Nuclear medium effects on the $\bar K^*$ meson

Abstract

The $\bar K^*$ meson in dense matter is analyzed by means of a unitary approach in coupled channels based on the local hidden gauge formalism. The $\bar K^*$ self-energy and the corresponding $\bar K^*$ spectral function in the nuclear medium are obtained. We observe that the $\bar K^*$ develops a width in matter 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. This ratio is an excellent tool to detect experimentally modifications of the $\bar K^*$ meson in dense matter.