Remarks on the Hypertriton

The structure of the $S$ states possible for a system consisting of a $\Lambda$ particle and two nucleons is discussed, and criteria are laid down for a trial wave function suitable for describing the orbital motion. In order to obtain an upper bound for the $\Lambda$-nucleon interaction strength, variational calculations are carried through for the hypertriton with a simple trial function. Following the discussion of the results, it is concluded that it is very unlikely that there should exist bound states for the hyperdeuteron or for ${}_{\Lambda }{}^{}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{He}_{}^3{}_{}{}^{}$.