What is decay length in particle physics?

[luxiaolei]

Hi,all, what is decay length in particle physics? I could not find on web, so frustrating. Thanks a lot for any helps!

 

[Bob S]

In nonrelativistic situations, if a particle has a velocity v = βc, and a 1/e decay lifetime τ (e.g., 2.2 microseconds for muon), then the distance the particle will travel before decaying is βcτ.

For relativistic particles, we need to add time dilation, so the 1/e decay length becomes βγcτ

Bob S

 

[luxiaolei]

@Bob S; Thanks a lot!