Effective Field Theories in the Study of K_L → π^+π^-e^+e^- and Heavy Quark Fragmentation

Author: Elwood, John Kenneth

Year: 1997

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Wise, Mark B.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/vzrw-t659

Abstract

This thesis examines several situations in which effective field theories may be used to generate perturbative predictions for nonperturbative phenomena. The decay mode KL → π+π-e+e- is analyzed in great detail using chiral perturbation theory, and the form factors for the decay are determined, along with the sizes of various CP violating observables. One of these variables turns out to be quite sizeable, approaching 20% for appropriate cuts on the lepton pair invariant mass. Fragmentation of a c quark to the excited charmed baryon doublet Λ*c is also studied within the framework of a chiral theory, and various decay distributions are expressed in terms of nonperturbative fragementation parameters. A perturbative calculation of related fragmentation parameters is also briefly discussed.

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