CP VIOLATION AND ΔI=1/2 ENHANCEMENT FOR K→ππ, K→ππγ WEAK DECAYS

Abstract

Data indicate that ΔI=3/2 transitions account for 4.5–4.7% of both CP conserving and CP violating K→2π decays, as well as CP conserving radiative K→ππγ processes. Observed K→ππγ/ππ branching ratios are shown to scale near α/π or α/2π. The KL–KS mixing angle ϕ and the semileptonic weak-rate asymmetry δ are reviewed, and theory is shown to be consistent with data. Also, K→2π ΔI=1/2 dominance is studied in the context of the chiral constituent quark model, displaying again excellent agreement with data. Finally, indirect and direct kaon CP violation (CPV) are successfully described in the framework of photon-mediated quark-loop graphs. This suggests that kaon CPV can be understood via second-order weak transitions, radiatively corrected.