Search for Proton Decay via $p \rightarrow \nu K^{+}$ using 260 kiloton$\cdot$year data of Super-Kamiokande

TL;DR

This study searched for proton decay via the $p ightarrow u K^{+}$ channel using 260 kiloton-year data from Super-Kamiokande, finding no evidence and setting a new lower limit on proton lifetime.

Contribution

The paper provides the most stringent lower limit on proton lifetime for the $p ightarrow u K^{+}$ decay mode using extensive Super-Kamiokande data.

Findings

No evidence of proton decay observed.

Proton lifetime lower limit set at $5.9 imes 10^{33}$ years.

Extended the search to a large dataset over many years.

Abstract

We have searched for proton decay via $p \rightarrow \nu K^{+}$ using Super-Kamiokande data from April 1996 to February 2013, 260 kiloton$\cdot$year exposure in total. No evidence for this proton decay mode is found. A lower limit of the proton lifetime is set to $5.9 \times 10^{33}$ years at 90% confidence level.