Ω⁻ decay modes

Abstract

An attempt is made to relate certain decay modes of the Ω⁻ particle, by using the now well-known algebra of current components and the PCAC hypothesis. For the two pionic modes Ω⁻ → Ξ⁻ + π⁰ and Ω⁻ → Ξ⁰ + π⁻ one obtains the ΔI=1/2 rule, and we point out the differences between these cases and the theories of frcase1/2⁺ hyperon decays studied by others [1,2]. Although the experimental data concerning the Ω⁻ are extremely slender, there is at least one event for each of the above modes, and the observed lifetimes are in fine agreement with the prediction. Using a similar procedure, the mode Ω⁻ → Ξ⁰ + π⁰ + e⁻ + V̅ is also related to Ω⁻ → Ξ⁰ + e⁻ + V̅. These modes, although not observed so far, are allowed energetically with sufficient phase space left for the products.