$\rho \to 4\pi$ in chirally symmetric models

Abstract

The decays ${\rho }^0\to 2{\pi }^{+}2{\pi }^{-}$ and ${\rho }^0\to 2{\pi }^0{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}$ are studied using various effective Lagrangians for $\pi$ and $\rho$ (and in some cases $a_1$) mesons, all of which respect the approximate chiral symmetry of the strong interaction. Partial widths of the order of 1 keV or less are found in all cases. These are an order of magnitude smaller than recent predictions based on non-chiral models.

12 pages (RevTeX)