Some comments on selection rules for nonleptonic decays of charmed particles

We show that even if only the decays of charmed mesons into two body final states are concerned, the Δn _t=0 rule is stillnot equivalent to sextet dominance. We also isolate the significant contribution of each quark diagram to non-leptonic decays of charmed particles. Thereby pointing out that the recent SLAC observation of Λ _c ⁺ →K ^?Δ⁺⁺ has already given evidence that theW-exchange diagram may be important in charmed baryon decays.     

The holographic bubble chamber experiment and the determination of the effective charmed quark mass and theK-factor for hadronic charm production

In the first holographic bubble chamber experiment — the HOBC experiment — we have accumulated a total of 40000 holograms with particle interactions. We have determined the total charm pair cross section inpN collisions to be 23.3 _?7.7 ⁺¹⁰ μb and 3.6 _?1.7 ^+2.3 μb for 360 and 200 GeV/c incident protons respectively. We have assumed a linear dependence of the cross section on the atomic number of the target. This experiment has demonstrated the feasibility of holographic recording in small bubble chambers. Assuming that the charm cross section can be described by the standard QCD factorized expression with gluon fusion and quark-antiquark annihilation, we have used our measured charm cross sections with other measurements to determine the effective charmed quark mass to be 1.8 _?0.35 ^+0.25 GeV/c². TheK factor, which describes the importance of the higher order corrections, is calculated to be 9.8 _?6.9 ^+12.5 (See noted added in proof.)     

Leading/nonleading charm-production asymmetry in Σ− p interactions

The asymmetry between the spectra of leading and nonleading charmed mesons that was measured in Σ^? A interactions at p _L=340 GeV/c in the WA89 experiment is described within the Model of Quark-Gluon Strings (QGS model also known as QGSM) under the assumption that there is a fraction of charmed sea quark-antiquark pairs (intrinsic charm) in an interacting hyperon. It is shown that the asymmetries between D ^?-and D ⁺-meson spectra and between D _s ^? -and D _s ⁺ -meson spectra can be approximated by QGSM curves obtained with the same string-fragmentation parameter, a ₁=10, and the same intrinsic-charm fraction, $\delta _{c,\bar c} = 0.01$ , as those that were used in describing D _s ^? /D _s ⁺ -meson asymmetry of π^? A experiments in previous studies. The asymmetry between the spectra of Λ_c and $\bar \Lambda _c $ that was measured in Σ^? A collisions at p _L=600 GeV/c in the E781 experiment is also described within this scheme. The QGSM results are compared with the results of the calculations in the next-to-leading approximation of perturbative QCD that were performed by other authors.     

Spin effects in two-body hadronic decays of the B c mesons

Spin effects in the weak two-body hadronic decays of the B _c and B _c ^* mesons into J/ψ and ρ(π) mesons are considered within the model of hard one-gluon exchange between quarks at high momentum transfers. It is shown that the polarization of the J/ψ meson in the decays of the B _c ^* meson differs substantially from that in the decays of the B _c ^* meson. The decay widths of the B _c ^* meson differ significantly from the widths of the B _c ^* meson.     

Measurement of various decay modes of charmed particlesD 0,D +,D s + andΛ s c

In the CERN NA 32 experiment a high-resolution silicon vertex detector and a purely topological approach have been used to investigate various decays of charmed particles. We observe ～620 fully reconstructed decays ofD ⁰ in 12 channels and determine the branching ratios. For fourD ⁰ decay modes involving a single (unseen) π⁰ the small and narrowD ^*+?D ⁰ mass difference is used to measure their branching ratios. We also observe ～280 fully reconstructedD ⁺ decays in 10 channels, ～90D _s ⁺ decays in 11 channels as well as 160Λ _s ^c and 18 decay channels ofD ⁺. For theD _s ⁺ , we measure the branching fractions within a subset of 16 three- and five-prong decay channels. For theΛ _s ^c , we determine the branching fractions within a sample of 11 three- and five-prong decay channels, nearly all involving a proton.     

Weak annihilation in charm baryon decays — A re-evaluation

We discuss weak decays of charm baryons taking the mode Λ _c ⁺ →Δ⁺⁺ K ^? as the starting point of our analysis. This channel which can occur only due to weak annihilation has been seen at the ISR. Hence we conclude that weak annihilation is very significant for baryons. Further tests of this picture are listed, in particular concerning charm-strange baryons. We argue that τ(D°)~τ(Λ _c ⁺ )<τ(D ⁺) suggests that baryon and meson decays should be treated on an equal footing even when weak annihilation is included. We describe a framework based on evolution equations where this can be done.     

Measurement of the production cross section for charmed baryons in proton–nucleus interactions at 70 GeV

The results of an analysis of data from the SERP-Е-184 experiment devoted to studying mechanisms of the production of charmed particles in proton–nucleus interactions at 70 GeV and their decays are presented. The data in question were obtained upon irradiating the SVD-2 active target consisting of carbon, silicon, and lead plates with a beam of 70-GeV protons. A detailed simulation on the basis of the FRITIOF7.02 and GEANT3.21 code packages made it possible to optimize event-selection criteria and to calculate the detection efficiency for Λ_c⁺ baryons. After selecting a signal from the threebody decay of a Λ_c⁺ baryon, the inclusive cross section for its production at near-threshold energies, its lifetime, and the parameter of the A dependence of the cross section were found. The Λ_c⁺ -baryon yields are tabulated along with data from other experiments and theoretical predictions.     

Inclusive production ofK *(892) andΣ(1385) in\bar p p interactions at 3.6 GeV/c and a test of factorization hypothesis

We present a study of the inclusive production ofK ^*(892) and ∑^t+-(1385)+cc at 3.6 GeV/c from \(\bar p\) p interactions. The sensitivity of the exposure is 35.4 events/μb. Longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions are presented. The indirect production ofK _s ⁰ from parentK ^* and that of Λ's from parent Σ(1385) are studied. The shape of thex distribution of Λ's for \(p\xrightarrow{{\bar p}}\Lambda \) are calculated from \(p\xrightarrow{p}\Lambda \) and \(p\xrightarrow{{\pi ^ - }}\Lambda \) and compared with the experimental distributions. The difference of antiparticle production cross-section ofK _s ⁰ in the central region is compared with the expectation from Mueller-Regge formalism.     

Prompt neutrino production in a proton beam-dump experiment

In the interactions of 400 GeV/c protons with copper nuclei, a flux of prompt neutrinos is observed. The reactions produced by these neutrinos in our apparatus appear consistent with those of electron- and muon-neutrinos. The prompt neutrino fluxes are interpreted as being due to associated production and subsequent semileptonic decay of charmed hadrons. The prompt flux ratio \(\bar v_\mu /v_\mu = 0.46_{ - 0.16}^{ + 0.21} \) suggests a sizeable production of charmed baryons near the forward direction. The ratio of prompte ^?+e ⁺ toµ ^?+µ ⁺ event rates is 0.64 _?0.15 ^+0.22 , where unity is expected frome-μ universality.     

Diffractive production of charmed strange mesons by neutrinos and antineutrinos

The diffractive production of charmed strangeD _s ^* and possiblyD _s mesons by neutrinos and antineutrinos on nucleons in hydrogen, deuterium and neon targets is observed. The slope parameter of thet distribution is 3.3±0.8 (GeV)^?2. The production rate per charged current neutrino interaction with an isoscalar target times the D _s ⁺ →φτ⁺ branching fraction is (1.03±0.27)×10^?4.     

Search for Θ+(1540) in exclusive proton-induced reaction p + C(N) \to \Theta ^ + \bar \kappa ^0 + C(N) at the energy of 70 GeV

A search for narrow Θ⁺(1540), a candidate for a pentaquark baryon with positive strangeness, has been performed in an exclusive proton-induced reaction $p + C(N) \to \Theta ^ + \bar \kappa ^0 + C(N)$ on carbon nuclei or quasifree nucleons at $E_{beam} = 70GeV(\sqrt s = 11.5GeV)$ studying nK ⁺, pK _S ⁰ , and pK _L ⁰ decay channels of Θ⁺(1540) in four different final states of the $\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 $ system. In order to assess the quality of the identification of the final states with neutron or K _L ⁰ , we reconstructed Λ(1520) → nK _S ⁰ and ? → K _L ⁰ K _S ⁰ decays in the calibration reactions p + C(N) → Λ (1520)K ⁺+C(N) and p+C(N) → p?+C(N). We found no evidence for a narrow pentaquark peak in any of the studied final states and decay channels. Assuming that the production characteristics of the $\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 $ system are not drastically different from those of the Λ(1520)K ⁺ and p? systems, we established upper limits on the cross-section ratios $\sigma (\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 )/\sigma (\Lambda (1520)K^ + ) < 0.02$ and $\sigma (\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 )/\sigma (p\phi ) < 0.15$ at 90% C.L. and a preliminary upper limit for the forward-hemisphere cross section $\sigma (\Theta ^ + \bar K^0 )$ nb/nucleon.     

Contributions of parity-violating baryon matrix elements to nonleptonic charmed-baryon decays

Baryon-baryon matrix elements of the parity-violating charm-changing weak Hamiltonian are calculated using the MIT bag model. The changes in thes- andp-wave amplitudes of Cabibbo-favored nonleptonic decays of charmed baryons due to these parity-violating baryon transition elements are in general not substantially significant. However, they can overwhelm or be comparable to the contributions arising from the parity-conserving matrix elements for some reactions such as thes-wave amplitude ofΛ _c ⁺ →Ξ ⁰ K ⁺ and Δ⁺⁺ K ^? and thep-wave amplitude ofΛ _c ⁺ →∑ ⁰π⁺.     

Production properties ofD 0,D +,D *+ andD s + in 230 GeV/cπ − andK −-Cu interactions

We have studied the hadronic production of charmed mesons in the NA 32 experiment at CERN. A special trigger together with a high resolution vertex detector consisting of charge coupled devices and silicon microstrip detectors allowed the selection of very clean samples of charmed mesons. We have collected 852 fully reconstructed decays: 60D _s ⁺ →K ⁺ K ^?π⁺, 543D°→K ^?π⁺ andK ^?π⁺π^?π⁺ as well as 249D ⁺→K ^?π⁺π⁺ (or charge conjugate). 147 mesons out of our \({{D^0 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{D^0 } {\bar D^0 }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\bar D^0 }}\) sample were produced via chargedD ^* state. For all charmed mesons we determine the total production cross-section and study thex _F andp _t ² distributions.     

Leading-particle effects in the spectra of Λc and \bar \Lambda _c produced in Σ− p, pp, and π − p interactions

The spectra of leading and nonleading charmed baryons (Λ_c and $\bar \Lambda _c$ ) and the asymmetries between these spectra measured in Σ^? A, π ^? A, and pA collisions at p _L =600 GeV/c in the E781 experiment are simultaneously described within the framework of the Quark-Gluon String Model (QGSM). It is shown that the charmed baryon spectra can be fitted by QGSM curves calculated with the parameter of diquark fragmentation, $a_f^{\Lambda _c } = 0.006$ . It was found in this experiment that the asymmetry between the spectra of Λ_c and $\bar \Lambda _c$ in π ^? A collisions is of nonzero value. It might be described in our model only assuming that the string junction is transferred from target proton into the kinematical region of pion projectile fragmentation.     

Neutral strange particle correlations in 360 GeV/cpp interactions

Production properties and correlations forK _s ⁰ K _s ⁰ ,K _s ⁰ Λ,K _s ⁰ ¯Λ and Λ¯Λ systems in 360 GeV/cpp interactions are presented. All rapidity gap distributions are observed to peak at Δy=0 and the azimuthal angular distributions between the two particles are consistent with being flat. Experimental results are compared with the quark fusion and Lund models of particle production.     

A coupled-channel treatment of Cabibbo-angle favoured (D,D s + )→VP decays

We have performed a two-channel calculation of Cabibbo-angle favoured decays,D _s ⁺ →VP. We find a satisfactory fit toS _s ⁺ →φπ ⁺,ρ ⁰ π ⁺ andK ⁺ \(\bar K^{ * 0} \) data from ARGUS and E-691. We have also studied Cabbibo-angle favouredD→VP decays in a coupled channel formalism. We coupleD→K ^*π,K _? and \(\bar K^0 \phi \) channels inI=1/2 state, andK ^*π andK _? channels inI=3/2 state. We leave the two channels, \(\bar K^0 \omega \) and \(\bar K^{ * 0} \eta \) out of our unitarization scheme. Particular attention is paid to the role of the weak annihilation term in these decays.     

Production of charmed hadrons in neutrino proton and antineutrino proton charged current interactions

Usind data from avp and \(\bar v\) p experiment with BEBC at CERN, the rates for inclusive production ofD ^*+,Λ _c ⁺ andD ⁰ invp scattering and ofD ^*? in \(\bar v\) p scattering are measured. Some examples of the exclusive production ofD ^*+,Λ _c ⁺ and∑ _c ⁺⁺ are given. The cross section for the reactionvp→μ ^? _c ⁺⁺ is estimated.     

Pion photoproduction on197Au to ground and isomeric states in197Hg

The lifetime of the 331.3 keV 0 ₂ ⁺ state in¹⁰⁰Zr has been measured at the gas-filled recoil separator for fission products JOSEF. By observing the delayed coincidences between theβ-particles populating the level and theE0 conversion electrons from its decay into the ground state, a half-life of 3.37±0.30 ns has been obtained. From the measured lifetime and the relative intensities of the 0 ₂ ⁺ →0 ₁ ⁺ and 0 ₂ ⁺ →2 ₁ ⁺ transitions, values of 0.493±0.015 for theE0 strength parameterρ, and of 16 single particle units forB(E2,2 ₁ ⁺ → 0 ₂ ⁺ ) have been deduced. The enhanced nature of theE0 transitions suggests mixing of the 0 ₁ ⁺ and 0 ₂ ⁺ states which may be estimated by comparing the experimentalB(E2) values for the 2 ₁ ⁺ →0 ₁ ⁺ and 2 ₁ ⁺ →0 ₂ ⁺ transitions with the predictions of the asymmetric VMI model.