Interference of Conversion and Bremsstrahlung Amplitudes in the Decay K_L -> mu^+ mu^- gamma

In the region of large mu^+ mu^- invariant mass, the decay spectrum of K_L -> mu^+ mu^- gamma deviates from the Dalitz pair spectrum, as a result of interference between conversion (K_L -> gamma^* gamma -> mu^+ mu^- gamma) and bremsstrahlung amplitudes. The latter is proportional to the K_L -> mu^+ mu^- matrix element, whose 2 gamma-absorptive part appears to dominate the observed K_L -> mu^+ mu^- decay rate. We examine the extent to which a scrutiny of the K_L -> mu^+ mu^- gamma spectrum in the end-point region could provide evidence on the real part of the K_L -> mu^+ mu^- amplitude. As a by-product, we obtain the absorptive part of the K_L -> gamma^* gamma form factor, using data on the K_L -> pi^+ pi^- gamma spectrum.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Time Evolution of Decay Spectrum in K^0, K^0 bar -> pi^+ pi^- e^+ e^-

We consider the decay K^0 (K^0 bar) -> pi^+ pi^- e^+ e^- of a neutral K meson prepared in a state of strangeness +1 (-1). The time evolution of the state produces remarkable time-dependent effects in the angular distribution of the pi^+ pi^- e^+ e^- system. These effects are correlated with the time-dependence of the photon polarization in the radiative decay K^0 (K^0 bar) -> pi^+ pi^- gamma. We study, in particular, the CP-odd, T-odd term in the distribution d Gamma / d phi of the angle between the pi^+ pi^- and the e^+ e^- planes. We also give the spectrum in the case that the decaying meson is an incoherent mixture of K^0 and K^0 bar, and discuss the case of K_S regeneration in a K_L beam.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, minor typos corrected, to appear in Phys. Lett.

PCAC and the Deficit of Forward Muons in pi^+ Production by Neutrinos

The K2K experiment, using a fine-grained detector in a neutrino beam of energy $\sim 1.3 \mathrm{GeV}$ has observed two-track events that can be interpreted as a coherent reaction $\nu_\mu + \N \to \mu^- + \N + \pi^+ (\N = \rm{C}^{12})$ or an incoherent process $\nu_\mu + (p,n) \to \mu^- + \pi^+ + (p,n)$, the final nucleon being unobserved. The data show a significant deficit of forward-going muons in the interval $Q^2 \lesssim 0.1 \rm{GeV}^2$, where a sizeable coherent signal is expected. We attempt an explanantion of this effect, using a PCAC formula that includes the effect of the non-vanishing muon mass. A suppression of about 25 % is caused by a destructive interference of the axial vector and pseudoscalar (pion-exchange) amplitudes. The incoherent background is also reduced by 10 - 15 %. As a consequence the discrepancy between theory and observation is significantly reduced.Comment: 4 pages including 1 figure, changes in abstract and text; version to appear in Phys.Lett.

Status of the KTeV Experiment at Fermilab

The KTeV experiment is a fixed target experiment at Fermilab. Its primary goal is the search for direct CP violation in the decay of neutral kaons. Its current status and some preliminary results will be discussed.Comment: 5 pages Latex, 4 figures; to be published in the proceedings of the XVI International Workshop on Weak Interactions and Neutrinos, WIN '97, Capri, Italy, June 22-28, 199

Flow of entropy in the evolution of the B^0 anti B^0 system: Upper bound on CP violation from unidirectionality

We have previously studied the time-dependence of a B anti B meson mixture in terms of its density matrix. The requirement that the absolute value of the Stokes vector zeta(t) should evolve monotonically from its initial value zeta(0)=0 to its final value zeta(infinity)=1 was shown to lead to an upper bound on the CP violating overlap . In the present note we consider an entropy variable S as an alternative measure of mixing. We show that exactly the same upper bound emerges from the requirement that the flow of entropy is unidirectional (dS/dt<0). We compare the entropic current dS/dt with and without CP violation and identify certain physical features that appear when the bound on is violated.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Typos corrected, comment on entropy added. To be published in Physical Review

W+−H+W^+-H^+ Interference and Partial Width Asymmetry in Top and Antitop Decays

We re-examine the question of a possible difference in the partial decay widths of $t$ and $\overline t$, induced by an intermediate scalar boson $H^+$ with $CP$-violating couplings. The interference of $W^+$ and $H^+$ exchanges is analysed by constructing the $2\times 2$ propagator matrix of the $W^+-H^+$ system, and determining its absorptive part in terms of fermion loops. Results are obtained for the partial rate difference in the channels $t\to bl^+\nu_l$ and $t\to bc\overline s$, which fulfil explicitly the constraints of $CPT$ invariance. These results are contrasted with those in previous work.Comment: 14 pages, report PITHA 94/1

The CP-violating asymmetry in K_L -> pi+ pi- e+ e-

We update the theoretical analysis of the CP-violating asymmetry in the decay K_L -> pi+ pi- e+ e-, relying on chiral perturbation theory and on the most recent phenomenological information. With the experimentally determined magnetic amplitude and branching ratio as input, the asymmetry can be calculated with good accuracy. The theoretical interpretation of the sign of the asymmetry is discussed.Comment: 11 page