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Lecture

CKM Matrix: Determination and Parameterization

In course

PHYS-416: Particle physics II

This course aims to make students familiar and comfortable with the main concepts of particle physics, providing a clear connection between the theory and relevant experimental results, including the most recent ones from modern particle physics experiment ...

Description

This lecture covers the determination of the CKM matrix elements through various decays, contrasting with the PMNS matrix. It explains the unitarity of the CKM matrix and its parameterization using mixing angles and a CP-violating phase.

Instructor

Lesya Shchutska

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Physics

Particle physics: Standard Model

Related concepts (32)

CP violation

In particle physics, CP violation is a violation of CP-symmetry (or charge conjugation parity symmetry): the combination of C-symmetry (charge symmetry) and P-symmetry (parity symmetry). CP-symmetry states that the laws of physics should be the same if a particle is interchanged with its antiparticle (C-symmetry) while its spatial coordinates are inverted ("mirror" or P-symmetry). The discovery of CP violation in 1964 in the decays of neutral kaons resulted in the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1980 for its discoverers James Cronin and Val Fitch.

Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa matrix

In the Standard Model of particle physics, the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa matrix, CKM matrix, quark mixing matrix, or KM matrix is a unitary matrix which contains information on the strength of the flavour-changing weak interaction. Technically, it specifies the mismatch of quantum states of quarks when they propagate freely and when they take part in the weak interactions. It is important in the understanding of CP violation.

Neutral particle oscillation

In particle physics, neutral particle oscillation is the transmutation of a particle with zero electric charge into another neutral particle due to a change of a non-zero internal quantum number, via an interaction that does not conserve that quantum number. Neutral particle oscillations were first investigated in 1954 by Murray Gell-mann and Abraham Pais. For example, a neutron cannot transmute into an antineutron as that would violate the conservation of baryon number.

Kaon

In particle physics, a kaon (ˈkeɪ.ɒn), also called a K meson and denoted _Kaon, is any of a group of four mesons distinguished by a quantum number called strangeness. In the quark model they are understood to be bound states of a strange quark (or antiquark) and an up or down antiquark (or quark). Kaons have proved to be a copious source of information on the nature of fundamental interactions since their discovery in cosmic rays in 1947.

Beta decay

In nuclear physics, beta decay (β-decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits a beta particle (fast energetic electron or positron), transforming into an isobar of that nuclide. For example, beta decay of a neutron transforms it into a proton by the emission of an electron accompanied by an antineutrino; or, conversely a proton is converted into a neutron by the emission of a positron with a neutrino in so-called positron emission.

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CP Violation in the Early Universe

Explores CP violation in the early universe, focusing on matter/antimatter asymmetry and the CKM matrix.

CKM Matrix Elements

Explores the determination of CKM matrix elements, particle-antiparticle mixing, decay rates, and CP violation.

The CKM Matrix and CP Violation

Covers CP violation, the CKM matrix, quark interactions, and neutral kaons.

Baryon Asymmetry and Particle Physics

Explores nucleosynthesis, baryon asymmetry, CP violation, and the stability of the proton in particle physics.

Particle Physics: Fundamentals and Interactions