K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar at the AGS (E926)

TL;DR

This paper proposes an experiment at the AGS (E926) to measure the rare decay K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar, utilizing hermetic veto and kinematic reconstruction to suppress backgrounds below the expected signal level.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach combining two independent rejection criteria for precise measurement of a rare decay.

Findings

Background suppression achieved below 3 x 10^{-11}

Method ensures reliable background level measurement

Potential to observe the rare decay signal

Abstract

A proposed experiment to measure K_L -> pi^0 nu nubar at the AGS (E926) is described. It adopts a unique but general strategy of rare decay measurements with two independent rejection criteria, which allows reliable measurements of background levels. The method employs hermetic veto and full kinematic reconstruction using kaon time of flight and kinematic reconstruction of pi^0. Backgrounds are suppressed to a level well below an anticipated signal in the range 3 x 10^{-11}.