p -> K Xi cross section data. The rates of the Lambda(b) -> J/psi K Xi and Lambda(b) -> J/psi eta Lambda invariant mass distributions are sizable compared to those of the Lambda(b) -> J/psi(K) over barN decay, which is measured experimentally, and thus, we provide arguments for an experimental determination of these decay modes that will help us understand better the chiral dynamics at higher energies.

Abstract: A model for S-wave eta pi scattering is proposed which could be realistic in an energy range from threshold up to above 1 GeV, where inelasticity is dominated by the K (K) over bar channel. The T-matrix, satisfying two-channel unitarity, is given in a form which matches the chiral expansion results at order p(4) exactly for the eta pi -> eta pi, eta pi -> K (K) over bar amplitudes and approximately for K (K) over bar -> K (K) over bar. It contains six phenomenological parameters. Asymptotic conditions are imposed which ensure a minimal solution of the Muskhelishvili-Omnes problem, thus allowing one to compute the eta pi and K (K) over bar form factor matrix elements of the I = 1 scalar current from the T-matrix. The phenomenological parameters are determined such as to reproduce the experimental properties of the a(0)(980), a(0)(1450) resonances, as well as the chiral results of the eta pi and K (K) over bar scalar radii, which are predicted to be remarkably small at O(p(4)). This T-matrix model could be used for a unified treatment of the eta pi final-state interaction problem in processes such as eta ' -> eta pi pi, phi -> eta pi gamma or the eta pi initial-state interaction in eta -> 3 pi.

Abstract: This paper provides results for the spectra of triply charmed and bottom baryons based on a constituent-quark model approach. We take advantage of the assumption that potential models are expected to describe triply heavy baryons to a similar degree of accuracy as the successful results obtained in the charmonium and bottomonium sectors. The high precision calculation of the ground state and positive and negative parity excited states recently reported by nonperturbative lattice QCD provides us with a unique opportunity to confront model predictions with the data. This comparison may also help to build a bridge between two difficult to reconcile lattice QCD results, namely, the lattice SU(3) QCD static three-quark potential and the recent results of nonperturbative lattice QCD for the triply heavy baryon spectra.