Search for the rare decays K(L)→π0π0μ+μ- and K(L)→π0π0X0→π0π0μ+μ-

The KTeV E799 experiment has conducted a search for the rare decays, K(L)→π(0)π(0)μ(+)μ(-) and K(L)→π(0)π(0)X(0)→π(0)π(0)μ(+)μ(-), where the X(0) is a possible new neutral boson that was reported by the HyperCP experiment with a mass of (214.3 ± 0.5) MeV/c(2). We find no evidence for either decay. We obtain upper limits of Br(K(L)→π(0)π(0)X(0)→π(0)π(0)μ(+)μ(-)) < 1.0 × 10(-10) and Br(K(L)→π(0)π(0)μ(+)μ(-)) < 9.2 × 10(-11) at the 90% confidence level. This result rules out the pseudoscalar X(0) as an explanation of the HyperCP result under the scenario that the dsX(0) coupling is completely real.     

Study of the process e+e-→π+π-π0π0 at energies √s< 1 GeV

In an experiment with the Spherical Neutral Detector at VEPP-2M collider the cross section of the process e+e-→π+π-π0π0 was measured. At energies √s < 920 MeV this cross section was measured for the first time. The energy dependence of the cross section is well discribed by the vector dominance model with contributions from ρ, ρ' ρ", mesons. The decay probability ρ→π+π-π0π0was found to be Bρ = (1.60±0.74±0.18)×10-5. The upper limit for the decay ω→π+π-π0π0 was improved by two orders of magnitude compared to the previous measurements and is Bω < 2 × 10-4 at 90% confidence level.     

Study of the process e^＋e^- →π^＋π^-π^0π^0 at energies √s 〈 1 GeV

In an experiment with the Spherical Neutral Detector at VEPP-2M collider the cross section of the process e^＋e^- →π^＋π^-π^0π^0 was measured. At energies √s 〈 920 MeV this cross section was measured for the first time. The energy dependence of the cross section is well discribed by the vector dominance model with contributions from p, p＇, p＂ mesons. The decay probability ρ→π^＋π^-π^0π^0 was found to be Bρ = （1.60±0.74±0.18） × 10^-5. The upper limit for the decay ω→π^＋π^-π^0π^0 was improved by two orders of magnitude compared to the previous measurements and is Bω 〈 2 × 10^-4 at 90% confidence level.     

π0 → γγ in the Spinor Strong Interaction Theory

An expression for the decay rate (⁰ ) has been derived in the frameworkof the spinor strong interaction theory, a first-principles strong interaction theoryproposed some years ago as an alternative to low-energy QCD. The startingpoint is the SO(3) gauge-invariant action for two quark mesons which has beensuccessful in accounting for confinement, ^{+ +} , e⁺, and ⁰ e⁺, nonexistenceof the Higgs boson, and other low-energy mesonic phenomena. The quasi-four-quarkmeson equations developed for the decay of a vector meson into twopseudoscalar mesons V PP has been taken over here to apply to P(⁰) VV(^{+ –}) (plus ⁺ and ^– which annihilate each other). This mechanismin principle agrees with that of the assumption of vector meson dominance inthe literature. It, together with the effect of form factors, arises naturally in theformalism and need not be assumed. Equations for the perturbed vector mesonwave functions cannot be simply solved and an assumption has been made toobtain an estimate of their magnitude. Together with a constant associated withthe strong coupling obtained earlier from V() PP(K⁺K^–), the estimated decayrate is 19.2 eV, in order-of-magnitude agreement with data (7.74 eV).     

Upper limit on the KS→3π0 decay

The search for CP-violating K_S→3π⁰ decay was performed with SND detector at VEPP-2M e⁺e⁻ collider. The total amount of data corresponding to 7 million produced K_S mesons was analyzed. No candidate events were found, giving an upper limit of the decay branching ratio: Br(K_S→3π⁰)<1.4·10⁻⁵ at 90% confidence level.     

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.     

To the problem of KL→π0γγ decay

It is shown that the contribution of diagrams with intermediate state vector mesons to the K_L ⁰ amplitude, intensively discussed in literature in recent years, is close to zero provided that theSU(3) group breaking is taken into account. At the same time, the contribution of scalar mesons in the intermediate state is essential. The obtained estimates for Br(K_L ⁰) conform with the recent experimental data Br(K_L ⁰ )=(2·1 ± 0·6)×10^–6.Dedicated to the memory of our friend Prof. M. Gmitro.We wish to thank S. B. Gerasimov and A. B. Govorkov for useful discussions.     

TheK S 0 →π0 l + l − andK L 0 →π0 l + l − decays in the standard model and the extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model

TheK _S ^{0 0} l ⁺ l ^– andK _L ^{0 0} l ⁺ l ^– decays are considered within the framework of the Standard model in the one-photon exchange approximation, i.e.K _S,L ^{0 0}+ *⁰ +l ⁺ l ^–. To evaluate the low-energy matrix elements of theK ⁰(¯K ⁰)⁰+ * transitions, the constituentquark-loop approximation, based on the extended Nambu-Jona-Lasino (NJL) model, is used. The obtained results are compared with other theoretical estimates and the experimental bounds.     

A test of CPT symmetry in K^0 vs K^0→π^＋π^-π^0 decays

I show that the CP-violating asymmetry in K^0 vs K^0→π^＋π^-π^0 decays differs from that in KL→π^＋π^-, KL →π^0π^0 or the semileptonic KL transitions, if there exists CPT violation in K^0-K^0 mixing. A delicate measurement of this difference at a super flavor factory （e.g., the φ factory） will provide us with a robust test of CPT symmetry in the neutral kaon system.     

A test of CPT symmetry in K0 vs (K-)0→π+π-π0 decays

I show that the CP-violating asymmetry in K0 vs K-0→π+π-π0 decays differs from that in KL→π+π-,KL→π0π0 or the semileptonic KL transitions,if there exists CPT violation in K0-K-0 mixing.A delicate measurement of this difference at a super flavor factory(e.g.,the φ factory)will provide us with a robust test of CPT symmetry in the neutral kaon system.     

Role of the Λ(1600) in the K^-p→Λπ^0π^0 reaction

Role of theΛ(1600)is studied in the K^-p→Λπ^0π^0 reaction by using the effective Lagrangian approach near the threshold.We perform a calculation for the total and differential cross sections by considering the contributions from theΛ(1600)andΛ(1670)intermediate resonances decaying intoπ^0∑^*0(1385)with∑^*0(1385)decaying intoπ^0Λ.Additionally,the non-resonance process from u-channel nucleon pole is also taken into account.With our model parameters,the current experimental data on the total cross sections of the K^-p→Λπ^0π^0 reaction can be well reproduced.It is shown that we really need the contribution from the A(1600)with spin-parity J^P=1/2^+,and that these measurements can be used to determine some of the properties of theΛ(1600)resonance.Furthermore,we also plot theπ0Λinvariant mass distributions which could be tested by the future experimental measurements.     

A test of CPT symmetry in K~0 vs ■~0 →π~+π~-π~0 decays

I show that the CP-violating asymmetry in K0 vs K0 →π+π-π0 decays differs from that in KL →π+π-,KL →π0π0 or the semileptonic KL transitions,if there exists CPT violation in K0-K0 mixing.A delicate measurement of this difference at a super flavor factory(e.g.,the φ factory) will provide us with a robust test of CPT symmetry in the neutral kaon system.     

Measurement of the f1(1285) → π+π−π0 decay

The isospin symmetry-breaking (ISB) decay f ₁(1285) → π⁺π^?π⁰ has been studied at the VES facility. The branching ratio is measured: $\frac{{BR\left( {f_1 \to \pi ^ + \pi ^ - \pi ^0 } \right)}} {{BR\left( {f_1 \to \eta \pi ^ + \pi ^ - } \right)}} = 0.86 \pm 0.16_{ - 0.20}^{ + 0.70} \%Low-energy resonances in ³¹P(p, α ²⁸Si and ³⁵Cl(p, α)³²S were studied directly in order to gain a better understanding of reaction cycling in the Si-Ar region in novae. New resonance strengths at E _c.m. = 600 and 622 keV in ³¹P(p, α)²⁸Si were measured (ωγ _{p, α} = (2.2#x00B1;0.7) × 10^?2 eV and ωγ _{p, α} = (0.99±0.08) eV, respectively) as well as the E _c.m. = 610 keV resonance in ³⁵Cl(p, α)³²S [ωγ _{p, α} = (1.2±0.2) × 10^?2 eV], the lowest energy that any resonance in this reaction has been observed, directly or indirectly. The strengths of these resonances were found to be lower than previously determined, resulting in even weaker cycling in the Si-Ar region.     

Study of the reaction γp → pπ0η

The reaction γp → pπ⁰η has been studied with the CBELSA detector at the tagged photon beam of the Bonn electron stretcher facility. The reaction shows contributions from Δ⁺(1232)η , N(1535)⁺π⁰ and pa ₀(980) as intermediate states. A partial-wave analysis suggests that the reaction proceeds via formation of six Δ -resonances, Δ(1600)P ₃₃ , Δ(1920)P ₃₃ , Δ(1700)D ₃₃ , Δ(1940)D ₃₃ , Δ(1905)F ₃₅ , Δ(2360)D ₃₃ , and two nucleon resonances N(1880)P ₁₁ and N(2200)P ₁₃ , for which pole positions and decay branching ratios are given.