Abstract
The experiment CPLEAR at CERN has measured an asymmetry between the transition rates of the antikaon to kaon process, and its reverse, kaon to antikaon. The present note shows, based on a criterion by Wolfenstein, that this observation constitutes direct evidence for time-reversal violation. Experiments at FNAL (KTEV) and CERN (NA48) have measured a T-odd asymmetry in the K L decay. Based on an analysis by Sehgal and van Leusen, it is demonstrated that this asymmetry is well described by a (hypothetical) kaon time evolution, which is time-reversal invariant.
Highlights
The experiment CPLEAR at CERN has measured an asymmetry between the transition rates of the antikaon to kaon process, and its reverse, kaon to antikaon
Based on an analysis by Sehgal and van Leusen, it is demonstrated that this asymmetry is well described by a kaon time evolution, which is time-reversal invariant
This note demonstrates three issues. (i) Using the standard treatment of the neutral kaon system, the experimental asymmetry ACPLEAR = 0, found at CERN, satisfies the Wolfenstein criterion, and constitutes direct evidence for time-reversal violation. (ii) As it has been considered “doubtful [3] that any decay experiment by itself can provide direct evidence for timereversal symmetry violation (TRV)”, we discuss the consistency of the Wolfenstein criterion with the standard formalism for the neutral kaon time evolution
Summary
The experiment CPLEAR at CERN has measured an asymmetry between the transition rates of the antikaon to kaon process, and its reverse, kaon to antikaon. The present note shows, based on a criterion by Wolfenstein, that this observation constitutes direct evidence for time-reversal violation.
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