Implications of $\tau$ Decays into Strange Scalar and Axial Vector Mesons

Abstract

Recent reports of the observation of the decay $\tau \rarrow \nu_{\tau} + K + \pi + \pi$ raise interesting questions. The $u-s$ quark mass difference can induce an effective second-class current in the strange sector and enhance decays to helicity-suppressed scalar states. This suggests searches for scalar strange mesons in the $\tau \rarrow \nu_{\tau} + K + \eta' $ and $\tau \rarrow \nu_{\tau} + K + \pi$ decay modes. $\tau$ decays to axial vector final states may clarify strange meson spectroscopy by analogy with the clarification of the $a_1$ problem in the nonstrange sector. Open questions include mixing effects in the strange axial vector mesons and the implications of models based on QCD for hadronization and final state interactions following the creation of a $q \bar q$ pair by a weak vertex,