Mu Capture, Beta Decay, and Pi-Meson Decay
- Creators
- Goldberger, M. L.
Abstract
In the original Yukawa formulation of meson theory, the π meson (as we now believe Yukawa's particle to be) was to provide a natural explanation for β decay. The process π → e + ν[bar] was regarded as an elementary interaction and nuclear β decay was imagined to proceed by the route n → p + π → μ + e + ν[bar]. There are a variety of reasons why this scheme fails. Just the opposite point of view is now generally adopted, namely, that the nuclear β decay is fundamental and that the observed decay of the π meson is to be explained in terms of it. We do not exclude the possibility that β decay be described in terms of an as yet unknown heavy intermediate. Nevertheless, the nuclear β decay is to be regarded as essentially primary. In order to describe the actual dominant π-meson decay mode π → μ + ν[bar] it is necessary to assume the existence of another β decay like process, μ-meson capture. The elementary process may be described as μ + p → n + ν, or equally well as n + p[bar] → μ + ν[bar]; the first is the experimentally observed μ-meson absorption reaction, whereas, the second, the annihilation of a neutron and an antiproton, plays an important role in π-meson decay.
Additional Information
© 1959 The American Physical Society.Attached Files
Published - GOLrmp59.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 48197
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140807-144206136
- Created
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2014-08-07Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2023-06-01Created from EPrint's last_modified field