The Lamda-N - Sigma-N Interaction with Isobar Coupling and Six-Quark Resonances

The long-range $\Lambda N-\Sigma N$ interaction is modeled by a configuration space meson-exchange potential matrix coupling to channels with $\Delta$ and $\Sigma(1385)$ isobars. An inner boundary condition, based on $R$-matrix theory, replaces form factors for short-range effects and includes the effects of free quark configurations. An excellent fit is obtained to the available data, with only the energy-independent boundary conditions as free parameters. The effect of isobar thresholds is shown to be substantial in several partial waves and is crucial to the understanding of the higher energy $\Lambda N$ elastic scattering data.