Is π0 a virtual particle?

ZuNiceFrageByZuNiceFrage

η decays with >33% to π 0
The lifetime is 8.52(18) 10 −17 s and π 0 decays into ɣ + ɣ
(Assuming η exists) How can the existence of π 0 be certain if its lifetime is so short and it decays immediately into two photons? Wouldn't it make more sense to omit this decay step and say that η decays with >72% to ɣ + ɣ ? How can it be proven that π 0 actually exists as a decay step between η and ɣ + ɣ? Surely only ɣ + ɣ can actually be directly detected?

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Reggid
Reggid
2 years ago

you can view the invariant mass of your photon pairs. then you see a peak at the pi0 mass

Would it not be more sensitive to omit this disintegration step and to say that η disintegrates with >72% to be compensated for?

but it doesn't.

if it falls into 3 pi0, you have at the end 6 gammas (mostly)

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