Parity Nonconservation inβDecay

Abstract

The nonconservation of parity in $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay implies that electrons emitted from unoriented nuclei are polarized along their line of flight. Also, if the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ process is followed by a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ radiation, the angular distribution of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ quantum with respect to the electron direction depends on its circular polarization. Formulas relevant for such experiments as well as for the angular distribution of electrons from oriented nuclei are presented. The results, which include Coulomb corrections, are given for scalar, tensor, and pseudoscalar interactions in the cases of allowed and first-forbidden transitions. The formulas show that an experimental determination of the relative sign of the scalar and tensor coupling constants should be possible.