Neutron and proton spectra from the decay of $Λ$ hypernuclei

Abstract

We have determined the spectra of neutrons and protons following the decay of $Λ$ hypernuclei through the one- and two-nucleon induced mechanisms. The momentum distributions of the primary nucleons are calculated and a Monte Carlo simulation is used to account for final state interactions. From the spectra we calculate the number of neutrons ($N_n$) and protons ($N_p$) per $Λ$ decay and show how the measurement of these quantities, particularly $N_p$, can lead to a determination of $Γ_n / Γ_p$, the ratio of neutron to proton induced $Λ$ decay. We also show that the consideration of the two-nucleon induced channel has a repercussion in the results, widening the band of allowed values of $Γ_n / Γ_p$ with respect to what is obtained neglecting this channel.