Radiative Decays, Nonet Symmetry and SU(3) Breaking

Abstract

We re-examine the problem of simultaneously describing in a consistent way all radiative and leptonic decays of light mesons (V {yields} P{gamma}, P {yields} V{gamma}, P {yields} {gamma}{gamma}, V {yields} e{sup +}e{sup -}). For this purpose, we rely on the Hidden Local Symmetry model in both its anomalous and non-anomalous sectors. We show that the SU(3) symmetry breaking scheme proposed by Bando, Kugo and Yamawaki, supplemented with nonet symmetry breaking in the pseudoscalar sector, allows one to reach a nice agreement with all data, except for the K*{sup {+-}} radiative decay. An extension of this breaking pattern allows one to account for this particular decay mode too. Considered together, the whole set of radiative decays provides a pseudoscalar mixing angle {theta}{sub P} {approx_equal} and a value for {theta}{sub V} which is {approx_equal} 3{sup o} from that of ideal mixing. We also show that it is impossible, in a practical sense, to disentangle the effects of nonet symmetry breaking and those of glue inside the {eta}{prime}, using only light meson decays.