Role of t-channel meson exchanges in S-wave πN and KN scatterings*

The low-energy S-wave πN and KN scatterings are studied by using the K-matrix approach within the meson exchange framework. The t-channel meson exchanges, especially ρ and σ exchanges, are found to play a very important role in these two processes. The t-channel ρ exchange determines the isospin structure of the scattering amplitudes, it gives attractive force in the low isospin state but repulsive force in the high isospin state. The t-channel σ exchange gives a very large contribution in these two processes, while it is negligible in meson-meson S-wave scatterings.