The search for proton decay and other rare phenomena

Abstract

We have obtained the first results with a large water Cherenkov counter located in a salt mine in Ohio. (Bionta et al . 1983. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett .) The partial lifetime for the decay p e + π° is found to be longer than the value calculated from the minimal SU(5) theory, with the best presently available estimates for the parameters needed. The detector is sensitive to some other potential decay modes, as well as to some rare phenomena that have been discussed in recent years. The characteristics of the penetrating cosmic ray muons and atmospheric neutrino interactions observed are compatible with expectations.