We show that kaonic nuclei can be produced by the ( $K^{-},p$) and ( $K^{-},n$) reactions. The reactions are shown to have cross sections experimentally measurable. The observation of kaonic nuclei gives a kaon-nucleus potential which answers the question as to the existence of kaon condensation in dense nuclear matter, especially in neutron stars.

• Received 13 July 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.4701