Abstract: We study the interaction of vector mesons with the octet of stable baryons in the framework of the local hidden gauge formalism using a coupled-channels unitary approach. We examine the scattering amplitudes and their poles, which can be associated to known J(P) = 1/2(-), 3/2(-) baryon resonances, in some cases, or give predictions in other ones. The formalism employed produces doublets of degenerate J(P) = 1/2(-), 3/2(-) states, a pattern which is observed experimentally in several cases. The findings of this work should also be useful to guide present experimental programs searching for new resonances, in particular in the strange sector where the current information is very poor.

Abstract: The decay of the N = 83 nucleus Cd-131 has been studied at the RIBF facility at the RIKEN Nishina Center. The main purpose of the study was to identify the position of the and proton-hole states and the energies of core-excited configurations in the semi-magic nucleus In-131. From the radiation emitted following the decay, a level scheme of In-131 was established and the feeding to each excited state determined. Similarities between the single-particle transitions observed in the decays of the N = 83 isotones In-132 and Cd-131 are discussed. Finally the excitation energies of several core-excited configurations in In-131 are compared to QRPA and shell-model calculations.

Abstract: We determine the helicity amplitudes A(1/2) and radiative decay widths in the transition Lambda(1670) -> gamma Y (Y = Lambda or Sigma(0)). The Lambda(1670) is treated as a dynamically generated resonance in meson-baryon chiral dynamics. We obtain the radiative decay widths of the Lambda(1670) to gamma Lambda as 2 +/- 1 keV and to -gamma Sigma(0) as 120 +/- 50 keV. Also, the Q(2)-dependence of the helicity amplitudes A(1/2) is calculated. We find that the K Xi component in the Lambda(1670) structure, mainly responsible for the dynamical generation of this resonance, is also responsible for the significant suppression of the decay ratio Gamma(gamma A)/Gamma(gamma Sigma 0). A measurement of the ratio would, thus, provide direct access to the nature of the Lambda(1670). To compare the result for the Lambda(1670), we calculate the helicity amplitudes Lambda(1/2) for the two states of the Lambda(1405). Also, the analytic continuation of Feynman parameterized integrals of more complicated loop amplitudes to the complex plane is developed which allows for an internally consistent evaluation of A(1/2).

Abstract: We evaluate the polarization observables I-S and I-C for the reaction gamma p -> pi(0)eta p, using a chiral unitary framework developed earlier. The I-S and I-C observables have been recently measured for the first time by the CBELSA/TAPS Collaboration. The theoretical predictions of I-S and I-C, given for altogether 18 angle-dependent functions, are in good agreement with the measurements. Also, the asymmetry d Sigma/dcos theta evaluated here agrees with the data. We show the importance of the Delta(1700) D-33-resonance and its S-wave decay into eta Delta(1232). The result can be considered as a further confirmation of the dynamical nature of this resonance. At the highest energies, deviations of the predictions from the data start to become noticeable, which leaves room for additional processes and resonances such as a Delta(1940) D-33. We also point out how to further improve the calculation.

Abstract: Lifetimes of negative-parity states have been determined in the neutron deficient semi-magic (N = 50) nucleus Rh-95. The fusion-evaporation reaction Ni-58(Ca-40, 3p) was used to populate high-spin states in Rh-95 at the Grand Accelerateur National d'Ions Lourds (GANIL) accelerator facility. The results were obtained using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) based on the Doppler broadened line shapes produced during the slowing down process of the residual nuclei in a thick 6 mg/cm(2) metallic target. B(M1) and B(E2) reduced transition strengths are compared with predictions from large-scale shell-model calculations. state-of-the-art theory. Remarkably, the structural features up to moderate angular momentum of nuclei immediately below the N = Z = 50 shell closures can be described with high accuracy in a very simple way by shell-model calculations including only the g(9/2) and p(1/2) subshells. Of special interest is the neutron-proton pair coupling scheme which is expected to appear in the heaviest N=Z nuclei [1,2] and the seniority structure of the N = 50 isotones [3-7]. However, multiple core-excited states have been observed in the semi-magic nuclei of the Sn-100 region [8-10]. The theoretical study of those states is a challenging task, which requires a significantly larger model space for their interpretation. Transition probabilities between nuclear states provide important constraints for theoretical modelling of the structure of the nuclei of interest. Our previous lifetime study of the semimagic (N = 50) nucleus Ru-94 [ 11,12] provided information on the electromagnetic decay properties of neutron-core excited states. We now address lifetime measurements in its closest, more neutron deficient, isotone Rh-95 using the same DSAM technique. The experimental results have been interpreted within the framework of large-scale shell-model (LSSM) calculations.