K−pp system with chiral SU(3) effective interaction

The K−pp system is investigated using a variational approach with realistic two-body interactions: the Argonne v18 NN potential and an energy dependent effective interaction derived from chiral SU(3) coupled-channel dynamics. Uncertainties in subthreshold extrapolations of the interaction are considered. A weakly bound K−pp state is found, with a binding energy B=(19±3) MeV substantially smaller than suggested in previous calculations. The decay width Γ(K−pp→πΣN) is estimated to range between about 40 and 70 MeV.