Recent measurements of kaon decays provide new information about CKM unitarity, lepton universality, and discrete symmetries. KLOE-2, the proposed extension of the kaon physics program at Frascati, will extend the world data set on kaon decays and conduct interference measurements with neutral kaons. Meanwhile, the decays K \to πν\barν can be directly related to the CKM matrix elements with minimal theoretical uncertainty, and are the focus of a series of experiments. Several events of K+ \to π+ν\barν have been observed to date; the goal of the NA62 experiment at CERN is to perform an O(100)-event measurement in this channel. Initiatives in Japan--the E391a experiment at KEK, to become E14 at J-PARC--are focused on collecting a few KL \to \pi0ν\barν events in a first step, while working towards an O(100)-event measurement. Experiments capable of performing O(1000)-event measurements in both channels have been discussed.
I give an overview of current plans for kaon physics at BNL. The program is centered on the rare decay modes K+ --> pi+ nu nubar and KL --> pi0 nu nubar.
Numerous recent measurements of kaon decays are described, with an emphasis on results offering constraints on chiral perturbation theory calculations. An up-to-date estimate of |Vus|f+(0) based on semileptonic kaon decay rates is presented.
Searches for lepton flavour violation and lepton number violation in kaon decays by the NA62 and NA48/2 experiments at CERN are presented. A new measurement of the ratio of charged kaon leptonic decay rates $R_K=Γ(K_{e2})/Γ(K_{\mu2})$ to sub-percent relative precision is discussed. An improved upper limit on the lepton number violating $K^\pm\rightarrowπ^\mpμ^\pmμ^\pm$ decay rate is also reported. The future 10% precision measurement of the branching ratio of the ultra-rare kaon decay $K^+\rightarrowπ^+ν\barν$ with the NA62 experiment is finally reviewed.
We describe the KLOE detector at DAFNE, and its physics program. The impact of our results on flavor and hadron physics to date, as well as an outlook for further improvement in the near future, are discussed.
Kaon physics can test new-physics effects in leptonic or semileptonic decays. A unitarity test of the first row of the CKM mixing matrix is obtained from the precision measurements of Kl3 widths for K{\pm}, KL, and (unique to KLOE) KS. The KLOE measurement of RK = Γ(Ke2)/Γ(Kμ2) with an accuracy at the % level, aims at finding evidence of deviations from the SM prediction induced by lepton-flavor violation new-physics effects.
The phi-factory DAPHNE offers a possibility to select pure kaon beams, charged and neutral ones. In particular, neutral kaons from phi->KS KL are produced in pairs and the detection of a KS (KL) tags the presence of a KL (KS). This allows to perform precise measurements of kaon properties by means of KLOE detector. Another advantage of a phi-factory consists in fact that the neutral kaon pairs are produced in a pure quantum state (J^(PC) = 1^(--)), which allowsto investigate CP and CPT symmetries via quantum interference effects, as well as the basic principles of quantum mechanics.A review of…
This paper summarizes some recent progress and future perspectives in the experimental investigation of the Standard Model (and physics beyond it) using charged kaon decays, except for the important mode K+ -> pi+ nu nubar discussed in detail in other contributions to this workshop.
This article presents a review of recent results and an outlook of kaon physics. After enjoying a renaissance, the discipline is now becoming and endangered species. Action will be needed to keep kaon physics at the heart of future FPCP meetings.
The most recent progress and future prospects in kaon physics are reviewed. Main results are the first observation of the rare decays KS->pi0ee and KS->pi0mumu by NA48, new K+->pinunu event observed by E949 and new precision measurements of K0->pienu decays by KTeV, KLOE and NA48 made in an effort to resolve the slight deviation from the unitarity in the CKM matrix, involving the |Vus| coupling.
In the recent year many new results from kaon decays have been reported from both the NA48 experiment at CERN and the KTeV experiment at Fermilab. Both experiments have new and improved measurements of the parameter Re(epsilon'/epsilon) of direct CP violation in the neutral kaon system. Also several new results on rare and very rare K_L decays were reported. In addition, the NA48 collaboration has performed special high-intensity K_S run periods, with the first results now being available.
The availability of high-intensity kaon beams at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility and the CERN SPS North Area, together with the abundant forward production of kaons at the LHC, gives rise to unique possibilities for sensitive tests of the Standard Model in the quark flavor sector. Precise measurements of the branching ratios for the flavor-changing neutral current decays $K\toπν\barν$ can provide unique constraints on CKM unitarity and, potentially, evidence for new physics. Building on the success of the current generation of fixed-target experiments, initiatives are taking shape in b…
At present, the main topics addressed by kaon physics are the unitarity test of CKM matrix via precision measurements of the Cabibbo angle as well as precision tests of discrete symmetries: in particular, study of possible CPT violations in a model-independent way through the Bell-Steinberger relation, or through the measurement of charge asymmetries. Other interesting topics are related to the test of predictions from chiral perturbation theory. Also status and prospects of the $K^\pm \to π^\pmν\bar(nu)$ and $K^0\toπ^0ν\bar(nu) decays are discussed.
Precision data on Kl3 and Kl2 decay rates and form factors allow us to perform significant tests of lepton universality and to constrain the strength of non-standard interactions. The present status of these tests and new physics searches are discussed, as obtained by combining all the available results of the various kaon physics experiments.
Despite not being designed for it, the LHCb experiment has given world-leading contributions in kaon and hyperon physics. In this contribution I review the prospects for kaon physics at LHCb exploiting the already acquired data and the current and future Upgrade scenarios.
The Kaon physics program at CERN will be shortly presented, addressing the most recent results from the NA48/2 and NA62 experiments at the CERN SPS and future prospects.
In this paper we discuss the recent finalized analyses by the KLOE experiment at DA$Φ$NE: the CPT and Lorentz invariance test with entangled $K^0 \bar{K}^0$ pairs, and the precision measurement of the branching fraction of the decay ${ K^+} \rightarrow π^+π^-π^+(γ)$. We also present the status of an ongoing analysis aiming to precisely measure the $K^{\pm} $ mass.
The rare kaon decay program at BNL is summarized. A brief review of recent results is provided along with a discussion of prospects for the future of this program. The primary focus is the two golden modes: k+->pnn and kl->pnn. The first step in an ambitious plan to precisely measure both branching ratios has been successfully completed with the observation of two k+->pnn events by E787. The E949 experiment is poised to reach an order of magnitude further in sensitivity and to observe ~10 Standard Model events.
The most precise determination of Vus comes from semileptonic kaon decays. We have measured with the KLOE detector at DAFNE, the Frascati phi-factory, all the experimental inputs to Vus for both neutral and charged kaons. Using our results we extract the value of Vus with about 0.9% fractional error, which is entirely dominated by the theoretical error on the knowledge of the normalization of the decay form factors, f0. A new determination of the ratio Vus/Vud is also presented, based on our precise measurement of the absolute branching ratio for the decay K+ -> mu+nu, combined with recent lat…
The NA48 experiment, conceived primarily to look for direct CP violation in neutral kaon decays, has recently published the so far most precise determination of the epsilon'/epsilon parameter. After reviewing shortly this result, we report on the 2001 data-taking, which concluded the epsilon' program by collecting a substantial amount of data with different beam intensity conditions. We also present new precision measurements of the K0 and eta masses and of the K-short lifetime, that provide consistency checks of our analysis. Finally, the prospects for the future experimental program are disc…
A short review of recent results and future prospects in kaon physics is presented. Recent measurements performed at the NA48, NA62, KLOE and KTeV experiments on CP and Lepton Flavour violation and rare decays will be summarised, together with measurements of CKM elements and Chiral Perturbation Theory tests.
Recent results and future plans of kaon physics are reviewed. Topics include CP violation, rare decays, light neutral-boson search, lepton flavor universality, and CPT and QM tests.
The present status of Kaon physics is summarized from a theory point of view. Focus is laid on $ΔS=2$, $ΔS=1$ as well as on rare Kaon decays, where progress has been made for instance in the case of $\varepsilon_K$ and $K_S\to μ^+μ^-$. Furthermore, several New Physics scenarios are discussed in the context of rare Kaon decays and other Kaon observables.
The ratio $R_K = Γ(K^{\pm}\to e^{\pm}ν(γ)) / Γ(K^{\pm}\toμ^{\pm}ν(γ))$ provides a powerful probe of the structure of weak interactions. It is calculated with very high precision within the Standard Model, but corrections due to the presence of New Physics could be in a few percent range. Development of NA48/NA62 method based on test data samples of 2003-04, and the status of analysis based on a dedicated 2007 run are discussed. In addition, a proposal to measure the ultra rare decay $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$ at the CERN SPS is presented.
Kaon experiments are now focusing on searching for new physics beyond the standard model. For example, CERN NA62, J-PARC KOTO and J-PARC TREK-E36 experiments are starting up to study K->pi nu nu-bar decay modes, a lepton flavor violation, and lepton universality.
Standard lattice calculations in kaon physics are based on the evaluation of matrix elements of local operators between two single-hadron states or a single-hadron state and the vacuum. Recent progress in lattice QCD has gone beyond these standard observables. I will review the status and prospects of lattice kaon physics with an emphasis on non-leptonic $K\toππ$ decay and long-distance processes including $K^0$-$\overline{K^0}$ mixing and rare kaon decays.
In the past few years charged kaon experiments have indicated possible scalar and tensor couplings in semileptonic kaon decays(K --> pi e nu). These couplings, if correct, are not predicted by the Standard Model and may indicate the onset of new physics. We present a summary of the existing data and a new, precision measurement of these couplings in the neutral kaon system based on a 3% subset of the data taken by the KTeV (E799) experiment at Fermilab.
A short review of two measurements recently published by KLOE/KLOE-2 collaborations is presented. Namely the most stringent limits of the CPT-violating parameters Delta a_mu for neutral kaons, and the absolute branching ratio of K+ --> pi+pi-pi+(gamma) decay. In addition a discussion of starting KLOE-2 project is performed.
The decay $K^+ \to π^+ ν\barν$, with a very precisely predicted branching ratio of less than $10^{-10}$, is one of the best candidates to reveal indirect effects of new physics at the highest mass scales. The NA62 experiment at the CERN SPS is designed to measure the branching ratio of the $K^+ \to π^+ ν\barν$ with a decay-in-flight technique. NA62 took data so far in 2016-2018. Statistics collected in 2016 allowed NA62 to reach the Standard Model sensitivity for $K^+ \to π^+ ν\barν$, entering the domain of $10^{-10}$ single event sensitivity and showing the proof of principle of the experimen…
We have examined the physics and the experimental feasibility of studying various kaon decay processes in which the polarization of a muon in the final state is measured. Valuable information on CP violation, the quark mixing (CKM) matrix, and new physics can be obtained from such measurements. We have considered muon polarization in K_L to mu+ mu- and K to pi mu+ mu- decays. Although the effects are small, or difficult to measure because of the small branching ratios involved, these studies could provide clean measurements of the CKM parameters. The experimental difficulty appears comparable …
Recent Kaon decay studies seeking lepton-flavor violating (LFV) new-physics effects are briefly discussed. The main focus is set on precise measurements of rare or not-so-rare decays aiming at finding evidence of deviations from the SM prediction rather than on the results from direct searches of LFV transitions forbidden or ultra-rare in the SM.
In the first year of physics run, the E949 experiment at Brookhaven National Laboratory has already collected $1.8\times 10^{12}$ kaons stopping in the target. Additional evidence for the rare charged kaon decay $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$ has been observed. Combined with previous results from the E787 experiment, the branching ratio is measured to be Br($K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$)=$(1.47^{+1.30}_{-0.89})\times10^{-10}$.
All relevant inputs for the extraction of the CKM matrix element \vus from \kl, \ks and \kpm decays have been measured at KLOE. From a global fit using only KLOE results, but \ks lifetime, a value of $|\vus|\fzero = 0.2157 \pm 0.0006$ is obtained, where \fzero is the form factor parametrizing the hadronic matrix element evaluated at zero momentum transfer. Comparison of the values of \fVus for $K_{e3}$ and $K_{\mu3}$ modes provides a test of lepton universality at 0.8% level of accuracy. The value $\vus/\vud=0.2323(15)$ has been obtained from the ratio $Γ(K\toμν)/Γ(π\toμν)$ using KLOE measurem…
Recent results are presented for (1) the charge asymmetry in semielectronic kaon decay; (2) the charge radius of the neutral kaon; (3) the decay Klong -> pi0 pi0 e+e-; (4) constraints on rho(CKM) from kaon decays; (5) lepton flavor violation. A few words about future kaon physics work at Fermilab are included.
High statistics data for the K+ -> mu+ nu gamma decay can allow the precision determination of the kaon structure dependent form factors and the kaon polarizability. This study is possible at the proposed FNAL CKM experiment. CKM (Charged Kaons at the Main injector) is a decay-in-flight spectrometer with two RICH, and designed to run at the main injector with a high kaon flux. The radiative decay data will be taken complementary to the primary CKM effort to study the rare kaon decay (K to pi nu nubar) for which CKM was primarily designed. We summarize here the underlying physics of K ->mu nu g…
In kaon physics, several new precision measurements on flavour variables and CP violation have performed in the recent years. Presented are a new precise determination of the CKM parameter |V_us|, which combines the results of all experiments together with recent theoretical progress, and new measurements of the ratio R_K = Gamma(K+ -> e+ nu)/Gamma(K+ -> mu+ nu), which is sensitive to contributions of a possible charged Higgs in the SUSY framework. Also, final results of a precision search for direct CP violation in charged kaon decays are presented.
We present a comprehensive analysis of low-energy signals of hypothetical scalar leptoquark interactions in lepton and kaon transitions. We derive the most general effective four-fermion Lagrangian induced by tree-level scalar leptoquark exchange and identify the Wilson coefficients predicted by the five possible types of scalar leptoquarks. The current constraints on the leptoquark Yukawa couplings arising from lepton and kaon processes are worked out, including also loop-induced transitions with only leptons (or quarks) as external states. In the presence of scalar leptoquark interactions, w…
The KLOE-2 experiment at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) completed its data-taking at the $e^+ e^-$ DA$Φ$NE collider, which implements an innovative collision scheme based on a crab-waist configuration, and achieved the integrated luminosity of more than 5 fb$^-1$. KLOE-2 represents the continuation of KLOE with an upgraded detector and an extended physics program which includes, among the main topics, neutral kaon interferometry and test of discrete symmetries . Entangled neutral kaon pairs produced at DA$Φ$NE are a unique tool to test discrete symmetries and quantum coherence…
We report some new results on tau decays obtained by the BaBar collaboration using 468 inverse femtobarn of electron-positron collisions recorded at the PEP-II asymmetric collider at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. First We will show the results for the branching fractions for the decay of the tau to a charged hadron and two neutral kaons and the branching fractions for high-multiplicity decays with 3 or 5 charged particles in the final state, either pions or kaons. We will then show the results for the search of second class hadronic current decays involving eta-prime mesons and the invar…
We review the current status of the field of rare kaon decays. The study of rare kaon decays has played a key role in the development of the standard model, and the field continues to have significant impact. The two areas of greatest import are the search for physics beyond the standard model and the determination of fundamental standard-model parameters. Due to the exquisite sensitivity of rare kaon decay experiments, searches for new physics can probe very high mass scales. Studies of the k->pnn modes in particular, where the first event has recently been seen, will permit tests of the stan…
Kaon decays have played a key role in the construction of the Standard Model and continue to be an important testing ground of the electroweak flavour theory. They can provide new signals of CP-violation phenomena and, perhaps, a window into physics beyond the Standard Model. The interplay of long-distance QCD effects in strangeness-changing transitions can be analyzed, combining the short-distance Operator Product Expansion with Chiral Perturbation Theory techniques. A brief overview is presented, focusing on a few selected decay modes. A more detailed and comprehensive review can be found in…
We review a novel model-independent approach to the analysis of new-physics effects in the $s\to u\ell^-\barν$ transitions. We apply it to (semi)leptonic kaon decays and study their complementarity with pion and hyperon $β$ decays or with collider searches of new physics.
CP violation is an important tool to test the Standard Model and his extensions. We describe kaon physics observables testing CP violation and more in general short distance physics. Channels under consideration will be K -> pi nu nu, K -> pi l+ l-, K+- -> 3 pi, K+- -> pi +- pi gamma and K+- -> pi +- pi0 e+ e-
Recent results from the LHC's first run have revealed intriguing departures from lepton flavour universality in the semi-leptonic decays of $B$-mesons. We discuss the complementary role that rare kaon decays can provide in testing new physics explanations of these flavour anomalies. In the framework of minimal flavour violation, we relate the chiral low-energy constants involved in $K\toπ\ell\ell'$ and $K\to\ell\ell'$ ($\ell = μ\mbox{ or } e$) with the new physics Wilson coefficients of the $b\to s$ effective Hamiltonian. We comment on the determination of these low-energy constants at NA62 an…
We study opportunities for future high-precision experiments in kaon physics using a high-intensity proton driver, which could be part of the front-end of a muon storage ring complex. We discuss in particular the rare decays $K_L\toπ^0ν\barν$, $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$, $K_L\toπ^0e^+e^-$, and lepton-flavour violating modes such as $K_L\toμe$ and $K\toπμe$. The outstanding physics potential and long-term interest of these modes is emphasized. We review status and prospects of current and planned experiments for the processes under consideration, and indicate possible improvements and strategies towards…
The availability of high intensity kaon beams at the CERN SPS North Area gives rise to unique possibilities for sensitive tests of the Standard Model in the quark flavor sector. Precise measurements of the branching ratios for the flavor-changing neutral current decays $K\toπν\barν$ can provide unique constraints on CKM unitarity and, potentially, evidence for new physics. Building on the success of the NA62 experiment, plans are taking shape at CERN for a comprehensive program that will include experimental phases to measure the branching ratio for $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$ to ~5% and to $K_L\toπ^0ν\…
Major progress has been made in kaon physics in the past 50 years. The number of KL->pi+pi- events has increased by 6 orders of magnitude, and the observed CP violation was experimentally proven to be caused by a complex phase in the CKM matrix. Recent kaon experiments are now searching for new physics beyond the standard model with the K->pi nu nu-bar decays. The branching ratio of K->pi nu nu-bar decays are 7-8 orders of magnitude smaller than the branching ratio of KL->pi+ pi-. This paper reviews the progress of kaon experiments in the US and Japan, and how the 6-7 orders of magnitude impro…
New precise data in B physics and theoretical developments in K physics lead us to reconsider the weak K^0-\bar{K}^0 transition from a large-N_c viewpoint, N_c being the number of colors. In this framework, we infer an upper limit on \hat{B}_K and the Kaon indirect CP violation.
New physics contributions to the $Z$ penguin are revisited in the light of the recently-reported discrepancy of the direct CP violation in $K\toππ$. Interference effects between the standard model and new physics contributions to $ΔS = 2$ observables are taken into account. Although the effects are overlooked in the literature, they make experimental bounds significantly severer. It is shown that the new physics contributions must be tuned to enhance $\mathcal{B}(K_L \to π^{0} ν\barν)$, if the discrepancy of the direct CP violation is explained with satisfying the experimental constraints. The…
We investigate the potential of rare hyperon decays to probe the short distance structure in the $s\to dν\barν$ and $s\to d\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions. Hyperon decays into neutrinos ($B_1\to B_2ν\barν$) can be reliably predicted by using form factors determined in baryon chiral perturbation theory. Their decay rates are sensitive to different short-distance operators, as compared to their kaon counterparts, and the corresponding branching fractions are in the range of $10^{-14}\sim10^{-13}$ in the standard model. In the context of the low-energy effective theory, we find that the anticipated BES…
Recent anomalies in the decays of $B$ mesons and the Higgs boson provide hints towards lepton flavor (universality) violating physics beyond the Standard Model. We observe that four-fermion operators which can explain the $B$-physics anomalies have corresponding analogs in the kaon sector, and we analyze their impact on $K\toπ\ell \ell'$ and $K\to\ell \ell'$ decays $(\ell=μ,e)$. For these processes, we note the corresponding physics opportunities at the NA62 experiment. In particular, assuming minimal flavor violation, we comment on the required improvements in sensitivity necessary to test th…
If dark photons are massless, they couple to standard-model particles only via higher dimensional operators, while the kinetic mixing with photons, which motivates most of the current experimental searches, is absent. We consider the effect of possible flavor-changing magnetic-dipole couplings of massless dark photons in kaon physics. In particular, we study the branching ratio for the process $K^+\rightarrow π^+π^0 \bar γ$ with a simplified-model approach, assuming the chiral quark model to evaluate the hadronic matrix element. Possible effects in the $K^0$-$\bar K^0$ mixing are taken into ac…
The latest search for the rare kaon decay $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$ by the NA62 experiment has produced evidence for it with a branching fraction consistent with the prediction of the standard model. The new result implies that in this decay, with the $ν\barν$ pair appearing as missing energy ($\not\!\!E$), the room for possible new physics is no longer sizable and that therefore its contributions to underlying four-particle $s\to d\!\not\!\!E$ operators with parity-even $ds$ quark bilinears have become significantly constrained. Nevertheless, we point out that appreciable manifestations from beyond t…
The rare kaon decay $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$ is an ideal process in which to search for signs of new physics and is the primary goal of the NA62 experiment at CERN. In this paper we report on a lattice QCD calculation of the long-distance contribution to the $K^+\toπ^+ν\barν$ decay amplitude at the near-physical pion mass $m_π=170$ MeV. The calculations are however, performed on a coarse lattice and hence with a lighter charm quark mass ($m_c^{\bar{\mathrm{MS}}}(\mbox{3 GeV})=750$ MeV) than the physical one. The main aims of this study are two-fold. Firstly we study the momentum dependence of the amp…
The KOTO experiment is a particle physics experiment located in J-PARC, Japan, aiming to explore physics beyond the Standard Model by measuring the branching ratio of the $K_L\rightarrowπ^{0}ν\barν$ decay. This decay has not yet been observed. The branching ratio predicted by the Standard Model of $(3.0\pm0.3)\times10^{-11}$ and the current experimental upper limit established by KEK E391a is $2.6\times10^{-8}$. The signal of $K_L\rightarrowπ^{0}ν\barν$ decay has the signature of two photons on the calorimeter with no signal on the veto detectors. It also has a large transverse momentum due to…
In this short presentation I emphasize the increased importance of kaon flavour physics in the search for new physics (NP) that we should witness in the rest of this decade and in the next decade. The main actors will be the branching ratios for the rare decays $K^+\rightarrowπ^+ν\barν$ and $K_{L}\rightarrowπ^0ν\barν$, to be measured by NA62 and KOTO, and their correlations with the ratio $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$ on which recently progress by lattice QCD and large $N$ dual QCD approach has been made implying a new flavour anomaly. Further correlations of $K^+\rightarrowπ^+ν\barν$, $K_{L}\rig…
We discuss weak kaon decays in a scenario in which the Standard Model is extended by massive sterile fermions. After revisiting the analytical expressions for leptonic and semileptonic decays we derive the expressions for decay rates with two neutrinos in the final state. By using a simple effective model with only one sterile neutrino, compatible with all current experimental bounds and general theoretical constraints, we conduct a thorough numerical analysis which reveals that the impact of the presence of massive sterile neutrinos on kaon weak decays is very small, less than $1\%$ on decay …
