Measurements of the Dalitz plot parameters for K ± → π ± π 0 π 0 decays

The g, h , and k Dalitz plot parameters, which are coefficients in a series expansion of the squared module of the matrix element | M ( u, v )| 2 ∝ 1 + gu + hu 2 + kv 2 ( u, v are invariant variables), have been measured for K ± → π ± π 0 π 0 decays using 35 GeV/ c hadron beams at the IHEP (Protvino) accelerator. Dependences of parameters and fit quality on the π 0 π 0 mass cut were investigated for the first time. It is shown that the expansion mentioned above does not fit the experimental data near the π + π − mass threshold and that addition of the cubic terms only slightly improves the fit quality. This result indicates the important role of nonanalytical terms in the matrix element that are connected with pion rescattering. A comparison of our data with previous measurements is presented.