QCD inequalities for hadron interactions

We derive generalisations of the Weingarten–Witten QCD mass inequalities for particular multi-hadron systems. For systems of any number of identical pseudo-scalar mesons of maximal isospin, these inequalities prove that interactions between the constituent mesons must be repulsive and that no bound states can form in these channels. Similar constraints in less symmetric systems are also extracted. These results are compatible with experimental results (where known) and recent lattice QCD calculations, and also lead to a more stringent bound on the nucleon mass than previously derived, $m_N \ge 3/2 m_\pi$.