The decay tau -> 3 pi nu(tau), as a probe of the mechanism of dynamical chiral symmetry breaking

The decays tau --> 3 pi + nu(tau) are analyzed at one loop order in the fra mework of Generalized Chiral Perturbation Theory, in order to test the sens itivity to the size of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking parameters, con tained in the S-wave. The latter, due to a kinematical suppression, at thre shold, of the P-wave, is relatively large enough to be detectable at high-e nergy machines, through azimuthal left-right asymmetries. This quantity (fo r the pi(-) pi(-) pi(+) mode), integrated from threshold to Q(2) = 0.35 GeV 2, varies from (17 +/- 3)% in the standard case of large condensate up to ( 40 +/- 5)% in the extreme case of tiny condensate. The feasibility of such measurement at high luminosity colliders (e.g., CLEO) is discussed. This me thod provides an independent cross-check of forthcoming experimental determ ination of the two-light-flavor chiral condensate, based on low-energy pi p i scattering. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.