Octet to decuplet electromagnetic transition in a relativistic quark model

Abstract

We study the octet to decuplet baryon electromagnetic transitions using the covariant spectator quark model and predict the transition magnetic dipole form factors for those involving the strange baryons. Utilizing SU(3) symmetry, the valence quark contributions are supplemented by the pion cloud dressing based on the one estimated in the γ*N→Δ reaction. Although the valence quark contributions are dominant in general, the pion cloud effects turn out to be very important to describe the experimental data. We also show that other mesons besides the pion, in particular the kaon, may be relevant for some reactions such as γ*Σ +→Σ*+, based on our analysis for the radiative decay widths of the strange decuplet baryons. © 2013 American Physical Society.