$\Delta L=2$ hyperon semileptonic decays

Abstract

We compute the rates of semileptonic B_A \to B_Bl^-l^- (l=e or \mu) hyperon transitions in a model where intermediate states involve loops of baryons and a Majorana neutrino. These rates turn out to be well below present experimental bounds and other theoretical estimates. From the experimental upper limit on the \Xi^- \to p\mu^-\mu^- decay, we derive the bound <m_{\mu \mu}> < 22 TeV for the effective Majorana mass of the muon neutrino. Also, an estimate of background contributions for these decays due to the allowed B_A \to B_Bl^-l^-\bar{\nu}\bar{\nu} decays are provided.