Including long-distance effects in theKL−KSmass splitting

In the framework of the standard model we propose an approach to the computation of the {ital K}{sub {ital L}}-{ital K}{sub {ital S}} mass difference which does not rely on an effective local Hamiltonian. Using partial conservation of axial-vector current, low-momentum Ward identities, and working at leading order in 1/{ital N}{sub {ital c}}, we relate box diagrams to others where strong interactions can be resummed. After subtracting the {ital K}-to-vacuum transitions, an expression involving only hadronic quantities is obtained. A numerical evaluation is performed by using a method of analytic continuation from the high-energy behavior given by QCD. The resulting contribution is found sma…