Quantum Instability for Mixed States

Abstract

The analysis of the time evolution of unstable states which are linear superposition of other, observable, states can, in principle, be carried out in two distinct, non-equivalent ways. One of the methods, usually employed for the neutral kaon system, combines the mixing and instability into one single step which then results into unconventional properties of the mass-eigenstates. An alternative method is to remain within the framework of a Lagrangian formalism and to perform the mixing prior to the instability analysis. Staying close to the $K^0-\bar{K^0}$ system, we compare both methods pointing out some of their shortcomings and advantages.