CHAPTER 9 - Dynamics of non-leptonic decays of hyperons

Abstract

This chapter discusses the amplitudes for several non-leptonic decays of hyperons. The calculations are based on the quark model of hadrons and on the total effective non-leptonic lagrangian. The chapter presents the decays of the α-hyperon and decays of the Ω -hyperon. The weak interaction of quarks responsible for the non-leptonic decays of hyperons can be of two types—scattering or decay. The chapter also highlights the general form of the amplitude for non-leptonic hyperon decay. It illustrates quark graphs describing the α-hyperon. These decays can be further divided into two classes—external and internal. The s-quark decay in external graphs occurs as if the decay is isolated, which means the quark emits a free π-meson made up of a quark and an antiquark produced in the weak vertex. Creation of the π-meson in internal graphs is more complex and requires participation of other quarks. Both initial and final quarks are symmetrized in scattering, and only final quarks are symmetrized in decay.