Precise measurement of the K+- --> pi+-e+e- decay

Batley, J. R.; Culling, A. J.; Kalmus, G.; Lazzeroni, C.; Munday, D. J.; Slater, M. W.; Wotton, S. A.; Arcidiacono, R.; Bocquet, G.; Cabibbo, N.; Ceccucci, A.; Cundy, D.; Falaleev, V.; Fidecaro, M.; Gatignon, L.; Gonidec, A.; Kubischta, W.; Norton, Alan Robert; Maier, A.; Patel, M.; Peters, A.; Balev, S.; Frabetti, P. L.; Goudzovski, E.; Hristov, P.; Kekelidze, V.; Kozhuharov, V.; Litov, L.; Madigozhin, D.; Marinova, E.; Molokanova, N.; Polenkevich, I.; Potrebenikov, Y.; Stoynev, S.; Zinchenko, A.; Monnier, E.; Swallow, E.; Winston, R.; Rubin, P.; Walker, A.; Baldini, Wander; COTTA RAMUSINO, Angelo; Dalpiaz, Pietro; Damiani, C.; Fiorini, Massimiliano; Gianoli, Alberto; Martini, M.; Petrucci, Ferruccio Carlo; Savrie', Mauro; Scarpa, M.; Wahl, H.; Bizzeti, A.; Calvetti, M.; Celeghini, E.; Iacopini, E.; Lenti, M.; Martelli, F.; Ruggiero, G.; Veltri, M.; Behler, M.; Eppard, K.; Kleinknecht, K.; Marouelli, P.; Masetti, L.; Moosbrugger, U.; Morales Morales, C.; Renk, B.; Wache, M.; Wanke, R.; Winhart, A.; Coward, D.; Dabrowski, A.; Fonseca Martin, T.; Shieh, M.; Szleper, M.; Velasco, M.; Wood, M. D.; Anzivino, G.; Cenci, P.; Imbergamo, E.; Nappi, A.; Pepe, M.; Petrucci, M. C.; Piccini, M.; Raggi, M.; Valdata Nappi, M.; Cerri, C.; Collazuol, G.; Costantini, F.; Dilella, L.; Doble, N.; Fantechi, R.; Fiorini, L.; Giudici, S.; Lamanna, G.; Mannelli, I.; Michetti, A.; Pierazzini, G.; Sozzi, M.; Bloch Devaux, B.; Cheshkov, C.; Chèze, J. B.; De Beer, M.; Derré, J.; Marel, G.; Mazzucato, E.; Peyaud, B.; Vallage, B.; Holder, M.; Ziolkowski, M.; Bifani, S.; Biino, C.; Cartiglia, N.; Clemencic, M.; Goy Lopez, S.; Marchetto, F.; Dibon, H.; Jeitler, M.; Markytan, M.; Mikulec, I.; Neuhofer, G.; Widhalm, L.

doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2009.05.040

A sample of 7253 K±→pi±e+e−(γ) decay candidates with 1.0% background contamination has been collected by the NA48/2 experiment at the CERN SPS, which allowed a precise measurement of the decay properties. The branching ratio in the full kinematic range was measured to be BR=(3.11±0.12)×10−7, where the uncertainty includes also the model dependence. The shape of the form factor W(z), where z=(Mee/MK)2, was parameterized according to several models, and, in particular, the slope δ of the linear form factor W(z)=W0(1+δz) was determined to be δ=2.32±0.18. A possible CP violating asymmetry of K+ and K− decay widths was investigated, and a conservative upper limit of 2.1×10−2 at 90% CL was established.