Weak Decay of Lambda Hypernuclei

In this review we discuss the present status of strange nuclear physics, with special attention to the weak decay of Lambda hypernuclei. The models proposed for the evaluation of the Lambda decay widths are summarized and their results are compared with the data. Despite the recent intensive investigations, the main open problem remains a sound theoretical interpretation of the large experimental values of the ratio G_n/G_p. Although recent works offer a step forward in the solution of the puzzle, further efforts must be invested in order to understand the detailed dynamics of the non-mesonic decay. Even if, by means of single nucleon spectra measurements, the error bars on G_n/G_p have been considerably reduced very recently at KEK, a clean extraction of G_n/G_p is needed. What is missing at present, but planned for the next future, are measurements of 1) nucleon energy spectra in double coincidence and 2) nucleon angular correlations: such observations allow to disentangle the nucleons produced in one- and two-body induced decays and lead to a direct determination of G_n/G_p. For the asymmetric non-mesonic decay of polarized hypernuclei the situation is even more puzzling. Indeed, strong inconsistencies appear already among data. A recent experiment obtained a positive intrinsic Lambda asymmetry parameter, a_{Lambda}, for 5_{Lambda}He. This is in complete disagreement with a previous measurement, which obtained a large and negative a_{Lambda} for p-shell hypernuclei, and with theory, which predicts a negative value moderately dependent on nuclear structure effects. Also in this case, improved experiments establishing with certainty the sign and magnitude of a_{Lambda} for s- and p-shell hypernuclei will provide a guidance for a deeper understanding of hypernuclear dynamics and decay mechanisms.