Determination of the branching ratios $Γ(K_L \to 3 π^0) / Γ(K_L \to π^+ π^- π^0)$ and $Γ(K_L \to 3 π^0) / Γ(K_L \to πe ν)$

Abstract

Improved branching ratios were measured for the $K_L \to 3 π^0 $ decay in a neutral beam at the CERN SPS with the NA31 detector: $Γ(K_L \to 3 π^0) / Γ(K_L \to π^+ π^- π^0) = 1.611 \pm 0.037$ and $Γ(K_L \to 3 π^0) / Γ(K_L \to πe ν) = 0.545 \pm 0.010$. From the first number an upper limit for $ΔI =5/2$ and $ΔI = 7/2 $ transitions in neutral kaon decay is derived. Using older results for the Ke3/K$μ$3 fraction, the 3$π^0$ branching ratio is found to be $Γ(K_L \to 3 π^0 )/ Γ_{tot} = (0.211 \pm 0.003)$, about a factor three more precise than from previous experiments.