Generalised mass formula for non-strange, strange and multiply-strange nuclear systems

Abstract

A simultaneous description of non-strange nuclei, hypernuclei and multiply-strange nuclear systems is provided by a single mass formula which is shown to be useful for estimating binding energies of nuclear systems over a wide mass range, including the light mass nuclei. It not only provides a good fit to the existing experimental data on hyperon-separation energies but also reproduces results of the relativistic mean field (RMF) calculations. In addition, it can provide the Lambda($\Lambda$), Cascade-0($\Xi^0$) and Cascade-minus ($\Xi^-$) drip lines. The existence of a range of bound pure-hyperonic systems without any neutron and proton is suggested among which $6\Lambda$, $9\Xi^0\Xi^0$, $10\Xi^-\Xi^-$, $1\Lambda7\Xi^0$, $1\Lambda 8\Xi^-$, $1\Xi^09 \Xi^-$, $1\Xi^- 8\Xi^0$ and $2\Lambda+3\Xi^0+3\Xi^-$ represent the lightest species. In agreement with the RMF predictions, this generalized mass formula also predicts the nucleus $_{2\Xi^0 2\Lambda}{^8He}$ to be bound. An exotic $_{2\Xi^0 2\Xi^- 2\Lambda}{^{10}n}$ nucleus is also found to be bound. This new mass formula can be used in astrophysics for strange stellar objects, as well as in high energy physics for estimating the strangeness production yield in nucleus-nucleus or, nucleon-nucleon collisions.