First observation of K{L}-->pi{+/-}e{-/+}nue{+}e{-}

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Aug 24;99(8):081803. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.081803. Epub 2007 Aug 24.

Abstract

This Letter is the first report of the K{L}-->pi{+/-}e{-/+}nue{+}e{-} decay. Based on 19 208+/-144 events, we determine the branching fraction, B(K{L}-->pi{+/-}e{-/+}nue{+}e{-}M_{e{+}e{-}}>5 MeV/c{2},E{e{+}e{-}}{*}>30 MeV)=(1.285+/-0.041)x10{-5}, and Gamma(K{e3ee}M{e{+}e{-}}>5 MeV/c{2})/Gamma(K{e3})=[4.57+/-0.04(stat)+/-0.14(syst)]x10{-5}. This ratio agrees with a theoretical prediction based on chiral perturbation theory (ChPT) calculated to O(p{4}). The measured kinematical distributions agree with those predicted by just ChPT O(p{4}), but show significant disagreement with ones predicted by leading-order ChPT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.