Searches for rare and forbidden kaon decays at the NA62 experiment at CERN

TL;DR

The NA62 experiment at CERN aims to precisely measure the rare decay $K^+ o \pi^+ uar{ u}$ to test the Standard Model and also searches for other rare kaon decays, utilizing advanced detection systems and large data collection.

Contribution

This paper reviews the design, status, and physics goals of the NA62 experiment, including its approach to measuring rare kaon decays with high precision.

Findings

Preparation for data collection is underway with installation ongoing.

The experiment aims to observe 10^13 $K^+$ decays for precise measurement.

NA62 will also search for lepton flavor and number violating decays.

Abstract

The decay $K^+ \to \pi^+\nu\bar{\nu}$ is highly suppressed in the Standard Model (SM), while its rate can be predicted with minimal theoretical uncertainty. The branching ratio (BR) for this decay is thus a sensitive probe of the flavor sector of the SM; its measurement, however, is a significant experimental challenge. The primary goal of the NA62 experiment is to measure ${\rm BR}(K^+ \to \pi^+\nu\bar{\nu})$ with $\sim$10% precision. This will require the observation of $10^{13}$ $K^+$ decays in the experiment's fiducial volume, as well as the use of high-performance systems for precision tracking, particle identification, and photon vetoing. These aspects of the experiment will also allow NA62 to carry out a rich program of searches for lepton flavor and/or number violating $K^+$ decays. Part of the experimental apparatus was commissioned during a technical run in 2012; installation continues and data taking is expected to begin in late 2014. The physics prospects and the status of the NA62 experiment are reviewed.