NONLEPTONIC DECAYS OF HYPERONS

Abstract

The s- and p-wave mesonic decays of hyperons are studied in the context of a general Hamiltonian of a current × current type. The form of the Hamiltonian chosen allows a distinction to be made between the ΔI = 1/2 and ΔI = 3/2 contributions and thus clarifies the role of octet enhancement vis à vis that of the ΔI = 1/2 rule. A simple assumption, less restrictive than octet dominance, about the Hamiltonian yields all the ΔI = 1/2 rules for both s- and p-wave decays and the result that Σ+ → nπ+ decay is purely p wave. A new sum rule is also obtained which determines, fairly accurately, the ratio F/(D + F) for Yukawa-type coupling, giving the result 0.356 ± 0.068.