Citation
Alford, William Lumpkin (1953) The Mean Lifetime of V-Particles. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/7EDY-K211. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04212003-085844
Abstract
A maximum-likelihood procedure for determining mean lifetimes of V-particles from cloud chamber data is discussed and applied to samples taken from a group of 134 neutral V-particle decays. For 74 events which were consistent with a decay into a proton and a negative pi meson, a lifetime of (2.5 ± 0.7) x 10-10 sec is obtained. Dividing the data into "low-Q" and "high-Q" groups on the basis of the calculated energy release in the decay, a value of ΤL = (2.9 ± 0.8) x 10-10 sec is found for those cases with 0 < Q ≤ 50 Mev and a value of ΤH = (1.6 ± 0.5) x 10-10 sec is found for those cases with 50 < Q < 150 Mev. While no significant difference exists between these two values, the difference is greater than for other plausible division schemes which are considered.
A qualitative discussion of lifetimes is given for the case of 23 charged V-particle decays. For the charged V-particles these data suggest either a lifetime less than that of the neutral V-particles, provided the sample is homogeneous, or a more likely an apparent average lifetime less than that of the neutral V-particles, if the sample is a mixture of two or more types of particles. The possibility of kappa mesons making up a part of these decays is considered and data indicating lifetimes approximately equal to or longer than 10-9 sec for both the kappa and tau mesons are briefly discussed.
Item Type: | Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.)) |
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Subject Keywords: | (Physics and Mathematics) |
Degree Grantor: | California Institute of Technology |
Division: | Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy |
Major Option: | Physics |
Minor Option: | Mathematics |
Thesis Availability: | Public (worldwide access) |
Research Advisor(s): |
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Thesis Committee: |
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Defense Date: | 1 January 1953 |
Record Number: | CaltechETD:etd-04212003-085844 |
Persistent URL: | https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04212003-085844 |
DOI: | 10.7907/7EDY-K211 |
Default Usage Policy: | No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. |
ID Code: | 1429 |
Collection: | CaltechTHESIS |
Deposited By: | Imported from ETD-db |
Deposited On: | 21 Apr 2003 |
Last Modified: | 17 May 2023 18:47 |
Thesis Files
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PDF (Alford_wl_1953.pdf)
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