Formula omitted] annihilation into π+π− and K +K − from atomic p states

Abstract

We have obtained the branching ratios for p p annihilation at rest into π + π − and K +K − in a pure p p initial angular momentum state L = 1. A gaseous hydrogen target at normal pressure and temperature was used and events associated with transitions of the antiprotonic atom to the 2p level were selected by detecting the Balmer X-ray series. The branching ratios for p p annihilation into π + π − and K +K − from the 2p state are (4.81 ± 0.49) × 10 −3 and (2.87 ± 0.51) × 10 −4, respect The pion yield is slightly larger than in liquid hydrogen, where L = 0 annihilation dominates, while the kaon yield is suppressed by a factor of four. Using these and previous data, we derive the branching ratios for pp annihilation into all ππ and K K modes from S and P states. A measurement in gaseous hydrogen, without X-ray requirement, yields the branching ratios (4.30 ± 0.14) × 10 −3 and (6.92 ± 0.41) × 10 −4. With the known branching ratios of (3.33 ± 0.17) × 10 −3 and (1.01 ± 0.05) × 10 −3 in liquid hydrogen, we find that (50.3 ± 6.4)% of all annihilations in gas at NTP occur in the initial angular momentum state L = 1.