The Theory of Beta-Decay

Preface

Part 1

I. Quantum Theoretical Background


1.1. Introduction. The Neutrino


1.2. Theoretical Background


1.3. Dirac's Equation. Particles and Antipartides


1.4. Formulation of Dirac's Equation

II. The Interaction Hamiltonian. Beta-ray Spectra and Decay Probabilities


2.1. The Interaction


2.2. The Transition Probability


2.3. Parity


2.4. Transition Probability (cont.)


2.5. Allowed Transitions


2.6. Selection Rules, Energy Spectrum, Angular Correlations


2.7. Classification of Transitions


2.8. Forbidden Transitions and the Effect of the Coulomb Field

III. Further Developments


3.1. Non-conservation of Parity


3.2. Helicity and the Two-component Theory of the Neutrino


3.3. Possible Invariance under Time-reversal and Charge Conjugation


3.4. "Leptonic Number" or "Leptonic Charge"


3.5. Muon Decay and the Conserved Vector Current Theory


3.6. "Weak Magnetism"


3.7. Current-current Formulation. Universal Weak Interaction. Cabibbo Theory

References

Part 2


1. Tentative Theory of Beta-radiation


2. Detection of the Free Neutrino: a Confirmation


3. Selection Rules for the Beta-disintegration


4. Question of Parity Conservation in Weak Interactions


5. Experimental Test of Parity Conservation in Beta-decay


6. Parity Nonconservation and a Two-component Theory of the Neutrino


7. Helicity of Neutrinos


8. Theory of the Fermi Interaction


9. Test of the Nature of the Vector Interaction in Beta-decay

Index