How strange a non-strange heavy baryon?

Abstract

We give some general arguments in favor of the large magnitude of matrix elements of an operator associated with nonvalence quarks in heavy hadrons. We estimate a strange matrix element for \Lambda_b baryon whose valence content is b, u, d quarks. We find a noticeable contribution of the strange quark into the heavy baryon mass on the level 200-300 MeV. The arguments are based on the QCD sum rules and low energy theorems. The physical picture behind of the phenomenon is somewhat similar to the one associated with the large strange content of the nucleon where matrix element. We discuss some possible applications of the obtained result.

Comments: A final version to appear in Phys. Lett. B. New section on the violation of the Zweig's rule is added