$\bar K^*$ meson in nuclear matter

Abstract

The properties of the $\bar K^*$ meson in dense matter are studied using a unitary approach in coupled channels within the framework of the local hidden gauge formalism. We obtain the $\bar K^*$ spectral function in the nuclear medium and we found that the $\bar K^*$ develops an in-medium width up to five times bigger than in free space. We also estimate the transparency ratio of the $\gamma A \to K^+ K^{*-} A^\prime$ reaction, which we propose as a feasible experimental scenario to detect in-medium modifications of the $\bar K^*$ meson.