Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the application of Feynman rules to specific decay processes involving charm quarks (c) and their antiparticles (c-bar). Participants explore whether certain decay channels are allowed, focusing on interactions mediated by the strong and electroweak forces.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant suggests that the decay of cc to tau++tau- is possible via the strong force.
- Another participant counters that this decay is incorrect as leptons do not interact via the strong force, proposing instead that it could occur through electroweak interactions involving a virtual Z-boson or photon.
- Regarding the decay of cc to cu and cu, one participant believes this cannot happen, while another argues that it can occur if one of the initial particles releases a gluon to produce a pair of u quarks.
- A later reply indicates that the cc to cu and cu decay is kinematically forbidden if the particles are at rest relative to each other, but may be allowed if there is sufficient energy to overcome the mass barrier of the u quarks.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the allowed decay processes, with no consensus reached on the mechanisms or conditions under which these decays may occur.
Contextual Notes
Some discussions hinge on the definitions of decay and the energy conditions required for certain processes, which may not be fully resolved in the conversation.