Symmetry breaking and the decays ψ′ → J/ψπ(η) and J/ψ → η(η′) γ

The theoretical mechanisms for the decays ψ′ → ψπ⁰ and ψ′ → ψη, which violate SU₂ and SU₃, respectively discussed. It is argued that symmetry breaking in the decay amplitudes may be as important as π⁰ −η −η′ mixing. The π⁰ −η mechanism ψ′ → ψν → ψπ⁰ leads to Γ(ψ′ → ψπ⁰) = (3.3±1.0) × 10⁻³ Γ(ψ′ → ψν), but this number may be enhanced by a factor as large as 12 by π⁰−η′ mixing and isospin violation in the decay amplitude. The related decays ψ → ηγ and ψ → η′γ are also discussed.     

The reactions pp→pΛK and pp→pΣK near their thresholds

The reactions pp→pΛK⁺ and pp→pΣ⁰K⁺ are studied near their thresholds. The strangeness production process is described by the π- and K exchange mechanisms. Effects from the final state interaction in the hyperon-nucleon system are taken into account rigorously. The Λ production turns out to be dominated by K exchange whereas K- as well as π exchange play an important role for the Σ⁰ case. It is shown that the experimentally observed strong suppression of Σ⁰ production compared to Λ production at the same excess energy can be explained by a destructive interference between π and K exchange in the reaction pp→pΣ⁰K⁺. Implications of such an interference on the reaction pp→nΣ⁺K⁺ are pointed out.     

Upper limit on the decay Σ(1385)→Σγ and cross section for γΣ→Λπ

Coherent Λπ⁻ production on Pb of 600 GeV Σ⁻ hyperons has been studied with the SELEX facility at Fermilab. Using the Primakoff formalism, we set a 90% CL upper limit on the radiative decay width Γ[Σ(1385)⁻→Σ⁻γ]<9.5 keV, and estimate the cross section for γΣ⁻→Λπ⁻ at  GeV to be 56±16 μb.     

On the pp → ppη(η′) reactions near threshold

The production rate for η′ in pp → ppη′ at rest is calculated in a covariant one boson exchange model, previously applied to study π⁰ and η production in NN collisions. The transition amplitudes for the elementary BN → η′N processes with B being the meson exchanged (B = π, σ, η, , ω and a₀) are taken to be the sum of s- and u-channels with a nucleon in the intermediate states, and an a₀ meson pole in a t-channel. The couplings of the η′ to hadrons are a factor 0.4 weaker than the respective η-hadron couplings, as suggested by a quark model and a singlet-octet mixing angle θ = −23°. The model reproduces near threshold cross sections for the quasielastic processes π⁻p → nη(η′) and pp → ppη(η′) reactions.     

Simultaneous measurements of the p+d→(A=3)+π reactions

A stack of annular detectors made of high-purity germanium was used to measure simultaneously pd → ³H π⁺ and pd → ³He π⁰ differential cross sections at beam momenta of 750 MeV/c, 800 MeV/c, and 850 MeV/c over a large angular range. The extracted total cross sections for the pd → ³He π⁰ reactions bridge a gap between near threshold data and those in the resonance region. The ratio of the cross sections for the two reaction channels taken at the same η=p^cm_π/m_π yields 2.11±0.08 indicating that a deviation from isospin symmetry is very small.     

η → 3π to one loop

We calculate the amplitude of the decays η → π⁰π⁺π⁻ and η → π⁰π⁰π⁰ to first non-leading order in the low-energy expansion. It is shown that the infrared singularities of chiral perturbation theory strongly enhance the perturbation generated by the quark mass term. The corrections of order m_s increase the current algebra prediction for the rate by more than a factor of two and remove the well-known discrepancy between the low-energy theorems of current algebra and experiment.     

Predictions for all processes ee → fermions + γ

The complete matrix elements for e⁺e⁻ → 4 and e⁺e⁻ → 4fγy are calculated in the Electroweak Standard Model for polarized massless fermions. The matrix elements for all final states are reduced to a few compact generic functions. Monte Carlo generators for e⁺e⁻ → 4f and e⁺e⁻ → 4fγ are constructed. We compare different treatments of the finite widths of the electroweak gauge bosons; in particular, we include a scheme with a complex gauge-boson mass that obeys all Ward identities. The detailed discussion of numerical results comprises integrated cross sections as well as photon-energy distributions for all different final states.     

Supersymmetric contributions to direct CP violation in K→ππγ decays

We analyze the supersymmetric contributions to direct–CP–violating observables in K→ππγ decays induced by gluino–mediated magnetic–penguin operators. We find that ε′_+−γ and the differential width asymmetry of K^±→π^±π⁰γ decays could be substantially enhanced with respect to their Standard Model values, especially in the scenario where ε′/ε is dominated by supersymmetric contributions. These observables could therefore provide a useful tool to search for New Physics effects in |ΔS|=1 transitions, complementary to ε′/ε and rare decays.     

Effects of non-standard tri-linear couplings in photon-photon collisions (I) γγ → WW

The effect of anomalous couplings in γγ → W⁺W^t- is studied for different energies of the γγ mode of the next linear collider. The analysis based on the maximum likelihood method exploits the variables in the four-fermion semi-leptonic final state. Polarized differential cross sections based on the complete set of diagrams for these channels with the inclusion of anomalous couplings are used and compared to an approximation based on γγ → W⁺W^t- with full spin correlations. To critically compare these results with those obtained in e⁺e^t- we perform an analysis based on the complete calculation of the four-fermion semi-leptonic final state. The anomalous couplings that we consider are derived from the next-to-leading order operators in the non-linear realization of symmetry breaking.     

Regge-pole description of γN→πN backward-scattering data

Baryon Regge-pole contributions to u-channel helicity amplitudes for the γN→πN processes are derived, with attention to kinematic singularities and threshold conditions. An N, Nγ and Δδ Regge-exchange model is proposed that describes the backward scattering data on γp→π^op and γp→π⁺n at high energy. The N and Nγ trajectories are found to be nearly degenerate, with residues in the ratio β(Nγ)/β(N)≈0.6. Structure in the differential cross sections is explained as dominance at small u giving way to dominance at large u. An isoscaar-isovector admixture for the γ-coupling to is required by the fits. The solution extrapolates through the mean γp→π^op 180^o differential cross section at intermediate energies, as required by duality.     

Experimental study of the time-dependent rate of K → πππ

The time-dependence of the decay rate of initially pure K⁰ into the final state (π⁺π⁻π⁰) has been studied in search for the decay k_S⁰→π⁺π⁻π⁰. No evidence is found in a sample of 384 observed events. The ratio of the CP -violating K_S⁰ amplitude and the K_L⁰ amplitude is η₊₋₀ = (0.13_−0.20^+0.17) + i(0.17_−0.26^+0.27); the ratio of the CP-conserving K_S⁰ amplitude and the K_L⁰ amplitude is < 0.4. The energy dependence of the K⁰→π⁺π⁻π⁰ matrix element is found to be a₊₋₀ = −0.31 ± 0.03.     

The NN → NNη reaction close to threshold

The pp → ppη and np → npη reactions at energies near the η production threshold are studied in a non-relativistic one boson exchange model, where the N^* (1535 MeV) S11 resonance is excited through the exchange of π, η, and ω mesons and subsequently decays into an ηN pair. Energy integrated cross sections and energy spectra of the out going η's are reported. Providing NN and ηN final state interactions are taken into account coherently, the model reproduces both the scale and energy dependence of the cross section for the pp → ppη reactions up to 100 MeV. Final state interaction corrections due to the nucleon-nucleon and meson-nucleon forces influence strongly the scale and shape of the cross sections. The shape of the energy spectra of the outgoing η's provides a clear signature of the ηN force.     

B→ηlν decays and the flavor-singlet form factors

We study semileptonic decays B→η^(′)lν, taking into account the flavor-singlet contribution (F^singlet₊) to the B→η^(′) form factors, which arises from the two-gluon emission in a decaying B meson. It has been recently pointed out that, in addition to large weak annihilation effects, the unknown value of F^singlet₊ prevents accurate theoretical estimates in the analysis of B→η′K decays in QCD factorization. We present a certain method to determine F^singlet₊ with a reasonable accuracy, using B→η^(′)lν and B→πlν decays. We also investigate the possible effect of F^singlet₊ on the estimated branching ratios (BRs) for B→η^(′)lν and find that the BR for B→η′lν is particularly sensitive to the effect of F^singlet₊.     

CP test in J/ψ→γφφ decay

We propose to test CP symmetry in the decay J/ψ→γφφ, for which large data sample exists at BESII, and a data sample of 10¹⁰ J/ψ's will be collected with BESIII and CLEO-C program. We suggest some CP asymmetries in this decay mode for CP test. Assuming that CP violation is introduced by the electric- and chromo-dipole moment of charm quark, these CP asymmetries can be predicted by using valence quark models. Our work shows a possible way to get information about the electric- and chromo-dipole moment of charm quark, which is little known. Our results show that with the current data sample of J/ψ, electric- and chromo-dipole moment can be probed at order of 10⁻¹³ e cm. In the near future with a 10¹⁰ data sample, these moments can be probed at order of 10⁻¹⁴ e cm.     

The contribution of Bc mesons to the search for B → τ ντ decays at LEP

We study the contribution of B_c mesons to the search for B → τν_τ decays. We find that at LEP the contributions from B_u and B_c mesons can be comparable. This observation can have a relevant impact on the extraction of constraints on new physics (such as charged-Higgs contributions) from current LEP limits on B → τν final states. Inclusion of the B_c contribution can reduce the current L3 limit on tan β/M_H from 0.38 GeV⁻¹ (90% CL) down to 0.27 GeV⁻¹ (90% CL).     

τ→μγ and μ→eγ as probes of neutrino mass models

We discuss the possibility of discriminating between different supersymmetric see-saw models by improving the experimental sensitivity to charged lepton flavour violating processes. Assuming a hierarchical neutrino mass spectrum, we classify see-saw models according to how the hierarchy Δm²Δm²_atm is generated, and study the predictions of each class for the branching ratios of τ→μγ and μ→eγ. The process τ→μγ is found to be a particularly promising tool to probe the fundamental see-saw parameters, and especially to identify the origin of the large atmospheric mixing angle. Predictions for μ→eγ are more model-dependent. We point out that, even with an improvement of the experimental sensitivities by three orders of magnitude, both τ→μγ and μ→eγ could escape detection in models where Δm²_atm is determined by one of the lightest right-handed neutrinos.     

The decay ω(782)→5π in chiral theory.

The arguments are put forward that the many pion decays ω→2π⁺2π⁻π⁰ and π⁺π⁻3π⁰ provide an ideal test site for testing the predictions of chiral models of the vector meson decays into many pions. Using the approach based on the Weinberg Lagrangian or, in a new language, the Lagrangian of hidden local symmetry added with the term induced by the anomalous Lagrangian of Wess and Zumino, the partial widths of these decays are evaluated, and their excitation curves in e⁺e⁻ annihilation are obtained. The discussed are the perspectives of the experimental study of the decays ω→5π in e⁺e⁻ annihilation and photoproduction.     

A limit on the lepton-family number violating process π → μe

A FNAL E799 Collaboration has carried out a search for the lepton-family number violating decay π⁰ → μ^±e using π⁰'s produced from K_L → π⁰π⁰π⁰ decays in flight. No events were observed. Assuming that lepton-family number violation is charge independent, the 90% confidence level upper limit on

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was determined to be 8.6 × 10⁻⁹.     

Single and double dissociation in πp collisions at 11 and 16 GeV/c

The reactions π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p, π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺π^op and π⁻p → 2π⁻2π⁺n are analysed at 11 and 16 GeV/c using longitudinal phase space (LPS) plots. The weighted LPS distributions for π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p is dominated by two well separated structures corresponding to single diffraction dissociation of the pion, π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)p, and of the proton, π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺p). The former is more abundant than the latter, and both are approximately constant with energy. In contrast, processes of type π⁻p → (2π)(πp) decrease with increasing energy.

In the five-body reactions the weighted LPS distribution reveals especially at 16 GeV/c a maximum for single dissociation of the proton into 3πp, namely π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺π^op); this process is likely to be diffractive. The neutron channel has a corresponding maximum displaced toward a multiperipheral configuration π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻2π⁺)n. Another strong maximum corresponds to the pion dissociation π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺π^o)p. This is interpreted to be an ω-exchange process because no analogous structure occurs in π⁻p → (2π⁻2π⁺)n. Finally, a broad structure reveals double dissociation of both incident particles; it occurs in the two channels π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π^op) and π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π⁺n), being stronger in the latter. Further analysis of this process in terms of isospin exchange suggests that it is partially diffractive. Factorization is also discussed.

An appendix gives general aspects of the LPS analysis for the asymptotic study of n-body collisions at very high energy.     

Chiral-loop and vector-meson contributions to η → ππγγ decays

The process η → π⁰π⁰γγ is discussed in Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT). Special attention is deveted to one-loop corrections, η-η′ mixing effects and vector-meson dominance of ChPT counter-terms. The less interesting η → π⁺π⁻γγ transition is briefly discussed too.