- #1
Anchovy
- 99
- 2
If I look at the lower limits on the proton decay lifetime [itex]\tau[/itex] set by, say, Super-Kamiokande, I'll see different lower limits depending on what the proton could decay into, eg. [itex]\tau_{min}(p \rightarrow K^{+} \overline{\nu}) < \tau_{min}(p \rightarrow \mu^{+} \pi^{0}) < \tau_{min}(p \rightarrow e^{+} \pi^{0})[/itex].
What is the reason for this? Is it to do with what the theoretical prediction for each decay channel's decay rate is? Or is experimental, ie. how good the detector is at picking up each observable decay product? Or perhaps to do with different background rates? Or something else?
What is the reason for this? Is it to do with what the theoretical prediction for each decay channel's decay rate is? Or is experimental, ie. how good the detector is at picking up each observable decay product? Or perhaps to do with different background rates? Or something else?