CXIII. The properties of neutral V-particles

Abstract

Abstract In a cloud-chamber investigation at 2867 m. altitude 70 V-tracks due to the decay of neutral V-particles have been observed. An analysis has been made on the basis of the two-body decay processes: V1 0 → P++π - and V2 0→π ++π - and it is concluded that the present limited data are consistent with these two processes. The ratio of the numbers of the two types of V-particles is found to be and accurate mass estimates have been obtained for 12 examples of the first type of decay and for eight examples of the second type. The results are consistent with the unique mass values (2203±12)mc and (796±27)me respectively. The possibility that there are neutral secondary particles among the decay products cannot be excluded. However, some evidence is presented that seems to exclude an explanation of the observations in terms of two modes of decay of a heavy particle each giving a nucleon and two mesons. Finally, it is concluded that there are probably two different types of neutral V-particles.