On the production and decay of strangeness S = -2 hypernuclei

We examine the production and decay mechanisms of doubly strange S = -2 hypernuclei, focusing on reactions induced by kaons. The production of {A figure is presented} and {A figure is presented}^* (1530) hyperons in (K^-, K⁺) reactions on nuclear targets is considered, including the possibility of observably narrow {A figure is presented} single-particle bound states. We present estimates of the baryon (n, p, Λ) decay widths of {A figure is presented} states, based on calculated {A figure is presented}N → ΛΛ mixing amplitudes, which indicate that such excitations could be considerably narrower in light nuclei than the estimated {A figure is presented} decay width of 5-10 MeV in nuclear matter.