Study of hypernuclei by associated production

Data obtained by the associated production of {Λ} hypernuclei through the (π⁺,K⁺) reaction are presented for a wide range of mass numbers. The special features which make this reaction useful are pointed out. The reaction is shown to be an excellent probe of {Λ} single-particle states, as demonstrated by the excitation of deeply bound states which are interpreted as the weak coupling of a {Λ} to neutron-hole states of the core. The {Λ} binding energies and ground-state production cross sections for _Λ⁹Be, _Λ¹²C, _Λ¹⁶O, _Λ²⁸Si, _Λ⁴⁰Ca, _Λ⁵¹V, and _Λ⁸⁹Y are presented.