CP noninvariance and the possibility of a sizable neutron electric dipole moment

Abstract

The electric dipole moment of the neutron will be measured to a precision of 10⁻²⁵ e-cm in the near future. We explore a new theoretical possibility that P and CP noninvariance leads to a sizable electric dipole moment. We calculate an electric dipole moment of about 10⁻²⁵ e-cm. In this phenomenological theory, we calculate CP-violating observables in non-leptonic decays from theK ⁰ −$\bar K^0$,Λ ⁰ −Λ ⁰ andK ⁺−K ⁻ systems. In connection with CP noninvariance, the possible observable occurrence of ΔS=2 decays is discussed. We calculate possible branching ratios; in particular that forΞ ⁰ → π⁻ p can be as high as about 10⁻⁶. The possible existence of a weakly interacting, neutral scalar boson, which violates P and CP in the course of its propagation as a virtual particle, is considered.