Direct experimental evidence of the weak $\Lambda n p \rightarrow n n p$ hypernucleus decay

TL;DR

This paper presents direct experimental evidence of the weak decay process $\Lambda np ightarrow nnp$ in hypernuclei, specifically in $^{7}_{\Lambda}$Li and $^{9}_{\Lambda}$Be, through analysis of three observed events.

Contribution

First direct experimental confirmation of the $\Lambda np ightarrow nnp$ weak decay in hypernuclei, expanding understanding of non-mesonic weak decay channels.

Findings

Three events attributed to hypernuclear decay were observed.

Kinematic analysis supports the identification of the decay process.

Evidence confirms the occurrence of the weak reaction in specific hypernuclei.

Abstract

A direct experimental evidence of the occurrence of the weak reaction $\Lambda np\rightarrow nnp$ in nuclei has been obtained by the FINUDA experiment. Three events have been found that can be attributed to $^{7}_{\Lambda}$Li and $^{9}_{\Lambda}$Be two nucleon-induced non mesonic weak decays. The kinematic analysis of such events is presented here.