arXiv subjects

J. Benton

Publications and source records attributed to J. Benton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Solving Disjunctive Temporal Networks with Uncertainty under Restricted Time-Based Controllability using Tree Search and Graph Neural Networks

Planning under uncertainty is an area of interest in artificial intelligence. We present a novel approach based on tree search and graph machine learning for the scheduling problem known as Disjunctive Temporal Networks with Uncertainty (DTNU). Dynamic Controllability (DC) of DTNUs seeks a reactive scheduling strategy to satisfy temporal constraints in response to uncontrollable action durations. We introduce new semantics for reactive scheduling: Time-based Dynamic Controllability (TDC) and a restricted subset of TDC, R-TDC. We design a tree search algorithm to determine whether or not a DTNU is R-TDC. Moreover, we leverage a graph neural network as a heuristic for tree search guidance. Finally, we conduct experiments on a known benchmark on which we show R-TDC to retain significant completeness with regard to DC, while being faster to prove. This results in the tree search processing fifty percent more DTNU problems in R-TDC than the state-of-the-art DC solver does in DC with the same time budget. We also observe that graph neural network search guidance leads to substantial performance gains on benchmarks of more complex DTNUs, with up to eleven times more problems solved than the baseline tree search.

cs.AI↗

arXiv2021

Time-based Dynamic Controllability of Disjunctive Temporal Networks with Uncertainty: A Tree Search Approach with Graph Neural Network Guidance

Scheduling in the presence of uncertainty is an area of interest in artificial intelligence due to the large number of applications. We study the problem of dynamic controllability (DC) of disjunctive temporal networks with uncertainty (DTNU), which seeks a strategy to satisfy all constraints in response to uncontrollable action durations. We introduce a more restricted, stronger form of controllability than DC for DTNUs, time-based dynamic controllability (TDC), and present a tree search approach to determine whether or not a DTNU is TDC. Moreover, we leverage the learning capability of a message passing neural network (MPNN) as a heuristic for tree search guidance. Finally, we conduct experiments for which the tree search shows superior results to state-of-the-art timed-game automata (TGA) based approaches. We observe that using an MPNN for tree search guidance leads to a significant increase in solving performance and scalability to harder DTNU problems.

cs.AI↗

arXiv2020

Measurement of psi(2S) meson production in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV

The differential cross-section for the inclusive production of psi(2S) mesons in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV has been measured with the LHCb detector. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb-1. The psi(2S) mesons are reconstructed in the decay channels psi(2S) -> mu+ mu- and psi(2S) -> J/psi pi+ pi-, with the J/psi meson decaying into two muons. Results are presented both for promptly produced psi(2S) mesons and for those originating from b-hadron decays. In the kinematic range pT(psi(2S)) <= 16 GeV/c and 2 < y(psi(2S)) <= 4.5 we measure 1.44 +- 0.01 +- 0.12+0.2-0.4 mub for prompt psi(2S) production and 0.25 +- 0.01 +- 0.02 mub for psi(2S) from b-hadron decays, where the last uncertainty on the prompt cross-section is due to the unknown psi(2S) polarization. Recent QCD calculations are found to be in good agreement with our measurements. Combining the present result with the LHCb J/psi measurements we determine the inclusive branching fraction B(b -> psi(2S) X) = (2.73 +- 0.06 +- 0.16 +- 0.24) x 10^(-3), where the last uncertainty is due to the B(b -> J/psi X), B(J/psi -> mu+ mu-) and B(psi(2S) -> e+ e-) branching fraction uncertainties. All above results are corrected by an erratum included as an appendix.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Differential branching fraction and angular analysis of $Λ^{0}_{b} \rightarrow Λμ^+μ^-$ decays

The differential branching fraction of the rare decay $Λ^{0}_{b} \rightarrow Λμ^+μ^-$ is measured as a function of $q^{2}$, the square of the dimuon invariant mass. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3.0 \mbox{ fb}^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb experiment. Evidence of signal is observed in the $q^2$ region below the square of the $J/ψ$ mass. Integrating over $15 < q^{2} < 20 \mbox{ GeV}^2/c^4$ the branching fraction is measured as $d\mathcal{B}(Λ^{0}_{b} \rightarrow Λμ^+μ^-)/dq^2 = (1.18 ^{+ 0.09} _{-0.08} \pm 0.03 \pm 0.27) \times 10^{-7} ( \mbox{GeV}^{2}/c^{4})^{-1}$, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the normalisation mode, $Λ^{0}_{b} \rightarrow J/ψΛ$, respectively. In the $q^2$ intervals where the signal is observed, angular distributions are studied and the forward-backward asymmetries in the dimuon ($A^{l}_{\rm FB}$) and hadron ($A^{h}_{\rm FB}$) systems are measured for the first time. In the range $15 < q^2 < 20 \mbox{ GeV}^2/c^4$ they are found to be $A^{l}_{\rm FB} = -0.05 \pm 0.09 \mbox{ (stat)} \pm 0.03 \mbox{ (syst)}$ and $A^{h}_{\rm FB} = -0.29 \pm 0.07 \mbox{ (stat)} \pm 0.03 \mbox{ (syst)}$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Measurement of the relative rate of prompt $χ_{c0}$, $χ_{c1}$ and $χ_{c2}$ production at $\sqrt{s}=7$TeV

Prompt production of charmonium $χ_{c0}$, $χ_{c1}$ and $χ_{c2}$ mesons is studied using proton-proton collisions at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=7$TeV. The $χ_{c}$ mesons are identified through their decay to $J/ψγ$, with $J/ψ\toμ^+μ^-$ using photons that converted in the detector. A data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $1.0\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb detector, is used to measure the relative prompt production rate of $χ_{c1}$ and $χ_{c2}$ in the rapidity range $2.0<y<4.5$ as a function of the $J/ψ$ transverse momentum from 3 to 20 GeV$/c$. First evidence for $χ_{c0}$ meson production at a high-energy hadron collider is also presented.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Search for massive long-lived particles decaying semileptonically in the LHCb detector

A search is presented for massive long-lived particles decaying into a muon and two quarks. The dataset consists of proton-proton interactions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1 and 2 1/fb, respectively. The analysis is performed assuming a set of production mechanisms with simple topologies, including the production of a Higgs-like particle decaying into two long-lived particles. The mass range from 20 to 80 GeV and lifetimes from 5 to 100 ps are explored. Results are also interpreted in terms of neutralino production in different supersymmetric models, with masses in the 23-198 GeV range. No excess above the background expectation is observed and upper limits are set on the production cross-section for various points in the parameter space of theoretical models.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Observation of the $Λ_b^0\toΛϕ$ decay

The $Λ_b^0\toΛϕ$ decay is observed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0fb$^{-1}$ recorded by the LHCb experiment. The decay proceeds at leading order via a $b\to s\bar{s}s$ loop transition and is therefore sensitive to the possible presence of particles beyond the Standard Model. A first observation is reported with a significance of $5.9$ standard deviations. The value of the branching fraction is measured to be $(5.18\pm1.04\pm0.35\,^{+0.67}_{-0.62})\times10^{-6}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is related to external inputs. Triple-product asymmetries are measured to be consistent with zero.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Measurement of the $b$-quark production cross-section in 7 and 13 TeV $pp$ collisions

Measurements of the cross-section for producing \bquark quarks in the reaction $pp\to b\bar{b} X$ are reported in 7 and 13 TeV collisions at the LHC as a function of the pseudorapidity $η$ in the range $2<η<5$ covered by the acceptance of the LHCb experiment. The measurements are done using semileptonic decays of $b$-flavored hadrons decaying into a ground-state charmed hadron in association with a muon. The cross-sections in the covered $η$ range are $72.0\pm 0.3\pm6.8~μ$b and $144\pm 1\pm 21~μ$b for 7 and 13 TeV. The ratio is $2.00\pm0.02\pm0.26$, where the quoted uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The agreement with theoretical expectation is good at 7 TeV, but differs somewhat at 13 TeV. The measured ratio of cross-sections is larger at lower $η$ than the model prediction.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of matter-antimatter differences in beauty baryon decays

Differences in the behaviour of matter and antimatter have been observed in $K$ and $B$ meson decays, but not yet in any baryon decay. Such differences are associated with the non-invariance of fundamental interactions under the combined charge-conjugation and parity transformations, known as $C\!P$ violation. Using data from the LHCb experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, a search is made for $C\!P$-violating asymmetries in the decay angle distributions of $Λ^0_b$ baryons decaying to $pπ^-π^+π^-$ and $pπ^-K^+K^-$ final states. These four-body hadronic decays are a promising place to search for sources of $C\!P$ violation both within and beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. We find evidence for $C\!P$ violation in $Λ^0_b$ to $pπ^-π^+π^-$ decays with a statistical significance corresponding to 3.3 standard deviations including systematic uncertainties. This represents the first evidence for $C\!P$ violation in the baryon sector.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Observation of the suppressed decay $Λ^{0}_{b}\rightarrow pπ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-}$

The suppressed decay $Λ^{0}_{b}\rightarrow pπ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-}$, excluding the $J/ψ$ and $ψ(2S)\rightarrow μ^{+}μ^{-}$ resonances, is observed for the first time with a significance of 5.5 standard deviations. The analysis is performed with proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected with the LHCb experiment. The $Λ^{0}_{b}\rightarrow pπ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-}$ branching fraction is measured relative to the $Λ^{0}_{b}\rightarrow J/ψ(\rightarrow μ^{+}μ^{-})pπ^{-}$ branching fraction giving \begin{align} \nonumber \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ^{0}_{b}\rightarrow pπ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-})}{\mathcal{B}({Λ^{0}_{b}\rightarrow J/ψ(\rightarrow μ^{+}μ^{-})pπ^{-}})} &= 0.044\pm0.012\pm0.007, \end{align} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the first observation of a $b\rightarrow d$ transition in a baryonic decay.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Evidence for the two-body charmless baryonic decay $B^+ \to p \barΛ$

A search for the rare two-body charmless baryonic decay $B^+ \to p \barΛ$ is performed with $pp$ collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3\,\mbox{fb}^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. An excess of $B^+ \to p \barΛ$ candidates with respect to background expectations is seen with a statistical significance of 4.1 standard deviations, and constitutes the first evidence for this decay. The branching fraction, measured using the $B^+ \to K^0_{\mathrm S} π^+$ decay for normalisation, is \begin{eqnarray} \mathcal{B}(B^+ \to p \barΛ) & = & ( 2.4 \,^{+1.0}_{-0.8} \pm 0.3 ) \times 10^{-7} \,, \nonumber \end{eqnarray} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Search for $CP$ violation in the phase space of $D^0\rightarrowπ^+π^-π^+π^-$ decays

A search for time-integrated $CP$ violation in the Cabibbo-suppressed decay $\mbox{$D^0\rightarrowπ^+π^-π^+π^-$}$ is performed using an unbinned, model-independent technique known as the energy test. This is the first application of the energy test in four-body decays. The search is performed for $P$-even $CP$ asymmetries and, for the first time, is extended to probe the $P$-odd case. Using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}=$7 TeV and 8 TeV, the world's best sensitivity to $CP$ violation in this decay is obtained. The data are found to be consistent with the hypothesis of $CP$ symmetry with a $p$-value of $(4.6\pm0.5)\%$ in the $P$-even case, and marginally consistent with a $p$-value of $(0.6\pm0.2)\%$ in the $P$-odd case, corresponding to a significance for $CP$ non-conservation of 2.7 standard deviations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of $CP$ asymmetry in $D^0\rightarrow K^-K^+$ decays

A measurement of the time-integrated $CP$ asymmetry in the Cabibbo-suppressed decay $D^0\rightarrow K^-K^+$ is performed using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3fb$^{-1}$, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The flavour of the charm meson at production is determined from the charge of the pion in $D^{*+}\rightarrow D^0 π^+$ and $D^{*-}\rightarrow \bar{D^0} π^-$ decays. The time-integrated $CP$ asymmetry $A_{CP}(K^-K^+)$ is obtained assuming negligible $CP$ violation in charm mixing and in Cabibbo-favoured $D^0\rightarrow K^-π^+$, $D^+\rightarrow K^-π^+π^+$ and $D^+\rightarrow \bar{K^0}π^+$ decays used as calibration channels. It is found to be $A_{CP}(K^-K^+)=(0.14\pm0.15(stat)\pm0.10(syst))\%$. A combination of this result with previous LHCb measurements yields $A_{CP}(K^-K^+)=(0.04\pm0.12(stat)\pm0.10(syst))\%$, $A_{CP}(π^-π^+)=(0.07\pm0.14(stat)\pm0.11(syst))\%$. These are the most precise measurements from a single experiment. The result for $A_{CP}(K^-K^+)$ is the most precise determination of a time-integrated $CP$ asymmetry in the charm sector to date, and neither measurement shows evidence of CP asymmetry.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of $CP$ asymmetries in $D^{\pm}\rightarrow η^{\prime} π^{\pm}$ and $D_s^{\pm}\rightarrow η^{\prime} π^{\pm}$ decays

A search for $CP$ violation in $D^{\pm}\rightarrow η^{\prime} π^{\pm}$ and $D^{\pm}_{s}\rightarrow η^{\prime} π^{\pm}$ decays is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3$ fb$^{-1}$, recorded by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of $7$ and $8$ TeV. The measured $CP$-violating charge asymmetries are $A_{CP}(D^{\pm} \rightarrow η^{\prime} π^{\pm})=(-0.61\pm 0.72 \pm 0.53 \pm 0.12)\%$ and $A_{CP}(D^{\pm}_{s}\rightarrow η^{\prime} π^{\pm})=(-0.82\pm 0.36 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.27)\%$, where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second systematic, and the third are the uncertainties on the $A_{CP}(D^{\pm} \rightarrow K^0_S π^{\pm})$ and $A_{CP}(D^{\pm}_{s}\rightarrow ϕπ^{\pm})$ measurements used for calibration. The results represent the most precise measurements of these asymmetries to date.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurements of prompt charm production cross-sections in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13\,\mathrm{TeV}$

Production cross-sections of prompt charm mesons are measured with the first data from $pp$ collisions at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of $13\,\mathrm{TeV}$. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $4.98 \pm 0.19\,\mathrm{pb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment. The production cross-sections of $D^{0}$, $D^{+}$, $D_{s}^{+}$, and $D^{*+}$ mesons are measured in bins of charm meson transverse momentum, $p_{\mathrm{T}}$, and rapidity, $y$, and cover the range $0 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 15\,\mathrm{GeV}/c$ and $2.0 < y < 4.5$. The inclusive cross-sections for the four mesons, including charge conjugation, within the range of $1 < p_{\mathrm{T}} < 8\,\mathrm{GeV}/c$ are found to be \begin{equation} σ(pp \to D^{0} X) = 2072 \pm 2 \pm 124\,μ\mathrm{b}\\ σ(pp \to D^{+} X) = 834 \pm 2 \pm \phantom{1}78\,μ\mathrm{b}\\ σ(pp \to D_{s}^{+} X) = 353 \pm 9 \pm \phantom{1}76\,μ\mathrm{b}\\ σ(pp \to D^{*+} X) = 784 \pm 4 \pm \phantom{1}87\,μ\mathrm{b} \end{equation} where the uncertainties are due to statistical and systematic uncertainties, respectively.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions $\mathcal{B}(B_{c}^{+} \to J/ψK^{+})/\mathcal{B}(B_{c}^{+} \to J/ψπ^{+})$

The ratio of branching fractions $R_{K/π} \equiv \mathcal{B}(B_{c}^{+} \to J/ψK^{+})/\mathcal{B}(B_{c}^{+} \to J/ψπ^{+})$ is measured with $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 TeV and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3${\mbox{fb}^{-1}}$. It is found to be $ R_{K/π} = 0.079\pm0.007\pm0.003$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This measurement is consistent with the previous LHCb result, while the uncertainties are significantly reduced.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurements of prompt charm production cross-sections in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 5\,$TeV

Production cross-sections of prompt charm mesons are measured using data from $pp$ collisions at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of $5\,$TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $8.60\pm0.33\,$pb$^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment. The production cross-sections of $D^0$, $D^+$, $D_s^+$, and $D^{*+}$ mesons are measured in bins of charm meson transverse momentum, $p_{\text{T}}$, and rapidity, $y$. They cover the rapidity range $2.0<y<4.5$ and transverse momentum ranges $0 < p_{\text{T}} < 10\, \text{GeV}/c$ for $D^0$ and $D^+$ and $1 < p_{\text{T}} < 10\, \text{GeV}/c$ for $D_s^+$ and $D^{*+}$ mesons. The inclusive cross-sections for the four mesons, including charge-conjugate states, within the range of $1 < p_{\text{T}} < 8\, \text{GeV}/c$ are determined to be σ(pp\rightarrow D^0 X) = 1004 \pm 3 \pm 54\,μ\text{b} σ(pp\rightarrow D^+ X) = 402 \pm 2 \pm 30\,μ\text{b} σ(pp\rightarrow D_s^+ X) = 170 \pm 4 \pm 16\,μ\text{b} σ(pp\rightarrow D^{*+} X)= 421 \pm 5 \pm 36\,μ\text{b} where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of forward $J/ψ$ production cross-sections in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV

The production of $J/ψ$ mesons in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV is studied with the \lhcb detector. Cross-section measurements are performed as a function of the transverse momentum $p_\mathrm{T}$ and the rapidity $y$ of the $J/ψ$ meson in the region $p_\mathrm{T}<14\mathrm{GeV}/c$ and $2.0<y<4.5$, for both prompt $J/ψ$ mesons and $J/ψ$ mesons from $b$-hadron decays. The production cross-sections integrated over the kinematic coverage are $15.03\pm 0.03\pm 0.94$ $μ$b for prompt $J/ψ$ and $2.25\pm 0.01\pm 0.14$ $μ$b for $J/ψ$ from $b$-hadron decays, assuming zero polarization of the $J/ψ$ meson. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The cross-section reported for $J/ψ$ mesons from $b$-hadron decays is used to extrapolate to a total $b\bar{b}$ cross-section. The ratios of the cross-sections with respect to $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV are also determined.

hep-ex↗