On the origin of inclusive electron events in e⁺e⁻ annihilation between 3.6 and 5.2 GeV

Abstract

The multiplicity distribution of inclusive electron events above 4 GeV cm energy shows two distinct classes of events: two prong no photon and high multiplicity events. If the high multiplicity events are attributed to the semi-leptonic decay of charmed particles the two prong no photon events must come from the weak decay of a different type of particle. The charged K to π ratio was measured for these events. The average number of charged kaons is 0.07 ± 0.06 per two prong event and 0.90 ± 0.18 per multiprong event. Thus the weak current responsible for the low multiplicity events has a small coupling to strange particles.