Test of the Nature of the Vector Interaction inβDecay

Abstract

An experiment is proposed to test the theory recently advanced by Feynman and Gell-Mann on the vector interaction in BETA decay. According to the theory, the Fermi coupling constant is not appreclably altered by renormalization, in agreement with experiment. A further property of the theory is exploited here, that analogous gamma and BETA transitions in light nuclel have proportional matrix elements, as far as the V interaction is concerned. In particular, the V interaction gives rise to ''weak magnetism'' analogous to the magnetic effects that induce the emission of M1 photons. This ''weak magnetism'' obeys Gamow-Teller selection rules and interferes with the A coupling, dis- torting the spectra of high-energy BETA transitions with DELTA J = 1 (no). It is suggested that the BETA spectra of B/sup 12/ aad N/sup 12/ be measured accurately and compared. Departure from linearity of the Kurie plot should be noticed in each case; the ratio of the spectra can be calcuated with confidence on the basis of the theory, which predicts a 20% effect. The measured gamma - ray width of the 15.11-Mev state in C/sup 12/ is used in the calculation. (auth)