Discover

Share

Download

News

/

Article

Matter‐antimatter asymmetry found in intermediate interaction

AUG 01, 1966

DOI: 10.1063/1.3048410

Gloria B. Lubkin

The symmetry of matter and antimatter in electromagnetic interactions is seriously in doubt. An experiment on the decay of the $η^{0}$ meson into a $π^{+},$ $π^{-}$ and $π^{0}$ shows that, on the average, the $π^{+}$ comes off with more energy than the $π^{-} .$ This result, reported in the 27 June issue of Physical Review Letters, implies that charge‐conjugation invariance, believed valid in strong interactions, does not hold in interactions that have less strength. The discovery of this matter‐antimatter asymmetry has intrigued such diverse beings as particle physicists, newspaper reporters and space‐agency workers.

This article is only available in PDF format

© 1966 American Institute of Physics

Physics Today is looking for a Senior Editor. Apply Now.

Related content

News

/

Article

Henry Garcia simulates hair, clothing, and more in animated films

December 22, 2025 10:56 AM

News

/

Article

Watching electrons in action: Still hard, but getting easier

In the closest thing yet obtained to a movie of a breaking chemical bond, there’s a surprise ending.

December 19, 2025 02:21 PM

News

/

Article

Upward trend in percentage of women physics and astronomy faculty in US

December 18, 2025 03:04 PM

News

/

Article

After a stint in finance, Elissa Levy put her energy into teaching

December 18, 2025 01:48 PM

This Content Appeared In

Volume 19, Number 8

Get PT in your inbox

PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

One email per week

PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

One email per month

PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

1 to 2 emails per week