Role of Meson-Meson Correlation Effects in the $\text{NNb}\to \rho \pi$ Annihilation Process

Abstract

Meson-meson correlation effects are investigated in the $\text{NNb}\to \rho \pi$ annihilation process using a realistic meson-exchange model for the $\rho \pi$ interaction determined previously, together with a conventional baryon-exchange transition model and a consistent $\text{NNb}$ interaction. For $\text{NNb}$ $S$-states, they have a drastic effect and bring the relative (${}^1{S}_0/{}^3{S}_1$) branching ratio up to the experimental value, thus resolving the long-standing so-called ``$\rho \pi$'' puzzle. For $\text{NNb}$ $P$-states, their effect is of minor importance, and discrepancies remain for those ratios involving annihilation from the $\text{NNb}({}^3{P}_J)$ state to $\rho \pi (l^{\prime }=2)$.

Comments: REVTEX, 10 pages, 4 figures (uuencoded gzipped PostScript) included