The $s \to d \gamma$ Transition in Kaon and Hyperon Decays

Abstract

We survey the possibilities of detecting the $s \rightarrow d \gamma$ transition in kaon and hyperon radiative decays. In the more frequent decays, like $K^+ \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^o \gamma$, $K^+ \rightarrow \pi^+ \ell^+ \ell^-$, the short-distance contribution is obscured by various long-distance transitions. Among the hyperon radiative decays, $\Xi^- \rightarrow \Sigma^- \gamma$ and $\Omega^- \rightarrow \Xi^- \gamma$ are the leading candidates for providing a window to the short-distance $s \rightarrow d \gamma$. The long-distance $s \rightarrow d \gamma$ transitions are also analyzed; their magnitude depends on the size of the deviation from a sum-rule among couplings of vector mesons to photons. The measurement of $\Omega^- \rightarrow \Xi^- \gamma$ could provide information on the relative size of the short and long-distance contributions to the magnetic component of $s \rightarrow d \gamma$.