First observation of the KS→π0γγ decay

Using the NA48 detector at the CERN SPS, 31 K_S→π⁰γγ candidates with an estimated background of 13.7±3.2 events have been observed. This first observation leads to a branching ratio of BR(K_S→π⁰γγ)_z>0.2=(4.9±1.6_stat±0.9_syst)×10⁻⁸ in agreement with Chiral Perturbation Theory predictions.     

Search for the decay τ− → vτηπ−

We have searched for the decay τ⁻ → v_τηπ⁻ using data accumulated by the ARGUS detector at the e⁺e⁻ storage ring DORIS II at DESY. No η signal was found in the π⁺π⁻π⁰ subsystems of the decay τ⁻ →v_τπ⁻π⁻π⁺ π⁰. We obtain an upper limit for the branching ratio of the decay τ⁻ → v_τηπ⁻ of 1.3% at the 95% confidence level.     

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.).     

First observation of the decay φ→η′(958)γ

The decay φ→η′γ has been observed by the CMD-2 detector at the e⁺e⁻ collider VEPP-2M at Novosibirsk. Of 5.5 million produced φ's, six events of the φ→η′γ decay were selected with the expected background less than one event. The corresponding branching ratio is B(φ→η′γ)=1.2^+0.7_−0.5·10⁻⁴. It is the first observation of this radiative decay.     

An improved upper limit on the ντ-mass from the decay π−→π−π−π−π+π+ντ

Using the ARGUS detector at the e⁺e⁻ storage ring DORIS II, we have observed the decay τ⁻→π⁻π⁻π⁻π⁺π⁺ν_τ in tau-pair events produced at center-or-mass energies between 9.4 and 10.6 GeV. From the 5π invariant mass distribution we derive an upper limit of m(ν_τ)<35 MeV/c² at the 95% confidence level. The branching ratio for this decay channel is found to be (0.064±0.023±0.01)%.     

First observation of γγ → ωω

The reaction γγ → 2π⁺ 2π⁻ 2π⁰ has been studied using the ARGUS detector at the e⁺e⁻ storage ring DORIS II at DESY. Production of ω mesons is observed and, in particular, the reaction γγ → ωω is seen for the first time. The cross section for γγ → ωω has an enhancement at ∼ 1.9 GeV/c² of about 10 nb. The cross sections for γγ → 2π⁺ 2π⁻ 2π⁰ and γγ → ωπ⁺ π⁻ π⁰ are also given.     

Measurement of the decay rate and the parameter αK* of the decay KL → μμγ

The rate of the decay of the neutral K meson into K _L ⁰ → μμγ has been measured with the NA48 detector at the CERN SPS. A total of 59 events has been observed with an estimated background of 14 events. The overall Kaon flux was determined to be 1.2 × 10⁹. This observation corresponds to a branching ratio of (3.4 ± 0.6_stat ± 0.4_sys × 10^-7. Using this branching ratio the parameter α_K* describing the relative strength of the two contributing amplitudes to this decay, through intermediate pseudoscalar or vectorlike mesons, was measured to be α_K* = -0.04+ _-0.21 ^+0.24 .     

A new upper limit for the branching ratio of the decay K0S → e+e−

A new value of the upper limit for the branching ratio of the decay of K⁰_S into e⁺e⁻ has been experimentally obtained using a lead glass detector. The value is BR (K⁰_S → e⁺e⁻) < 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ (90% CL).     

Radiative pion decay: Determination of FA(0) from τ-lepton decay data

The form factor F_A(0) in π→eνγ is calculated, at the soft pion point, directly from data on the semileptonic τ-lepton decays τ→ν_τ + nπ, which determine the relevant vector and axial-vector hadronic spectral functions. The reliability of this calculation is assessed by using these fitted spectral functions to check the saturation of the first two Weinberg sum rules. The results are: F_A(0)=0.017±0.004, and γ(0)F_A(0)/F_V(0)=0.67±0.04±0.16.     

First experimental observation of the conical effect in Smith–Purcell radiation

The conical effect in Smith–Purcell radiation arising from electrons moving at non-zero angle to the direction of grating periodicity has been observed for the first time. It was found that the maximum of radiation intensity for ψ ≠ 0 shifts in both polar and azimuth angles. The experimental and theoretical results were compared, and the good agreement was shown. The experiment has been performed for 6 MeV electrons and at millimeter wavelengths.     

Searching for physics beyond the Standard Model in the decay B+ → K+K+ π−

The observation potential of the decay B⁺ K⁺K^+– with the ATLAS detector at LHC is described in this paper. In the Standard Model this decay mode is highly suppressed, while in models beyond the Standard Model it could be significantly enhanced. To improve the selection of the K⁺K^+– final state, a charged hadron identification using Time-over-Threshold measurements in the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker was developed and used.     

Higgs decay to τ+τ−A possible signature of intermediate mass Higgs bosons at high energy hadron colliders

This paper considers the decay of a standard model Higgs boson into a tau pair, as a possible signature at the SSC or LHC for a Higgs boson of mass between 110 and 160 GeV. The production of the Higgs in association with a large transverse momentum jet is considered, since this may aid in reconstructing the Higgs mass. The background from the production of tau pairs via virtual photons and Z's is studied. We comment on the possible use of this process to search for a light Higgs at the Tevatron collider.     

Measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry in the B→K*μ(+)μ(-) decay and first observation of the B(s)0→ϕμ(+)μ(-) decay

We reconstruct the rare decays B(+)→K(+)μ(+0μ(-0, B90)→K*(892)(0)μ(+)μ(-), and B(s)(0)→?(1020)μ(+)μ(-) in a data sample corresponding to 4.4 fb(-1) collected in pp collisions at √[s]=1.96 TeV by the CDF II detector at the Tevatron Collider. Using 121±16 B(+)→K(+)μ(+)μ(-) and 101±12 B(0)→K(*0)μ(+)μ(-) decays we report the branching ratios. In addition, we report the differential branching ratio and the muon forward-backward asymmetry in the B(+) and B(0) decay modes, and the K(*0) longitudinal polarization fraction in the B(0) decay mode with respect to the squared dimuon mass. These are consistent with the predictions, and most recent determinations from other experiments and of comparable accuracy. We also report the first observation of the B(s)(0)→?μ(+)μ(-) decay and measure its branching ratio BR(B(s)(0)→?μ(+)μ(-))=[1.44±0.33±0.46]×10(-6) using 27±6 signal events. This is currently the most rare B(s)(0) decay observed.     

First observation of lasing at 231 Å in neon-like nickel using the prepulse technique

We report lasing for the first time in nickel on the neon-like J=01, 3p3s transition at 231 Å as well as several weaker transitions including the J=2»1 lines at 298 Å and 304 Å. Amplification is seen only when the prepulse technique of using a low intensity prepulse before the main optical drive pulse is used to illuminate the nickel target. The prepulse technique is also shown to produce lasing in copper and dramatically improve the output of the germanium laser.