An investigation of the very rare K + → π + ν ν ¯ $$ {K}^{+}\to {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$ decay

Abstract The NA62 experiment reports an investigation of the K + → π + ν ν ¯ $$ {K}^{+}\to {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$ mode from a sample of K + decays collected in 2017 at the CERN SPS. The experiment has achieved a single event sensitivity of (0.389 ± 0.024) × 10 −10, corresponding to 2.2 events assuming the Standard Model branching ratio of (8.4 ± 1.0) × 10 −11. Two signal candidates are observed with an expected background of 1.5 events. Combined with the result of a similar analysis conducted by NA62 on a smaller data set recorded in 2016, the collaboration now reports an upper limit of 1.78 × 10 −10 for the K + → π + ν ν ¯ $$ {K}^{+}\to {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$ branching ratio at 90% CL. This, together with the corresponding 68% CL measurement of ( 0.48 − 0.48 + 0.72 $$ {0.48}_{-0.48}^{+0.72} $$ ) × 10 −10, are currently the most precise results worldwide, and are able to constrain some New Physics models that predict large enhancements still allowed by previous measurements.