How to Determine Neutrino Energy in Pion Decay?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining neutrino energy in pion decay, specifically the equations for energy in both the rest frame and laboratory frame. The energy of the neutrino in the rest frame is derived as E_v = (m^2_π - m^2_μ) / (2m_π). For pions with high energy in the laboratory frame, the maximum energy of the neutrinos is given by E^{max}_v = E_π(m^2_π - m^2_μ) / m^2_π c^2. The user struggles with applying the Lorentz transform to transition from the rest frame to the lab frame, initially miscalculating the signs in the transformation matrix. Clarification is provided that both βγ terms should have the same sign, indicating a typing error rather than a fundamental misunderstanding.
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Homework Statement



Pions can decay via the reaction π+ → μ+ νμ. Show that the energy of the neu- trino in the rest frame of the pion is given by

E_v = \frac{m^2_∏-m^2_μ}{2m_∏}



Pions with energy Eπ in the laboratory frame (Eπ >> mπc2) decay via the above reaction. Show that the maximum energy of the neutrinos in the laboratory frame is given by


E^{max}_v = E_∏\frac{m^2_∏-m^2_μ}{m^2_∏} c^2


Homework Equations



Lorentz Transform

\left(\begin{array}{cc}E'\\p'c\end{array}\right) = \left(\begin{array}{cc}\gamma&\beta\gamma\\-\beta\gamma&\gamma\end{array}\right) * \left(\begin{array}{cc}E\\pc\end{array}\right)



The Attempt at a Solution



I am able to get the first result, the problem I am having is changing frames from the first result to the second result. I take the first result and use the Lorentz transform ont he energy, where prime denotes the lab frame and unprimed is the rest frame of the pion.
this give me:


E_v' = \frac{m^2_∏-m^2_μ}{2m_∏} \gamma(1-\beta) c^2

i then use the fact that E'_∏ = gamma mc^2 to find gamma, giving me:


E_v' = \frac{m^2_∏-m^2_μ}{2m^2_∏} E_∏(1-\beta) c^2

However I have done something wrong as this means I need beta =-1 to give me the right result. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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You've done something wrong with your LT matrix. Both \beta \gamma terms should have the same sign.
 
Ahh yes, however that was only a mistake I made when typing the problem up to pf, my calculations had both with the -ve sign to get the result below it.
 
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