The neutral vector mesons with isospin zero have the same conserved quantum numbers, so an off-diagonal mass matrix can mix the singlet and octet . Choose phases such thatAt the ideal mixing angle , or , these becomeThe overall sign of is unobservable. The omega meson near decays predominantly to three pions, whereas the phi meson near strongly favours kaon-antikaon channels when they are open. Suppression of its nonstrange channels agrees with the OZI rule and a predominantly strange state. The omega meson is below the two-kaon threshold, so its absence of that channel alone would not establish the mixing angle; masses and the broader decay pattern provide the evidence together.[ref]