New results on Mesonic Weak Decay of $p$-shell $Lambda$-Hypernuclei


Abstract in English

The FINUDA experiment performed a systematic study of the charged mesonic weak decay channel of $p$-shell $Lambda$-hypernuclei. Negatively charged pion spectra from mesonic decay were measured with magnetic analysis for the first time for ${^{7}_{Lambda}Li}$, ${^{9}_{Lambda}Be}$, ${^{11}_{Lambda}B}$ and ${^{15}_{Lambda}N}$. The shape of the $pi^{-}$ spectra was interpreted through a comparison with pion distorted wave calculations that take into account the structure of both hypernucleus and daughter nucleus. Branching ratios $Gamma_{pi^{-}}/Gamma_{tot}$ were derived from the measured spectra and converted to $pi^{-}$ decay rates $Gamma_{pi^{-}}$ by means of known or extrapolated total decay widths $Gamma_{tot}$ of $p$-shell $Lambda$-hypernuclei. Based on these measurements, the spin-parity assignment $1/2^+$ for ${^{7}_{Lambda}Li}$ and $5/2^+$ for ${^{11}_{Lambda}B}$ ground-state are confirmed and a spin-parity $3/2^+$ for ${^{15}_{Lambda}N}$ ground-state is assigned for the first time.

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