M. Bychkov

Precise measurement of the pi+ ---> pi0 e+ nu branching ratio

Using a large acceptance calorimeter and a stopped pion beam we have made a precise measurement of the rare pi(+)-->pi(0)e(+)nu (pi(beta)) decay branching ratio. We have evaluated the branching ratio by normalizing the number of observed pi(beta) decays to the number of observed pi(+)-->e(+)nu (pi(e2)) decays. We find the value of Gamma(pi(+)-->pi(0)e(+)nu)/Gamma(total)=[1.036+/-0.004(stat)+/-0.004(syst)+/-0.003(pi(e2))]x10(-8), where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third is the pi(e2) branching ratio uncertainty. Our result agrees well with the standard model prediction.

Precise Measurement of the Pion Axial Form Factor in the pi^+ ¿ e^+nugamma Decay

We have studied radiative pion decays pi(+)-->e(+)nugamma in three broad kinematic regions using the PIBETA detector and a stopped pion beam. Based on Dalitz distributions of 41 601 events we have evaluated absolute pi-->enugamma branching ratios in the three regions. Minimum chi(2) fits to the integral and differential (E(e(+)),E(gamma)) distributions result in the axial-to-vector weak form factor ratio of gamma identical with F(A)/F(V)=0.443(15), or F(A)=0.0115(4) with F(V)=0.0259. However, deviations from standard model predictions in the high-E(gamma)-low-E(e(+)) kinematic region indicate the need for further theoretical and experimental work.

Nab: Measurement principles, apparatus and uncertainties

The Nab collaboration will perform a precise measurement of a, the electron-neutrino correlation parameter, and b, the Fierz interference term in neutron beta decay, in the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the SNS, using a novel electric/magnetic field spectrometer and detector design. The experiment is aiming at the 10{sup -3} accuracy level in {Delta}a/a, and will provide an independent measurement of {lambda} = G{sub A}/G{sub V}, the ratio of axial-vector to vector coupling constants of the nucleon. Nab also plans to perform the first ever measurement of b in neutron decay, which will provide an independent limit on the tensor weak coupling.

Design, commissioning and performance of the PIBETA detector at PSI

Abstract We describe the design, construction and performance of the PIBETA detector built for the precise measurement of the branching ratio of pion beta decay, π + →π 0 e + ν e , at the Paul Scherrer Institute. The central part of the detector is a 240-module spherical pure CsI calorimeter covering ∼3 π sr solid angle. The calorimeter is supplemented with an active collimator/beam degrader system, an active segmented plastic target, a pair of low-mass cylindrical wire chambers and a 20-element cylindrical plastic scintillator hodoscope. The whole detector system is housed inside a temperature-controlled lead brick enclosure, which in turn is lined with cosmic muon plastic veto counters. Commissioning and calibration data were taken during two 3-month beam periods in 1999/2000 with π + stopping rates between 1.3·10 3 π + / s and 1.3·10 6 π + / s . We examine the timing, energy and angular detector resolution for photons, positrons and protons in the energy range of 5– 150 MeV , as well as the response of the detector to cosmic muons. We illustrate the detector signatures for the assorted rare pion and muon decays and their associated backgrounds.

New Precise Measurement of the Pion Weak Form Factors in the Pi+ -> e+ nu gamma Decay

We have measured the pi+-->e+ nugamma branching ratio over a wide region of phase space, based on a total of 65 460 events acquired using the PIBETA detector. Minimum-chi2 fits to the measured (E(e+), E(gamma) energy distributions result in the weak form factor value of F(A)=0.0119(1) with a fixed value of F(V)=0.0259. An unconstrained fit yields F(V)=0.0258(17) and F(A)=0.0117(17). In addition, we have measured a=0.10(6) for the dependence of F(V) on q2, the e+ nu pair invariant mass squared, parametrized as F(V)(q2)=F(V)(0)(1+aq(2)). The branching ratio for the kinematic region E(gamma)>10 MeV and theta(e(+)gamma)>40 degrees is measured to be B(expt)=73.86(54)x10(-8). Earlier deviations we reported in the high-E(gamma)-low-E(e+) kinematic region are resolved without a tensor term. We also derive new values for the pion polarizability alpha(E)=2.78(10)x10(-4) fm3 and neutral pion lifetime tau(pi0)=(8.5+/-1.1)x10(-17) s.

Precise Measurement of the π+ → e+v Branching Ratio

The PEN Collaboration is conducting a new measurement of the π+ → e + vL branching ratio at the Paul Scherrer Institute, with the goal uncertainty of δB/B πe2 = 5 × 10−4 or lower. At present, the combined accuracy of all published πe2 decay measurements lags behind the theoretical calculation by a factor of 40. In this contribution we report on the PEN detector configuration and its performance during two development runs done in 2007 and 2008.

New Precise Measurement of the Pion Weak Form Factors in π+ → e+νγ Decay

We have measured the pi+-->e+ nugamma branching ratio over a wide region of phase space, based on a total of 65 460 events acquired using the PIBETA detector. Minimum-chi2 fits to the measured (E(e+), E(gamma) energy distributions result in the weak form factor value of F(A)=0.0119(1) with a fixed value of F(V)=0.0259. An unconstrained fit yields F(V)=0.0258(17) and F(A)=0.0117(17). In addition, we have measured a=0.10(6) for the dependence of F(V) on q2, the e+ nu pair invariant mass squared, parametrized as F(V)(q2)=F(V)(0)(1+aq(2)). The branching ratio for the kinematic region E(gamma)>10 MeV and theta(e(+)gamma)>40 degrees is measured to be B(expt)=73.86(54)x10(-8). Earlier deviations we reported in the high-E(gamma)-low-E(e+) kinematic region are resolved without a tensor term. We also derive new values for the pion polarizability alpha(E)=2.78(10)x10(-4) fm3 and neutral pion lifetime tau(pi0)=(8.5+/-1.1)x10(-17) s.

NEW RESULTS IN RARE ALLOWED MUON AND PION DECAYS

Simple dynamics, few available decay channels, and highly controlled radiative and loop corrections, make pion and muon decays a sensitive means of exploring details of the underlying symmetries. We review the current status of the rare decays: π+ → e+ν (πe2), π+ → e+νγ (πe2γ), π+ → π0e+ν (πe3), and

New studies of allowed pion and muon decays

\mu^+ \to e^+\nu \bar{\nu}\gamma

Neutron Beta Decay Studies with Nab

. For the latter we report new preliminary values for the branching ratio B(Eγ > 10 MeV, θeγ > 30°) = 4.365 (9)stat (42)syst × 10-3, and the decay parameter