The NA48/2 experiment at CERN collected a large sample of charged kaon decays to final states with multiple charged particles in 2003–2004. A new upper limit on the rate of the lepton number ...violating decay K±→π∓μ±μ± is reported: B(K±→π∓μ±μ±)<8.6×10−11 at 90% CL. Searches for two-body resonances X in K±→πμμ decays (such as heavy neutral leptons N4 and inflatons χ) are also presented. In the absence of signals, upper limits are set on the products of branching fractions B(K±→μ±N4)B(N4→πμ) and B(K±→π±X)B(X→μ+μ−) for ranges of assumed resonance masses and lifetimes. The limits are in the (10−11,10−9) range for resonance lifetimes below 100 ps.
The NA48/2 experiment at CERN reports the first observation of the K±→π±π0e+e− decay from an exposure of 1.7×1011 charged kaon decays recorded in 2003–2004. A sample of 4919 candidates with 4.9% ...background contamination allows the determination of the branching ratio in the full kinematic region, BR(K±→π±π0e+e−)=(4.24±0.14)×10−6. The study of the kinematic space shows evidence for a structure dependent contribution in agreement with predictions based on chiral perturbation theory. Several P- and CP-violating asymmetries are also evaluated.
Several unexpected astrophysical observations can be explained by gravitationally captured massive axions or axion-like particles, which are produced inside the Sun or other stars and are accumulated ...over cosmic times. Their radiative decay in solar outer space would give rise to a ‘self-irradiation’ of the whole star, providing the time-independent component of the corona heating source (we do not address here the flaring Sun). In analogy with the Sun-irradiated Earth atmosphere, the temperature and density gradient in the corona–chromosphere transition region is suggestive for an omnipresent irradiation of the Sun, which is the strongest evidence for the generic axion-like scenario. The same mechanism is compatible with phenomena like the solar wind, the X-rays from the dark-side of the Moon, the X-ray background radiation, the diffuse X-ray excesses (below ∼1 keV), the non-cooling of oldest stars, etc. A temperature of ∼10
6 K is observed in various places, while the radiative decay of a population of such elusive particles mimics a hot gas, which fits unexpected astrophysical X-ray observations. Furthermore, the recently reconstructed quiet solar X-ray spectrum during solar minimum supports this work, since it covers the expected energy range, and it is consistent with the result of a simulation based on Kaluza–Klein axions above ∼1 keV. The derived axion luminosity (
L
a≈0.16
L
⊙) fits the cosmic energy density spectrum and is compatible within 2
σ with the recent SNO result, showing the important interplay between any exotic energy loss mechanism and neutrino production. At lower energies, using also a ROSAT observation, only ∼3% of the X-ray intensity is explained. Data from orbiting X-ray telescopes provide upper limits for particle decay rates 1 a.u. from the Sun, and suggest new types of searches on Earth or in space. In particular, X-ray observatories, with an unrivalled equivalent fiducial volume of ∼10
3 m
3 for the 0.1–10 keV range, can search for the radiative decay of new particles even from existing data. This work introduces the elongation angle of the X-ray telescope relative to the Sun as a relevant new parameter.
The NA62 experiment collected a large sample of charged kaon decays in 2007 with a highly efficient trigger for decays into electrons. A measurement of the π0 electromagnetic transition form factor ...slope parameter from 1.11×106 fully reconstructed K±→π±πD0, πD0→e+e−γ events is reported. The measured value a=(3.68±0.57)×10−2 is in good agreement with theoretical expectations and previous measurements, and represents the most precise experimental determination of the slope in the time-like momentum transfer region.
A sample of 1.69×107 fully reconstructed π0→γe+e− decay candidates collected by the NA48/2 experiment at CERN in 2003–2004 is analyzed to search for the dark photon (A′) production in the π0→γA′ ...decay followed by the prompt A′→e+e− decay. No signal is observed, and an exclusion region in the plane of the dark photon mass mA′ and mixing parameter ε2 is established. The obtained upper limits on ε2 are more stringent than the previous limits in the mass range 9 MeV/c2<mA′<70 MeV/c2. The NA48/2 sensitivity to the dark photon production in the K±→π±A′ decay is also evaluated.
Several unexpected astrophysical observations can be explained by gravitationally captured massive axions or axion-like particles produced inside the Sun or other stars. Their radiative decay in ...solar outer space would give rise to a ‘self-irradiation’ of the whole star, providing the missing corona heating source. In analogy with the Sun-irradiated Earth atmosphere, the temperature and density gradient in the corona−chromosphere transition region is suggestive for an omnipresent irradiation of the Sun, which is the strongest evidence for the generic axion-like scenario. The radiative decay of a population of such elusive particles mimics a hot gas. The recently reconstructed quiet solar X-ray spectrum supports this work, since it covers the expected energy range, and it is consistent with the result of a simulation based on Kaluza–Klein axions above ∼1 keV. At lower energies, using also a ROSAT observation, only ∼3% of the solar X-ray intensity is explained. Data from orbiting X-ray Telescopes provide upper limits for particle decay rates 1 AU from the Sun, and suggest new types of searches on Earth or in space. In particular, X-ray observatories, with an unrivalled equivalent fiducial volume of ∼103 m3 for the 0.1–10 keV range, can search for the radiative decay of new particles even from existing data.
We have studied published data from the Yohkoh solar X-ray mission with the purpose of searching for signals from radiative decays of new, as yet undiscovered massive neutral particles. This search ...is based on the prediction that solar axions of the Kaluza-Klein type should result in the emission of X- rays from the Sun direction beyond the limb with a characteristic radial distribution. These X-rays should be observed more easily during periods of quiet Sun. An additional signature is the observed emission of hard X-rays by the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM), the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), and RHESSI. The recent observation made by RHESSI of a continuous emission from the nonflaring Sun of X-rays in the 3 to approx15 keV range fits the generic axion scenario. This work also suggests new analyses of existing data in order to exclude instrumental effects; it provides the rationale for targeted observations with present and upcoming (solar) X-ray telescopes, which can provide the final answer to the nature of the signals considered here. Such measurements become more promising during the forthcoming solar cycle minimum with an increased number of quiet-Sun periods.
A
bstract
A measurement of the form factors of charged kaon semileptonic decays is presented, based on 4.4 × 10
6
K
±
→
π
0
e
±
ν
e
(
K
e
3
±
) and 2.3 × 10
6
K
±
→
π
0
μ
±
ν
μ
(
K
μ
3
±
) decays ...collected in 2004 by the NA48/2 experiment. The results are obtained with improved precision as compared to earlier measurements. The combination of measurements in the
K
e
3
±
and
K
μ
3
±
modes is also presented.
A sample of 7253 K±→π±e+e−(γ) decay candidates with 1.0% background contamination has been collected by the NA48/2 experiment at the CERN SPS, which allowed a precise measurement of the decay ...properties. The branching ratio in the full kinematic range was measured to be BR=(3.11±0.12)×10−7, where the uncertainty includes also the model dependence. The shape of the form factor W(z), where z=(Mee/MK)2, was parameterized according to several models, and, in particular, the slope δ of the linear form factor W(z)=W0(1+δz) was determined to be δ=2.32±0.18. A possible CP violating asymmetry of K+ and K− decay widths was investigated, and a conservative upper limit of 2.1×10−2 at 90% CL was established.
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