Nuclear Effects in Proton Decay

An experimental observation of proton decay would be a spectacular proof of Grand Unification. Currently, the best constraint on the proton lifetime for the p → eπ decay channel, coming from the SuperKamiokande experiment, reaches 8 × 10 years. To improve the measurement, much bigger detectors should be constructed. Moreover, a better description of the bound-nucleon states and of the propagation of the proton-decay products through nuclear matter have to be developed. In this article special attention is paid to the argon nucleus because a liquid argon detector is a promising candidate for the future large apparatus.