CaltechAUTHORS
  A Caltech Library Service

Mean lifetimes of V-particles and heavy mesons

Alford, W. L. and Leighton, R. B. (1953) Mean lifetimes of V-particles and heavy mesons. Physical Review, 90 (4). pp. 622-629. ISSN 0031-899X. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.90.622. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:ALFpr53

[img]
Preview
PDF
See Usage Policy.

2MB

Use this Persistent URL to link to this item: https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:ALFpr53

Abstract

A maximum-likelihood procedure for determining mean lifetimes of V-particles from cloud-chamber data is applied to samples taken from a group of 134 neutral V-particle decays. For 74 events which were consistent with a decay into a proton and a negative π-meson, a lifetime of (2.5±0.7)×10-10 sec is obtained. Dividing the data into "low Q" and "high Q" groups on the basis of the calculated energy release in the decay, a value of τL=(2.9±0.8)×10-10 sec is found for those cases with 0<~Q<~50 Mev and a value of τH=(1.6±0.5)×10-10 sec is found for those cases with 50<Q<~150 Mev. While no significant difference exists between these two values, the difference is greater than for other plausible division schemes which are considered. A qualitative discussion of lifetimes is given for the case of 23 charged V-particle decays. For the charged V-particles these data suggest either a lifetime less than that of the neutral V-particles, provided the sample is homogeneous, or, more likely, an apparent average lifetime less than that of the neutral V-particles, if the sample is a mixture of two or more types of particles. The possibility that κ- and/or χ-mesons make up a part of these decays is considered.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.90.622DOIUNSPECIFIED
Additional Information:©1953 The American Physical Society. Received 2 February 1953. Supported in part by the joint program of the U. S. Office of Naval Research and the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Issue or Number:4
DOI:10.1103/PhysRev.90.622
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:ALFpr53
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:ALFpr53
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:4270
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:11 Aug 2006
Last Modified:08 Nov 2021 20:16

Repository Staff Only: item control page