QCD and e+e- --> Baryon + anti-Baryon

Abstract

We discuss the QCD constraints on e+e- --> baryon-anti-baryon close to threshold, in light of the puzzling experimental data which indicate that close to threshold sigma (e+e- --> n n-bar) > sigma (e+e- --> p p-bar). We focus on the process e+e- --> Delta Delta-bar, which is particularly simple from the theoretical point of view. In this case it is possible to make exact QCD predictions for the relative yields of the four members of the Delta multiplet, modulo one crucial dynamical assumption.

Comments: extended discussion of quark loop suppression in baryons in the large-N_c limit; updated refs