Search for the K L 0 → π0ν \tilde v decay at the INEP U-70 accelerator: The KLOD project

The rare decay K _L ⁰ → π⁰ν $ \tilde v $ branching ratio measurement is one of the clearest Standard Model test. Calculations based on the SM predict Br(K _L ⁰ → π⁰ν $ \tilde v $ ) ≈ 2.8 × 10^?11, but the most accurate experimental value Br(K _L ⁰ → π⁰ν $ \tilde v $ ) < 6.7 × 10^?8 (90% C.L.). We present design of a new experimental setup KLOD (U-70 accelerator, IHEP, Protvino) for K _L ⁰ → π⁰ν $ \tilde v $ branching ratio measurement. Sensitivity of the KLOD experiment will be enough for registration of 2.4 events K _L ⁰ → π⁰ν $ \tilde v $ for every 10 days of the data taking (according to SM predictions).     

Angular correlations for semileptonic D meson decays

We study the exclusive semileptonicD meson decaysD→K+π+l+ν. For this we develop the general formalism for the joint angular distribution of the charged lepton and theK meson and calculate the helicity dependent decay widths which determine the full angular distribution for several models withK ^*(892) andK ₀ ^* (1430) intermediate state with nonresonant background terms calculated from chiral Lagrangians.     

Isospin breaking in the phases of the K e4 form factors

Isospin breaking in the K _?4 form factors induced by the difference between charged and neutral pion masses is studied. Starting from suitably subtracted dispersion representations, the form factors are constructed in an iterative way up to two loops in the low-energy expansion by implementing analyticity, crossing, and unitarity due to two-meson intermediate states. Analytical expressions for the phases of the two-loop form factors of the K ^±→π ⁺ π ^? e ^± ν _e channel are given, allowing one to connect the difference of form-factor phase shifts measured experimentally (out of the isospin limit) and the difference of S- and P-wave ππ phase shifts studied theoretically (in the isospin limit). The isospin-breaking correction consists of the sum of a universal part, involving only ππ rescattering, and a process-dependent contribution, involving the form factors in the coupled channels. The dependence on the two S-wave scattering lengths $a_{0}^{0}$ and $a_{0}^{2}$ in the isospin limit is worked out in a general way, in contrast to previous analyses based on one-loop chiral perturbation theory. The latter is used only to assess the subtraction constants involved in the dispersive approach. The two-loop universal and process-dependent contributions are estimated and cancel partially to yield an isospin-breaking correction close to the one-loop case. The recent results on the phases of K ^±→π ⁺ π ^? e ^± ν _e form factors obtained by the NA48/2 collaboration at the CERN SPS are reanalysed including this isospin-breaking correction to extract values for the scattering lengths $a_{0}^{0}$ and $a_{0}^{2}$ , as well as for low-energy constants and order parameters of two-flavour χPT.     

Signature splitting in two quasiparticle rotational bands of <Superscript>180,182</Superscript>Ta

The signature splittings in K^π = 1 ⁺: 7 /2[404] _π?9 /2[624] _ν, K^π = 0^?: 9 /2[514] _π?9 /2[624] _ν bands of ¹⁸⁰Ta and K^π = 0^?: 7 /2[404] _π?7 /2[503] _ν, K^π = 1^?: 5 /2[402] _π?3 /2[512] _ν, K^π = 1⁺: 7 /2[404] _π?9 /2[624] _ν bands of ¹⁸²Ta are analysed within the framework of two-quasiparticle rotor model. The phase as well as magnitude of the experimentally observed signature splitting in K^π = 1⁺ band of ¹⁸⁰Ta, which could not be explained in earlier calculations, is successfully reproduced. The conflict regarding placement of a 12 ⁺ level in K^π = 1 ⁺: 7 /2 ⁺[404] _π?9 /2 ⁺[624] _ν ground-state rotational band of ¹⁸⁰Ta is resolved and tentative nature of K^π = 0^?: 7 /2[404] _π?7 /2[503] _ν, K^π = 1⁺: 7 /2[404] _π?9 /2[624] _ν bands observed in ¹⁸²Ta is confirmed. As a future prediction for experimentalists, these two-quasiparticle structures observed in ¹⁸⁰Ta and ¹⁸²Ta are extended to higher spins.     

Effects of final-state interactions in pure annihilation decay of B s 0 → π+π −

The hadronic decay of B _s ⁰ → π ⁺ π ^? is analyzed by using “QCD factorization” (QCDF) method and final-state interaction (FSI). First, the B _s ⁰ → π ⁺ π ^? decay is calculated via QCDF method and the annihilation graphs only exist in this method. Hence, the FSI must be seriously considered to solve the B _s ⁰ → π ⁺ π ^? decay and the K ^+(*) K ^?(*) and \(K^{0(*)} K^{\bar 0(*)}\) via the exchange of K ^0(*) and K ^?(*) mesons are chosen for the intermediate states. To estimate the intermediate state amplitudes, the QCDF method is again used. These amplitudes are used in the absorptive part of the diagrams. The experimental branching ratio of B _s ⁰ → π ⁺ π ^? decay is less than 1.2 × 10^?6 and our results according to the QCDF method and FSI are 0.68 × 10^?8 and 1.18 × 10^?6, respectively.     

Higgs bosons and neutrinos in the left-right model

The left-right asymmetric model featuring the bidoublet and two triplets of Higgs fields is investigated. It was established that, from an analysis of the reaction l ^?γ → W ^?ν_l, it is possible to deduce not only information about the properties of the singly charged Higgs bosons $\tilde \delta ^{( - )} $ and h ^(?) but also an answer to the question of whether the neutrino is a Majorana or a Dirac particle. The processes $f_i \bar f_j \to \Delta _1^{( - - )} \tilde \delta ^{( + )} $ and e^?μ^? → Δ _1,2 ^(—) γ leading to the production of doubly charged Higgs bosons are investigated. It is shown that information about the properties of singly charged Higgs bosons can also be obtained by studying the ultrahighenergy cosmic neutrinos from the reaction e ^?ν _e →μ^?ν_μ.     

Overview of the CKM physics opportunities beyond K^ + \to \pi ^ + \nu \bar \nu

A new experiment CKM is accepted by Fermilab for a very sensitive study of rare kaon decay $K^ + \to \pi ^ + \nu \bar \nu $ on an intense separated kaon beam. The high quality of the beam and CKM setup make it possible to perform an important set of other kaon-decay measurements in parallel with the main research program: (1) the search for new physics effects beyond the Standard Model (search for new P, S, T interactions and lepton flavor violation in kaon decays); (2) further search for direct CP violation in charged kaon decays; (3) study of low-energy hadron physics in pure conditions of decay processes (K ⁺ → π ⁺ l ⁺ l ^?; ππlν _l; π ⁰ γγ, etc.). The expected results of these studies are compared with other experimental programs.     

Study of B s 0 → µ+µ− and B d 0 → µ+µ− decays in flavor-changing Z′ models

Recently, the first evidence for the decay B _s ⁰ → μ ⁺ μ ^? has been announced by the LHCb Collaboration and the measured branching ratio B( _s ⁰ → μ ⁺) = (3.2 _?1.2 ^+1.5 ) × 10^?9 is in good agreement with the standard model (SM) expectation. It has also reported an upper limit for B(B _d ⁰ → μ ⁺ μ ^?) < 9.4 × 10^?10 at 95% confidence level. In this paper, we study the B _s ⁰ → μ ⁺ μ ^? and B _d ⁰ → μ ⁺ μ ^? rare decays in flavor-changing Z′ model. Our estimated branching ratios are enhanced from their SM values and provide signals for new physics.     

Rare meson decay in supersymmetric theory with nonconservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-parity

The decay of mesons K ⁺ → π ^? l ⁺ l′⁺ and D ⁺ → K ^? l ⁺ l′⁺ (l, l′ = e, μ) involving a change of lepton number ΔL = 2 is considered in a supersymmetric extension of the standard model in which R-parity is not conserved due to trilinear Yukawa interactions. The obtained estimates for the probabilities of these decays are significantly lower than the direct experimental upper limits.     

Measurement of the masses and lifetimes of the charmed mesonsD 0,D + andD s +

We present the final results on the measurement of the masses and lifetimes of the mesonsD ⁰,D ⁺ andD _s ⁺ in the NA32 experiment at the CERN SPS, using silicon microstrip detectors and charge-coupled devices for vertex reconstruction. We measure the following lifetimes: \(\tau _{D^0 } = 3.88 \pm _{0.21}^{0.23} \cdot 10^{ - 13} s\) using a sample of 479D°→K ^?π⁺π^?π⁺ and 162D°→K ^?π⁺ decays; \(\tau _{D^ + } = 10.5 \pm _{0.72}^{0.77} \cdot 10^{ - 13} s\) with a sample of 317D ⁺→K ^?π⁺π⁺ decays; \(\tau _{D_s^ + } = 4.69 \pm _{0.86}^{1.02} \cdot 10^{ - 13} s\) with a sample of 54D _s ⁺ →K ⁺ K ^?π⁺ decays. We measure the following masses:m _D ⁰=1864.6±0.3±1.0 MeV,m _D ⁺=1870.0±0.5±1.0 MeV and \(m_{D_s^ + } \) =1967.0±1.0±1.0 MeV.     

Transverse polarization of the lepton in the decay process <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis> → <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dlν</Emphasis><Subscript>l</Subscript> due to electromagnetic final-state interaction

The emergence of transverse polarization of the lepton in the decay processes B⁰ → D^?l⁺ν_l and \(B^ + \to \bar D^0 l + \nu _l \) for l = τ, μ is studied on the basis of the Standard Model in the leading approximation of heavy-quark effective theory. It is shown that a nonzero transverse polarization appears owing to electromagnetic final-state interactions at the one-loop level. Diagrams involving D and D* mesons in the intermediate state and making a nonzero contribution to the transverse polarization of the outgoing lepton are considered. If only these mesons are taken into account in evaluating the mean values of the τ-lepton polarization in the decays B⁰→D^?τ⁺ν_τ and \(B^ + \to \bar D^0 \tau ^ + \nu _\tau \), the results are 2.60×10^-3 and ?1.59×10^?3, respectively. The corresponding values of the transverse muon polarization averaged over the Dalitz plot are 2.97×10^?4 and-6.79×10^?4.     

37 Years with the light scalar mesons. The learned lessons

Attention is paid to the production mechanisms of light scalars that reveal their nature. We reveal the chiral shielding of the σ(600) meson. We show that the kaon loop mechanism of the ? radiative decays, ratified by experiment, is four-quark transition and points to the four-quark nature of light scalars. We show also that the light scalars are produced in the two photon collisions via four-quark transitions in contrast to the classic P wave tensor qq? mesons that are produced via two-quark transitions γγ → qq?. We study the mechanism of production of the light scalar mesons in the D _s ⁺ → π⁺π^? e ⁺ν decays: D _s ⁺ → ss?e ⁺ν → [σ(600) + f ₀(980)]e ⁺ν → π⁺π^? e ⁺ν, and compare it with the mechanism of production of the light pseudoscalar mesons in the D _s ⁺ → (η/η′)e ⁺ν decays: D _s ⁺ → ss?e ⁺ν → (η/η′)e ⁺ν. As a result we find support to four-quark nature of light scalars. In the end, we outline the future research program.     

An effective chiral Lagrangian model for the τ-decay into three charged pions

An effective chiral Lagrangian for the π-ρ-A ₁-system is used to study the decayτ ^±→ν _τπ⁺π^?π^±. Demanding that the hadronic current 〈0|J _μ|3π〉 agrees at the low energy limit with the one obtained from the corresponding pseudoscalar meson Lagrangian ?(π), an ambiguity linked to free parameters in ?(π,ρ,A ₁) is eliminated. The decay spectrum and branching ratio of τ^±→ν _τπ⁺π^?π^± are calculated as functions of theA ₁-mass and compared with the experimental results. So conclusions can be drawn concerning theA ₁-parameters, which are found to be $$m_{A_1 } = (1180 \pm 50)MeV;\Gamma _{A_1 } = (450 \pm 100)MeV.$$ . The mass-value is smaller than recently published ones. This is attributed to the effect of suppressed decay channels not seen in the experiments up to now. A contribution from direct, non-(ρ ⁰π^±) resonanceA ₁-decay is obtained, being about 15%.     

Systematics of exclusive diffraction dissociation modes inK ± p interactions at 32 GeV/c

We present results of an investigation of diffraction dissociation in exclusive channels inK ^± p interactions at 32 GeV/c. Total cross sections are determined forK ^±→K ^±π⁺π^?,K ^±2π⁺2π^?,K ⁰π^±π^± K ^±2π⁺π^?,K ^± K ⁺ K ^?,K ^±p \(\bar p\) , \(\bar \Lambda \) p, andp→pπ ⁺π^?,p2π⁺2π^?,pK ⁺K^?,ΛK ⁺,ΛK ⁺π⁺π^? dissociation modes, ranging from a high of ? 300 μb to ～ 3 μb. Thedσ/dt′ differential cross sections of most of the systems studied exhibit structure, with breaks of slope att′ ～ 0.2 to 0.5 GeV²; some modes have a sharp forward spike with a slope exceeding 10 GeV^?2. A systematic investigation of two-body dissociation modesK→A+B andp→A′+B′ shows that these cross sections decrease with increasing threshold massM _A+M _B, that they are comparable for kaon and proton dissociations at similar diffractive excitation masses and are systematically suppressed by a factor 3–4 for dissociations requiring an \(s\bar s\) quark pair creation when compared to \(u\bar u\) pair creation indicating a breakdown ofSU ₃ symmetry for the \(q\bar q\) sea.     

Absorptive corrections to associated production of strange baryon and meson resonances in πp scattering

Absorptive corrections are calculated for the reactionsπ ⁺ p→K ^*+∑⁺(K ^*+ Y ₁ ^*+ ) mediated byK-exchange andπ ⁺p→K⁺ Y ₁ ^*+ withK ^*-exchange. The effect of the finite width of the resonances is included. Numerical results are given for 5 and 8 GeV/c.     

Observation of a narrowK s 0 K s 0 π+π− state at 1.97 GeV produced inK + p interactions at 32 GeV/c

Evidence is provided for a new resonance in theK _s ⁰ K _s ⁰ π⁺π^? system with a mass of 1.97±0.01 GeV and width 40±20 MeV. It is produced with an inclusive cross section of ～6μb in the beam fragmentation process of 4-prongK ⁺ p interactions with at least 2 associatedV ⁰'s at 32 GeV/c and decays dominantly into theK ^{* ±} (892)K _s ⁰ π^? mode.     

Measurement of cross sections for processes involving <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Superscript>−</Superscript> annihilation to hadrons at the VEPP-2M collider

Results obtained by measuring, in experiments at the VEPP-2M e ⁺ e ^? collider with the CMD-2 and SND detectors at the Novosibirsk Institute of Nuclear Physics, cross sections for e ⁺ e ^? → hadrons annihilation processes at energies in the range 360 ≤ √s ≤ 1380 MeV are surveyed. The measured cross sections and the vector-meson parameters deduced from an analysis of these cross sections are presented. The cross section for the process e ⁺ e ^? → π ⁺ π ^? is compared with the spectral function for the decay τ ^? → π ^? π ⁰ ν _τ.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z′</Emphasis>-mediated flavor-changing neutral current on <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis> → <Emphasis Type="Italic">ππ</Emphasis> decays

We study the effect of Z′-mediated flavor-changing neutral current on the B → ππ decays. The branching ratios of these decays can be enhanced remarkably in the nonuniversal Z′ model. Our estimated branching ratios B(B ⁰ → π ⁰ π ⁰) are enhanced significantly from their standard model (SM) value. For g′/g = 1, the branching ratios B(B ⁰ → π ⁰ π ⁰) are very close to the recently observed experimental values and for higher values of g′/g branching ratios are more. Our calculated branching ratios B(B ⁰ → π ⁺ π ^?) and B(B ⁺ → π ⁺ π ⁰) are also enhanced from the SM value as well as the recently observed experimental values. These enhancements of branching ratios from their SM value give the possibility of new physics.     

Conserved vector current and decays τ<Superscript>−</Superscript> → η(η′)π<Superscript>−</Superscript>π<Superscript>0</Superscript>ν<Subscript>τ</Subscript>

We use experimental data on e ⁺ e ^? → (η′)π⁺π^? and conservation of vector current to estimate the branching fractions of τ^? decay to η(η′)π^?π⁰ν_τ. The obtained values are compared to the experimental results.