From Xi_b to Λ_b π to Xi_c to Λ_c π

Using a successful framework for describing S-wave hadronic decays of light hyperons induced by a subprocess $s \to u (\bar u d)$, we presented recently a model-independent calculation of the amplitude and branching ratio for $\Xi^-_b \to \Lambda_b \pi^-$ in agreement with a LHCb measurement. The same quark process contributes to $\Xi^0_c \to \Lambda_c \pi^-$, while a second term from the subprocess $cs \to cd$ has been related by Voloshin to differences among total decay rates of charmed baryons. We calculate this term and find it to have a magnitude approximately equal to the $s \to u (\bar u d)$ term. We argue for a negligible relative phase between these two contributions, potentially due to final state interactions. However, we do not know whether they interfere destructively or constructively. For constructive interference one predicts ${\cal B}(\Xi_c^0 \to \Lambda_c \pi^-) = (1.94 \pm 0.70)\times 10^{-3}$ and ${\cal B}(\Xi_c^+ \to \Lambda_c \pi^0) = (3.86 \pm 1.35)\times 10^{-3}$. For destructive interference, the respective branching fractions are expected to be less than about $10^{-4}$ and $2 \times 10^{-4}$.