Test of exotic scalar and tensor interactions in K e3 decay using stopped positive kaons

The form factors of the decay K ⁺ → π ⁰ e ⁺ ν _e (K _e3) have been determined from the comparison of the experimental and Monte Carlo Dalitz distributions containing about 10⁵ K _e3 events. The following values of the parameters were obtained: λ ₊=0.0278±0.0017 (stat.)±0.0015 (syst.), |f _S/f ₊(0)|=0.0040±0.0160 (stat.)±0.0067 (syst.), and |f _T/f ₊(0)|=0.019±0.080 (stat.)±0.038 (syst.). Both scalar f _S and tensor f _T form factors are consistent with the Standard Model predictions of zero values.     

Study of the K − → e − νπ 0 decay

The decay K ^? → e ^? νπ ⁰ has been studied using in-flight decays detected with the ISTRA₊ setup working at the 25-GeV negative secondary beam of the U-70 PS. About 130K events were used for the analysis. The λ ₊ parameter of the vector form factor has been measured: λ ₊=0.0293±0.0015(stat.)±0.002(syst.). The limits on the possible tensor and scalar couplings have been derived: f _T/f ₊(0)=?0.045±0.060(stat.) and f _S/f ₊(0)=?0.019 _?0.016 ^+0.025 (stat.).     

Study of the K − → μ − νπ 0 decay

The decay K ^? → μ ^? νπ ⁰ has been studied using in-flight decays detected with the ISTRA+ setup operating in the 25-GeV negative secondary beam of the U-70 PS. About 112K events were used for the analysis. The λ ₊ and λ ₀ slope parameters of the decay form factors f ₊(t) and f ₀(t) have been measured: λ ₊=0.0321±0.004(stat.)±0.002(syst.), λ ₀=0.0209±0.004(stat.)±0.002(syst.); the correlation dλ ₀/dλ ₊=?0.46. The limits on the possible tensor and scalar couplings have been derived: f _T/f ₊(0)=?0.021±0.028(stat.)±0.014(theor.), f _S/f ₊(0)=0.004±0.005(stat.)±0.005(theor.).     

Measurements of hyperon semileptonic decays at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron

The charged hyperon beam at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) has been used to collect data on semileptonic decays of Σ^?, Ξ^?, andΛ. A magnetic channel selected 100 GeV/c negatively charged particles produced in the forward direction by interaction of a 210 GeV/c proton beam on a BeO target. The Σ^? and Ξ^? hyperons were concurrently identified in a DISC ?erenkov counter, and their decay products were analysed by a magnetic spectrometer. Electron-hadron discrimination was achieved by the combined use of lead glass and lead/scintillator counters, transition radiation detectors, and a ?erenkov counter. In this article we report results on the \(\Xi \to \Lambda \pi (\Lambda \to pe\bar v), \Xi \to \Lambda e\bar v(\Lambda \to p\pi ),\) and \(\Xi \to \sum ^0 e\bar v(\sum ^0 \to \Lambda \gamma ) (\Lambda \to p\pi )\) decay modes. Samples of 7,111 \(\Lambda \to pe\bar v, 2,608 \Xi \to \Lambda e\bar v\) , and \(154 \Xi \to \Sigma ^0 e\bar v\) were used in our analysis. The branching ratio measurements gave values of (8.57±0.36)×10^?4, (5.64±0.31)×10^?4, and (0.87±0.17)×10^?4 for \(\Lambda \to pe\bar v, \Xi \to \Lambda e\bar v\) , and \( \Xi \to \sum ^0 e\bar v\) , respectively. Measurements of the Λ polarization and of the centre-of-mass distributions yield the axial vector to vector form factor ratio,g ₁/f ₁=+0.70±0.03 for \(\Lambda \to pe\bar v\) , andg ₁/f ₁=+0.25±0.05 for \(\Xi \to \Lambda e\bar v\) . The effects ofq ²-dependence off ₁ andg ₁ and of radiative corrections, the measurement of the weak magnetism termf ₂, and the effect of possible second-class current terms are discussed. Results on the \(\sum \to \Lambda e\bar v\) and \(\sum \to ne\bar v\) decay modes are reported in separate articles.     

A study of the decay KL0 → π±e∓νe

In a study of charged K_L⁰ three-body decays a sample of 6668 K_L⁰ → π^±e^?ν candidates has been obtained. The Dalitz plot distribution is in agreement with V ? A theory, and limits are presented for scalar and tensot contributions to the weak current. Using a conventional expansion for the form factor f₊ we find λ₊ = 0.055 ± 0.010 with systematic effects estimated at ± 0.01.     

The K0 SK0 S final state in two-photon collisions and SU(3) tensor nonets

The K⁰ _SK⁰ _S final state in two-photon collisions is studied with the L3 experiment at LEP, using orbital angular momentum operators. The mass spectrum is dominated by the formation of tensor mesons, their two-photon partial width are determined. A signal at 1700-1800MeV is found to be a new tensor state f ₂(1750) with mass M = (1755±10)MeV and width Γ = (67±12)MeV. All observed tensor resonances obey SU(3) relations. The f ₂(1750) state forms a second tensor nonet together with f ₂(1560) and a ₂(1700). The SU(3) analysis allows us to determine with good accuracy mixing angles between nonstrange and strange components of the isoscalar members of tensor nonets.     

The unique first-forbidden β-DECAY OF 86Rb

The spectrum shape of the 2^?-0⁺ unique first-forbidden β-transition of ⁸⁶Rb has been remeasured. An end-point energy of E₀ = 1779.2±2.5 keV and a shape factor coefficient a = ?0.039 ±0.003(m₀c²)^?1 have been obtained. In order to explain this deviation from the unique forbidden shape a detailed theoretical analysis of this β-transition has been carried out. It was found that it is not possible to explain this behaviour in the framework of the unified model. By including, however, the induced currents, especially the induced tensor current (second class current), in the on-mass-shell limit, more agreement between experiment and theory could be obtained. But the extracted value for the induced tensor coupling constant |_T = 0.013 ± 0.005 should be considered as a rough estimate only because of the simplistic nature of the analysis in single-particle impulse approximation terms.     

Beta-ray angular distribution in aligned 12B and 12N and G-parity irregular induced tensor current

We made an explicit formula for beta-ray angular distribution by taking into account the radiative corrections, Coulomb corrections of the finite-size nucleus, weak magnetism, induced pseudoscalar, second-class induced tensor, and contributions of the d-wave leptons. Experimental data on the beta decays of aligned ¹²B and ¹²N given at Osaka are carefully investigated, and it is shown that these data are compatible with no induced tensor current, $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{T}}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{A}}\text{=}\text{?(0.44 +-0.88)}\text{2M}$. The nuclear parameter y is 3.3±0.9 in excellent agreement with the predicted value 3.6.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>3</Subscript> Decay Studies in the OKA Experiment

Recent results from OKA setup concerning form factor studies in K_e3 decay are presented. About 5.25 M events obtained for decays of 17.7 GeV/cK⁺ are selected for the analysis. The linear and quadratic slopes for the decay form factor f₊(t) are measured: λ'₊ = 2.95 ± 0.022 ± 0.018 × 10 ^-2 for the linear slope fit and λ₊ = 2.611 ± 0.035 ± 0.028 × 10 ^-2, λ"₊ = 1.91 ± 0.19 ± 0.14 × 10 ^-3 for the quadratic one. The scalar and tensor contributions are compatible with zero. Several alternative parametrizations are tried: the Pole fit parameter is found to be M _V = 891 ± 3 MeV; the parameter of the dispersive parametrization is measured to be Λ₊ = 2.458 ± 0.018 × 10^-2.     

Measurement of charged kaon semileptonic decay branching fraction K^ - \to e^ - \bar \nu _e \pi ^0 using ISTRA+ detector

The ratio of branching fractions for \(K^ - \to e^ - \bar \nu _e \pi ^0\) andK ^? → π^?π⁰ decays has been measured using the ISTRA+ spectrometer. The result of our measurement is the following: $$\mathcal{R}_{Ke_3 /K_{2\pi } } = 0.2423 \pm 0.0015(stat.) \pm 0.0037(syst.).$$ Using the current PDG value for the K _2π branching fraction, this result leads to the measured K _e3 branching fraction of Br(K _e3) = 0.0501 ± 0.0009 and to the value of |V _us |f ₊(0) = 0.2115 ± 0.0021.     

Measurement of neutral-meson masses in meson-nucleus interactions at a momentum of 7 GeV/c at the Hyperon-M setup

The π ⁰, η, K ⁰, ω, and f ₂(1270) masses were measured at the HYPERON-Msetup in meson-nucleus interactions at a momentum of 7 GeV/c by using six nuclear targets: Be, C, Al, Cu, Sn, and Pb. The experiment in question proved to be insensitive to the expected effects of a modification to the omega-meson mass in nuclear matter. As for the f ₂(1270) meson, its mass and width values averaged over all experimental data, $m_{f_2 }$ = 1275.8 ± 1.0(stat.) ± 0.4(syst.) MeV/c ² and $\Gamma _{f_2 }$ = 190.3 ± 1.9(stat.) ± 1.8(syst.) MeV/c ², agree well with the world-average values. At the same time, our experimental data do not rule out the possible effect of an in-medium modification to the f ₂(1270)-meson mass for heavy nuclei at a level better than 0.4%.     

Radiative decays and quark content of f 0(980) and φ(1020)

The quark structure of φ(1020) and f ₀(980) is studied on the basis of data on the radiative decays φ(1020) → γπ ⁰, γη, γη′, γ a ₀(980), γ f ₀(980) and f ₀(980) → γγ. The partial widths are calculated under the assumption that all the mesons under consideration are $\bar qq$ states: φ(1020) is a dominantly $s\bar s$ state ( $\eta ' = n\bar nsin\theta + s\bar scos\theta $ component contributes not more than 1%); η, η′, and π ⁰ are standard $q\bar q$ states, $\eta = n\bar ncos\theta - s\bar ssin\theta $ and $\eta ' = n\bar nsin\theta + s\bar scos\theta $ with θ?37°; and f ₀(980) is a e5 meson with the flavor wave function $n\bar ncos\varphi + s\bar ssin\varphi $ . The transition φ → γπ ⁰ specifies the admixture of the $n\bar n$ component in the φ meson: it is on the order of 0.5%. We argue that this order of $n\bar n$ value does not contradict data on the decay φ(1020) → γ a ₀(980). The partial widths calculated for the decays φ → γη, γη? are in reasonable agreement with experimental data. The measured branching-ratio value Br(φ→γf ₀(980))=(3.4±0.4 _?0.5 ^+1.5 ×10^?4) requires 25°≤|?|≤90°. For the decay f ₀(980) → γγ, the agreement with data, Γ(f ₀(980) → γγ)=0.28 _?0.13 ^+0.09 keV, is attained at either ?=85°±8° or ?=?46°±8°. A simultaneous analysis of the decays φ(1020) → γ f ₀(980) and f ₀(980) → γγ favors the solution with the negative mixing angle of ?=?48°±6°, setting f ₀(980) very close to the flavor octet (? _octet=±54.7°).     

Structure of weak nucleon currents and charge asymmetry in nuclear beta decay

Structure of weak nucleon currents is studied from the beta decays in the A=12 system. We have investigated the experimental data on the beta-ray angular distribution in the aligned ¹²B and ¹²N recently given by the Osaka group with our formulas to find a new limit for the induced tensor current. A possible difference of the ratio y of the axial charge to Gamow-Teller matrix elements between the beta decays of ¹²B and ¹²N is calculated theoretically in connection with the ft-value asymmetry, since it affects the evaluation of the strength of the induced tensor current.     

Structural studies of tetrachloride liquids

The differential cross-sections for neutron scattering from liquid carbon tetrachloride have been measured with the TSS instrument at the Harwell Electron Linac. Data were taken at seven different scattering angles for a wavelength range of 0·2–3·5 Å. The observed diffraction patterns at high momentum transfer (> 8–30 Å^-1) have been analysed in terms of the molecular form factor f ₁(Q). It was found that the oscillation amplitudes could be satisfactorily described only by introducing an energy-dependent term into the Debye-Waller factors of the form factor. The f ₁(Q) data were fitted with a four-parameter function for measurements at scattering angles of 150°, 90° and 58°. The carbon-chlorine bond length parameter was accurately defined in all cases and had a mean value of 1·766 ± 0·002 Å. The inclusion of an anharmonicity constant in the form factor gave an improved χ²-fit to the data with an increased value of 1·770 ± 0·002 Å for the bond length. The results are in excellent agreement with other measurements and show the importance of pulsed neutron techniques for molecular structure studies of disordered materials.     

Study of K^ - \to \pi ^0 e^ - \overline \nu _e \gamma decay with ISTRA+ setup

Results of study of the $K^ - \to \pi ^0 e^ - \overline \nu \gamma $ decay at the ISTRA+ setup are presented. We observed 4476 events of this decay. The branching ratio is found to be $R = \frac{{Br(K^ - \to \pi ^0 e^ - \overline \nu _e \gamma )}}{{Br(K^ - \to \pi ^0 e^ - \overline \nu _e )}}$ = (1.81±0.03(stat.)±0.07(syst.)) × 10^?2 for E*_γ > 10 MeV and θ*_eγ > 10°. For comparison with the previous experiment the branching ratio with cuts E*_γ > 10 MeV, 0.6 < cos θ*_eγ < 0.9 is calculated: R = $\frac{{Br(K^ - \to \pi ^0 e^ - \overline \nu _e \gamma )}}{{Br(K^ - \to \pi ^0 e^ - \overline \nu _e )}}$ = (0.47±0.02(stat.) ± 0.03(syst.)) × 10^?2. For the cuts E*_γ > 30 MeV and θ*_eγ > 20°, used in most theoretical papers, Br = (3.06 ± 0.09(stat.) ± 0.14(syst.)) × 10^?4. For the asymmetry we get A _ξ = ?0.015 ± 0.021. At present it is the best estimate of this asymmetry.     

Oscillator strengths from line absorption in a high-temperature furnace—II. The (0,0) band of the B2σ+—X2σ+ transition in CN*

Quantitative high-resolution absorption spectroscopy was applied to the (0,0) violet band of CN. The CN radical was prepared in a furnace at 1421°K containing pure cyanogen gas. Since the calculated CN concentration is dependent on the controversial CN heat of formation, only the relationship, f_υ = 6·84 X 10^-3exp (0·354δ), where f_υ is the excess over the initially assumed ΔH⁰_f(CN) = 100·8 kcal/mole, could be directly determined in this study with an estimated error in f_υ of ±20%. For δ = 0, our f_υ is a factor of 4·8 smaller than an average value of 0·033±0· derived from other measurements. If this latter value of f_υ is assumed, our relationship yields ΔH⁰_f(CN) = 105·3±1· kcal/mole or D₀(CN) = 7·66±0·05 eV. The rotational temperature and line widths for this band were also measured.     

Systematics of the nuclear spin polarization of12B in14N induced heavy ion reactions

Systematic study of polarization of projectile like fragment¹²B in¹⁴N induced reactions on light mass-number targets has been continued. A large positive polarization at small energy loss region was observed for an²⁷Al target at various reaction angles. Polarization is studied as a function of kinetic energy and reaction angle of¹²B in terms of a classical frictional force.Positive polarization is defined by where k_f and k_i are outgoing and incoming wave vectors, respectively.     

Measurements of hyperon semileptonic decays at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron

The charged hyperon beam at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) has been used to collect data on semileptonic decays ofΣ ^?,Ξ ^? andΛ. A magnetic channel selects 100 GeV/c negatively charged particles produced in the forward direction by interaction of the 200 GeV/c SPS proton beam on a BeO target. TheΣ ^? andΞ ^? hyperons are concurrently identified in a DISC ?erenkov counter, and their decay products are analysed by a magnetic spectrometer. Electron-hadron discrimination is achieved by the combined use of lead-glass and lead/scintillator counters, transition radiation detectors, and a ?erenkov counter. In this article we report results on the \(\Sigma ^ - \to \Lambda e^ - \bar v\) decay mode. Measurements of the Λ polarization and of the centre-of-mass distributions (baryon kinetic energy, electron-neutrino correlation, and Dalitz plot distributions) yield the vector to axialvector form factor ratiof ₁/g ₁=+0.034±0.080, in agreement with the value expected from the conserved vector current hypothesis (f ₁/g ₁=0). TheΣ ^?→Λe ^? v→ branching ratio measurement gives a value of (5.41±0.30)×10^?5. The effects of radiative corrections are not included in these results. They are discussed in the text. Results on the otherΞ ^?,Σ ^?, andΛ semileptonic decays are reported in separate articles.