A Measurement of the Branching Ratio of the Weak Radiative Hyperon Decay $$\Xi^0 \to \Lambda \gamma$$

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1433221· OSTI ID:1433221

James, Catherine Chase ^[1]

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1. Minnesota U.

The branching ratio $$\Xi^0 \to \Lambda \gamma$$ / $$\Xi^0 \to \Lambda \pi^0$$ has been measured at the Fermilab National Acceleator Laboratory neutral hyperon facility. 30,000 $$\Xi^0 \to \Lambda \pi^0$$ decays were detected by identifying the subsequent $$\Lambda \to p \pi^-$$ and $$\pi^0 \to \gamma\gamma$$ decays in a multi wire proportional chamber magnetic spectrometer and an array of lead glass. A sample of 6.7 x $10^5$ $$\Lambda = \gamma$$ events were analyzed for $$\Xi^0 \to \Lambda \gamma$$ decays. A sample of 139 ± 12 $$\Xi^0 \to \Lambda \gamma$$ decays were identified. Monte Carlo studies gave the relative acceptances of the two decay types in the apparatus, and in turn the branching ratio. The branching ratio is 1.27 ± 0.11 x $$10^{-3}$$, with a possible systematic error of ± 0.22 x $$10^{-3}$$.

• Research Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 1433221
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-THESIS-1987-02; RX-1189 (MINNESOTA); 251841
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS