Disentangling longitudinal and transverse modes of the $\phi$ meson through dilepton and kaon decays

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the angular decay distributions of the $$ meson in dilepton and kaon channels to propose methods for experimentally distinguishing its polarization modes, comparing leptonic and hadronic decay modes.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of $$ meson decay angular distributions using interaction Lagrangians and angular momentum conservation, aiding in polarization mode separation.

Findings

Methods to experimentally disentangle polarization modes are assessed.

Advantages and disadvantages of leptonic versus hadronic decay modes are discussed.

Angular distribution calculations provide a basis for polarization analysis.

Abstract

Angular distributions of $\phi$ meson decay amplitudes of $e^+e^-$ and $K^+K^-$ channels are computed using both specific interaction Lagrangians and simple arguments relying on angular momentum conservation. Based on the obtained results, we assess methods to experimentally disentangle the longitudinal and transverse polarization modes of the $\phi$ meson and discuss advantages and disadvantages of employing either the leptonic or hadronic decay modes for this task.