Nuclear interactions of K-mesons

Abstract

Fast K-mesons (τ- as well as K_w-mesons) with energies between 150 and 250 MeV can cause nuclear disintegrations and lose a substantial fraction of their kinetic energy without losing their identity. The character of the interaction in three of the four cases discussed here exhibit a remarkable degree of similarity. The nuclear capture of a K-meson at rest is discussed. The nature and distribution of prongs in the capture star suggest that a ∧°-hyperon may have been formed during the capture process.