Rare Kaon Decays in the 1/Nc1/N_c-Expansion

We study the unknown coupling constants that appear at order $p^4$ in the Chiral Perturbation Theory analysis of $K \to \pi \gamma^* \to \pi l^+ l^-$, $K^{+-} \to \pi^{+-} \gamma \gamma$ and $K \to \pi \pi \gamma$ decays. To that end, we compute the chiral realization of the $\Delta S \, = \, 1$ Hamiltonian in the framework of the $1/N_c$-expansion of the low-energy action. The phenomenological implications are also discussed.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX, CPT-92/P.279

Search for the decay K+→π+ννˉK^+\to \pi^+ \nu \bar\nu in the momentum region Pπ<195 MeV/cP_\pi < 195 {\rm ~MeV/c}

We have searched for the decay $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar\nu$ in the kinematic region with pion momentum below the $K^+ \to \pi^+ \pi^0$ peak. One event was observed, consistent with the background estimate of $0.73\pm 0.18$. This implies an upper limit on $B(K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar\nu)< 4.2\times 10^{-9}$ (90% C.L.), consistent with the recently measured branching ratio of $(1.57^{+1.75}_{-0.82}) \times 10^{-10}$, obtained using the standard model spectrum and the kinematic region above the $K^+ \to \pi^+ \pi^0$ peak. The same data were used to search for $K^+ \to \pi^+ X^0$, where $X^0$ is a weakly interacting neutral particle or system of particles with $150 < M_{X^0} < 250 {\rm ~MeV/c^2}$.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Further search for the decay K+→π+ννˉK^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar \nu in the momentum region P < 195 MeV/c

We report the results of a search for the decay $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar \nu$ in the kinematic region with $\pi^+$ momentum $140 < P < 195$ MeV/c using the data collected by the E787 experiment at BNL. No events were observed. When combined with our previous search in this region, one candidate event with an expected background of $1.22 \pm 0.24$ events results in a 90% C.L. upper limit of $2.2 \times 10^{-9}$ on the branching ratio of $K^+ \to \pi^+ \nu \bar \nu$. We also report improved limits on the rates of $K^+ \to \pi^+ X^0$ and $K^+ \to \pi^+ X^1 X^2$ where $X^0, X^1, X^2$ are hypothetical, massless, long-lived neutral particles.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Saturation of counterterms by resonances in K→πe+e−K \to \pi e^{+} e^{-} decays

The decays $K^{+} \rightarrow \pi^{+} e^{+} e^{-}$, $K_{S} \rightarrow \pi^{0} e^{+} e^{-}$ and $K_{L} \rightarrow \pi^{0} e^{+} e^{-}$ are reinvestigated within the framework of chiral perturbation theory. The counterterms induced by strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions are determined assuming the resonance exchange. The weak deformation model, the factorization model and the large $N_{c}$ limit are used to create a weak Lagrangian. It is found that the results of the first two approaches depend on the $H_{1}$ coupling, defined in the effective chiral Lagrangian of the ${\it O} (p^{4})$ order. The set of parameters used in the extended Nambu and Jona-Lasinio model can accommodete $K^{+} \rightarrow \pi^{+} e^{+} e^{-}$ decay rate within the factorization approach. The CP violating $K_{L} \rightarrow \pi^{0} e^{+} e^{-}$ decay rate is discussed.Comment: 24 pages, LaTe

New hadrons as ultra-high energy cosmic rays

Ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) protons produced by uniformly distributed astrophysical sources contradict the energy spectrum measured by both the AGASA and HiRes experiments, assuming the small scale clustering of UHECR observed by AGASA is caused by point-like sources. In that case, the small number of sources leads to a sharp exponential cutoff at the energy E<10^{20} eV in the UHECR spectrum. New hadrons with mass 1.5-3 GeV can solve this cutoff problem. For the first time we discuss the production of such hadrons in proton collisions with infrared/optical photons in astrophysical sources. This production mechanism, in contrast to proton-proton collisions, requires the acceleration of protons only to energies E<10^{21} eV. The diffuse gamma-ray and neutrino fluxes in this model obey all existing experimental limits. We predict large UHE neutrino fluxes well above the sensitivity of the next generation of high-energy neutrino experiments. As an example we study hadrons containing a light bottom squark. These models can be tested by accelerator experiments, UHECR observatories and neutrino telescopes.Comment: 17 pages, revtex style; v2: shortened, as to appear in PR

Rare KK Decays

The rare decays of the $K$ meson have had a long tradition as a laboratory for testing the symmetry properties of the weak interactions, and the manner in which these symmetries are broken by higher order effects. Present--day interest is focussed on decays that are suppressed by $CP$--symmetry or GIM symmetry. Such decays, in the standard theory, are sensitive to effects of the virtual top quark, and could also reveal new interactions transcending the standard model. In addition, the radiative decays of the $K$ meson have become a useful testing--ground for effective Lagrangians describing the low energy interactions of pions, kaons and photons.Comment: Invited Talk at the Third Workshop on High Energy Particle Physics (WHEPP 3) Madras, 1994, LaTex, 14 pages, 3 figures available upon reques

Prospects for observing K/sup +/. -->. pi. /sup +/nu anti nu

We report on the progress of experiment 787 at Brookhaven National Laboratory designed to study K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..pi../sup +/ + '...', where '...' is a one or more feebly interacting neutrals. The experiment will have an initial sensitivity of 2 x 10/sup -10/ for two or more particles (e.g., K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..pi../sup +/nu anti nu), and 4 x 10/sup -11/ for one particle (e.g., K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..pi../sup +/ + axion). The experiment can also study such reactions as K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..pi../sup +/..gamma gamma.., K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..pi../sup +/..mu../sup + -/e/sup - +/, K/sup +/ ..-->.. ..mu../sup +/nu..gamma.., ..pi../sup 0/ ..-->.. nu anti nu, and ..pi../sup 0/ ..-->.. e/sup +/e/sup -/. 6 refs., 4 figs

A high resolution detector for H{sup 0} {yields} {gamma}{gamma}

SSC detectors represent a challenging departure, both in size and precision, from currently operating detectors. In this note we enumerate some of the benefits of using high magnetic fields both to simplify the detector and improve its resolution and sensitivity. We have chosen an arrangement optimized to search for the reaction H{sup 0} {yields} {gamma}{gamma}. The arrangement also has the excellent momentum resolution for muons and electrons considered critical for the discovery of such processes as H{sup 0} {yields} Z{sup 0}Z{sup 0} {yields} {ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup {minus}}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup {minus}}, H{sup 0} {yields} Z{sup 0}Z{sup 0} {yields} {ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup {minus}}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup {minus}}, new and narrow vector bosons, and bound states of extra generational quarks. This detection scheme represents an improvement in the H{sup 0} {yields} {gamma}{gamma} mass resolution of at least a factor of 7 beyond the best currently proposed detectors. In addition, we have a significantly improved rejection of common H{sup 0} {yields} {gamma}{gamma} backgrounds. As indeed most experiments do not exceed their initial projections, this extra factor could insure the unambiguous discovery of this decay should it indeed occur. As no reasonably realistic detector can achieve excellent detection for all physics signatures we chose to give tip on excellent hadron calorimetry. For Higgs masses between 80 and 150 GeV/c{sup 2} the Higgs decay into two photons is an excellent signature. To date, all attempts to search for this decay mode have centered on the use of electromagnetic calorimetry. We are proposing a different approach. We will convert the two photons close to the production point and measure the momenta of the electron pairs