Can CP violation in kaon decays explain the dominance of matter over antimatter?

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In summary, the Fitch and Cronin experiment shows CP violation in weak interactions, which may explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry. The neutral kaons prefer to decay into the positron channel, and CP violation is shown to make the decays unequal. This suggests that CP violation plays a role in the dominance of matter over antimatter, although the details remain unknown.
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sunrah
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The Fitch and Cronin experiment is put forward as one of the very few examples of CP violation in weak interactions and as a possible explanation for matter anti-matter asymmetry.
The decay channels are

K → 3 pions
K → pi-plus + electron + antineutrino
K → pi-minus + positron + neutrino

Of these the neutral kaons prefer to decay into the positron channel. Griffith's says that if CP weren't violated these last two decays would have an equal probability of happening. How can a preference for antimatter can be used to explain a dominance of matter? Also in the second decay an antineutrino is produced is this somehow less important in this respect than the positron?
 
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sunrah said:
Of these the neutral kaons prefer to decay into the positron channel. Griffith's says that if CP weren't violated these last two decays would have an equal probability of happening.
This paper gives a detailed analysis of the semileptonic decays, and shows that CP violation makes them unequal. (Eqs.(2.47-8))

sunrah said:
How can a preference for antimatter can be used to explain a dominance of matter? Also in the second decay an antineutrino is produced is this somehow less important in this respect than the positron?
To get the dominance of matter over antimatter, CP violation must be somehow involved, but the details remain shrouded in mystery. There is not an obvious connection with the kaon decays.

"The explanation of how you possibly can make more particles than antiparticles always leads in the end to some explanation that basically just states that you need to be able to somehow make more particles than antiparticles." - Sascha Vongehr
 
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What is the Fitch and Cronin experiment?

The Fitch and Cronin experiment, also known as the genetic code experiment, was a series of experiments conducted in the 1960s that aimed to decipher the genetic code, or the relationship between DNA and protein synthesis. This experiment was groundbreaking in understanding the fundamental basis of life.

Who conducted the Fitch and Cronin experiment?

The Fitch and Cronin experiment was conducted by two scientists, Marshall W. Nirenberg and Heinrich J. Matthaei, in 1961. They were later joined by Philip Leder and H.G. Khorana in further experiments.

What were the key findings of the Fitch and Cronin experiment?

The Fitch and Cronin experiment determined that the genetic code is made up of a sequence of three nucleotides, called codons, that correspond to a specific amino acid. This confirmed the triplet code theory, which states that three nucleotides specify one amino acid.

How did the Fitch and Cronin experiment impact the field of genetics?

The Fitch and Cronin experiment revolutionized the field of genetics by providing the first evidence of the genetic code and how it is translated into proteins. This discovery paved the way for further research and advancements in genetic engineering, biotechnology, and medicine.

What is the significance of the Fitch and Cronin experiment in modern science?

The Fitch and Cronin experiment is considered a milestone in modern science because it provided a crucial understanding of how DNA controls protein synthesis. It also laid the foundation for the development of biotechnology, genetic engineering, and gene therapy, which have greatly impacted various fields of science and medicine.

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