$\rho\to 4\pi$ in chirally symmetric models

Abstract

The decays $\rho^0\to 2\pi^+2\pi^-$ and $\rho^0\to 2\pi^0\pi^+\pi^-$ are studied using various effective Lagrangians for $\pi$ and $\rho$ (and in some cases $a_1$) mesons, all of which respect the approximate chiral symmetry of the strong interaction. Partial widths of the order of 1 keV or less are found in all cases. These are an order of magnitude smaller than recent predictions based on non-chiral models.