A full set of nuclear shell orbitals for the Λ particle observed in 32ΛS and 40ΛCa

Abstract The strangeness exchange reaction (K − , π − ) on 32 S and 40 Ca has been studied. The strongest transitions are assigned to states having a configuration with the Λ particle in a 1s, 1p, 1d, 2s, and 1f orbit coupled to the nuclear core. These Λ shells are approximately equidistantly spaced, the energy spacings being about 9 MeV. In the first approximation the Λ particle behaves like a “spinless neutron” in a harmonic oscillator potential.