Possibility of a stable mesonic nucleus

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the theoretical stability of a nucleus composed solely of mesons, particularly neutral kaons. It is established that mesons, being bosons, are not subject to the Pauli exclusion principle, allowing them to occupy the lowest energy state. However, the presence of neutral kaons poses a challenge due to their oscillation into antikaons, which are their antiparticles, leading to instability. The consensus is that adding mesons increases the mass defect but ultimately contributes to the nucleus's instability rather than enhancing stability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of meson properties and behavior
  • Knowledge of the Pauli exclusion principle
  • Familiarity with weak force interactions
  • Basic concepts of nuclear binding energy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of neutral kaons and their decay mechanisms
  • Study the implications of the Pauli exclusion principle on particle interactions
  • Explore the residual nuclear force and its effects on meson interactions
  • Investigate theoretical models of mesonic nuclei and their stability criteria
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, nuclear physicists, and researchers interested in particle physics and the stability of exotic nuclear structures.

Garlic
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Hello everyone,
If a nucleus consisting solely of mesons has enough mesons in it, will it be stable?
Mesons are bosons, therefore (unlike baryons) they aren't effected by the pauli exclusion principle, so they all can acquire the lowest energy state.
In theory, if there are enough mesons, the mass defect becomes so high, that it is more favourable for the nucleus to not decay, and be stable (assumed the mesons are uncharged, don't decay via electromagnetic force and aren't their exact antiparticles)
The appropriate meson selection would be the neutral kaon, as it decays via the weak force.
So, if a nucleus has (only) enough neutral kaons in it, will it be stable?

Note: the problem with the neutral kaons is that they oscillate into antikaons, which are their antiparticles, and their existence would make the system collapse.
 
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Garlic said:
In theory, if there are enough mesons, the mass defect becomes so high, that it is more favourable for the nucleus to not decay
Where is that theory?
All meson decays release at least tens of MeV, more than the binding energy in nuclei. Increase that to at least 100 MeV if you don't take charged pions of the same charge only.
 
mfb said:
Where is that theory?
There is no theory. I was thinking, because mesons experience the residual nuclear force, the mass defect gets higher with each meson added.

mfb said:
All meson decays release at least tens of MeV, more than the binding energy in nuclei. Increase that to at least 100 MeV if you don't take charged pions of the same charge only.
So, with each meson we add, we are increasing the instability of the nucleus instead of reducing it.

Okay, I understand. Thank you.
 

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