Strange nuclear physics

The replacement of a nucleon of a nucleus by a hyperon produces nuclei whose properties are somewhat different than those of ordinary nuclei. The study of these objects - usually called hypernuclei - constitutes a branch of nuclear research which is parallel to conventional nuclear physics. This parallel branch may be termed strange nuclear physics because the hyperons are differentiated from other baryons by virtue of their possession of one or more strange quarks. The differences and similarities between these parallel fields provide valuable insights into nuclear structure. The current status of this field and its future possibilities are discussed. 16 refs.; 13 figs