An Approach to the Non-Leptonic Decays of Hyperons

Abstract

The interrelation between the effective weak interaction and the hyperon structure is discussed with the aim of explaining non-leptonic decays of hyperons. A consistent model is found by assuming that Σ- and Λ-hyperons are bound states of [KN] with I=1 and 0, respectively, and that the effective Hamiltonian is given solely by the phenomenological kaon interactions, K→π, 2π, with |ΔI|=1/2. This model leads naturally to the consequences: αΣ0≃-αΛ- and αΣ+≃αΣ-≃0, which are consistent with the experiments. Derivation of this model from the field theory of composite particles is given by the covariant new Tamm-Dancoff approach. Extending our theory to the Ξ decay, it is suggested that the Ξ-hyperon is a superposed state of the configurations [KΣ] and [KΛ]. Finally, comparing the p-wave transition rates of Σ-decay with that of Λ, the co-existence of D- and F-type strong interactions defined by SU3-symmetric theory is shown to be necessary.