ISSN:
1434-6052
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Muon electron pairs were detected in an Al multiplate spark chamber, exposed to a neutrino beam from the CERN PS. The leptons were not accompanied by other particles, except occasionally by protons. The background came mainly from muon associated π0 production, with one decay gamma lost. It was determined empirically, together with the small contribution from υ e reactions. For electron energies above 2 GeV the background is 5.7±1.5 events, whereas 18 (μe)-candidates have been observed. Hence the effect is established, with a rate of about 10−4 as compared to the muonic reactions above 3 GeV. Charm creation as the origin of this (μe)-production process is excluded; heavy neutral lepton production does not fit the kinematics observed. Instead the events are compatible with the two-body decay of an object with variable invariant mass of order 1 GeV, possibly resulting from axion interactions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01547479
