The Weak $\Lambda \Lambda K^0$ Interaction

Abstract

We calculate the leading contribution to the weak $\Lambda \Lambda K$ coupling in heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory, including the SU(3) breaking terms arising at one-loop. This coupling gives the leading one-boson exchange amplitude for the process $\Lambda\Lambda\to\Lambda n$ and is an important component in understanding the decay of $\Lambda\Lambda$-hypernuclei. We find the S-wave and P-wave amplitudes to be stable under one-loop corrections, but the associated errors become large. We discuss the theoretical errors and potential effects of higher order terms.