Phenomenological structure of the weak Lambda N-->NN interaction and the Delta I=1/2 rule.

Abstract

We study the implications of new data (from Brookhaven) on features of the weak nonmesonic decays of \ensuremath{\Lambda} hypernuclei and on our understanding of the \ensuremath{\Lambda}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}NN process. We follow the phenomenological analysis of Block and Dalitz; there is no need, however, to assume the validity of the \ensuremath{\Delta}I=1/2 rule. The importance of and need for higher-quality and newer data are demonstrated.