What is the highest order contribution in the Feynman diagram for K decay?

In summary, it is possible to determine the Feynman diagram of highest contribution by following a flowchart or using algorithms, but in simpler processes, it can also be determined through educated guessing.
  • #1
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Looking at, say, the decay [itex]K^+ \to \pi^+ + \pi^+ + \pi^- + \gamma[/itex], is it easy to say what the Feynman diagram is of highest contribution? I suppose it is not unique, but say we're satisfied with just one of highest order. Is there as it were a sort of flowchart one follows? For example, since strangeness is not conserved, we'll at least need one weak interaction. This will increase the number of quarks from 2 to 4. We need 2 more, for this we can use any of the interactions, hence we use the strong interaction, as it has the highest contribution. To get an outgoing photon, it seems best to simply attach a photon line to an arbitrary fermion line already present. This gives me the following drawing
attachment.php?attachmentid=47733&stc=1&d=1338244292.gif

Firstly, is this drawing indeed one of the highest order contributions? Secondly, is the reasoning solid? Thirdly, do you use some kind of flowchart/algorithm/step-by-step procedure to find such things? Or perhaps it's all computers? Or random guessing...
 

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  • #2
The answer to your first question is yes, the drawing is one of the highest order contributions. The reasoning behind it is mostly solid, although there are other possible contributions that could have higher orders. As for the third question, it depends on the process being studied. For simple processes such as the one you described, it is usually possible to make an educated guess of the most important contributions. However, for more complex processes, it is usually necessary to use algorithms or computer programs to identify the highest order Feynman diagrams.
 

Related to What is the highest order contribution in the Feynman diagram for K decay?

1. What is a Feynman diagram for K decay?

A Feynman diagram is a visual representation of the interactions between particles in a subatomic process. In the case of K decay, it shows the decay of a K meson (a type of subatomic particle) into other particles, such as pions and neutrinos.

2. How do Feynman diagrams help us understand K decay?

Feynman diagrams allow us to visualize the complex interactions between particles during K decay. They help us understand the probabilities of different decay products and the conservation laws that govern the process.

3. What is the significance of the direction of arrows in a Feynman diagram for K decay?

The direction of arrows in a Feynman diagram for K decay represents the flow of time. Particles are represented by arrows pointing forward in time, while antiparticles are represented by arrows pointing backward in time.

4. Can Feynman diagrams be used to predict the outcome of K decay?

Yes, Feynman diagrams can be used to make predictions about the probabilities of different decay products in K decay. However, they are not always accurate as they are based on quantum mechanics and involve probabilities rather than definite outcomes.

5. Are there any limitations to using Feynman diagrams to study K decay?

Feynman diagrams are a useful tool, but they have limitations. They are based on simplified models and do not take into account all possible interactions between particles. Additionally, they only show the initial and final states of a process, not the intermediate steps.

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