Finite temperature effects on the antikaon optical potential

Abstract

By solving the Bethe-Goldstone equation, we have obtained the $\bar{K}$ optical potential from the $\bar{K}N$ effective interaction in nuclear matter at T=0. We have extended the model by incorporating finite temperature effects in order to adapt our calculations to the experimental conditions in heavy-ion collisions. In the rank of densities ($0-2\rho_0$), the finite temperature $\bar{K}$ optical potential shows a smooth behaviour if we compare it to the T=0 outcome. Our model has also been applied to the study of the ratio between $K^+$ and $K^-$ produced at GSI with $T$ around 70 MeV. Our results point at the necessity of introducing an attractive $\bar{K}$ optical potential.