Self-consistent description of Λ hypernuclei in the quark-meson coupling model

The quark-meson coupling (QMC) model, which has been successfully used to describe the properties of both finite nuclei and infinite nuclear matter, is applied to a study of $\Lambda$ hypernuclei. With the assumption that the (self-consistent) exchanged scalar, and vector, mesons couple only to the u and d quarks, a very weak spin-orbit force in the $\Lambda$-nucleus interaction is achieved automatically. This is a direct consequence of the SU(6) quark model wave function of the $\Lambda$ used in the QMC model. Possible implications and extensions of the present investigation are also discussed.