Search for Proton Decay via p→e+π0 and p→μ+π0 in a Large Water Cherenkov Detector
Abstract
We have searched for proton decays via p→e+π0 and p→μ+π0 using data from a 91.7kt·yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-I and a 49.2kt·yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-II. No candidate events were observed with expected backgrounds induced by atmospheric neutrinos of 0.3 events for each decay mode. From these results, we set lower limits on the partial lifetime of 8.2×1033 and 6.6×1033 years at 90% confidence level for p→e+π0 and p→μ+π0 modes, respectively.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- April 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.141801
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0903.0676
- Bibcode:
- 2009PhRvL.102n1801N
- Keywords:
-
- 13.30.Ce;
- 11.30.Fs;
- 14.20.Dh;
- 29.40.Ka;
- Leptonic semileptonic and radiative decays;
- Global symmetries;
- Protons and neutrons;
- Cherenkov detectors;
- High Energy Physics - Experiment
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 2 figures