Analysis of Spin Correlations in theβDecay of theΛHyperon

Recent experimental data on the $\beta$ decay of the $\Lambda$ are analyzed. Integrated expressions for the measured quantities in terms of form factors are given up to second order in the parameter $\beta =\frac{(m_{\Lambda }-m_p)}{m_{\Lambda }}$. The sensitivity of these experimental quantities as functions of specific form factors is studied in detail and exhibited in a form which is useful for the analysis of present experiments and for the planning of future ones. Within the framework of $V-A$ theory, the possibility is explored that the data require the presence of an induced pseudotensor form factor. Qualitative discussions of the $q^2$ dependence of some form factors and of possible admixtures of scalar and tensor interactions are also given.