arXiv subjects

J. Blouw

Publications and source records attributed to J. Blouw.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Evidence for CP violation in $B^+\to p \bar p K^+$ decays

Three-body $B^+\to p \overline p K^+$ and $B^+\to p \overline p π^+$ decays are studied using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 $fb^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of $7$ and $8$ TeV. Evidence of CP violation in the $B^+\to p \overline p K^+$ decay is found in regions of the phase space, representing the first measurement of this kind for a final state containing baryons. Measurements of the forward-backward asymmetry of the light meson in the $p\overline p$ rest frame yield $A_{\mathrm{FB}}(p \overline p K^+,~m_{p\overline p}<2.85\mathrm{\,Ge\kern -0.1em V\!/}c^2)=0.495\pm0.012~(\mathrm{stat})\pm0.007~(\mathrm{syst})$ and $A_{\mathrm{FB}}(p\overline p π^+,~m_{p\overline p}<2.85\mathrm{\,Ge\kern -0.1em V\!/}c^2)=-0.409\pm0.033~(\mathrm{stat})\pm0.006~(\mathrm{syst})$. In addition, the branching fraction of the decay $B^+\to\kern 0.1em\overline{\kern -0.1emΛ}(1520)p$ is measured to be $\mathcal{B}(B^+ \to \kern 0.1em\overline{\kern -0.1emΛ}(1520)p)=(3.15\pm0.48~(\mathrm{stat})\pm0.07~(\mathrm{syst})\pm0.26~(\mathrm{BF}))\times 10^{-7}$, where BF denotes the uncertainty on secondary branching fractions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurements of charm mixing and $C\!P$ violation using $D^0 \to K^\pm π^\mp$ decays

Measurements of charm mixing and $C\!P$ violation parameters from the decay-time-dependent ratio of $ D^0 \to K^+ π^- $ to $ D^0 \to K^- π^+ $ decay rates and the charge-conjugate ratio are reported. The analysis uses $\overline{B}\to D^{*+} μ^- X$, and charge-conjugate decays, where $D^{*+}\to D^0 π^+$, and $D^0\to K^{\mp} π^{\pm}$. The $pp$ collision data are recorded by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$. The data are analyzed under three hypotheses: (i) mixing assuming $C\!P$ symmetry, (ii) mixing assuming no direct $C\!P$ violation in the Cabibbo-favored or doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decay amplitudes, and (iii) mixing allowing either direct $C\!P$ violation and/or $C\!P$ violation in the superpositions of flavor eigenstates defining the mass eigenstates. The data are also combined with those from a previous LHCb study of $D^0\to K π$ decays from a disjoint set of $ D^{*+} $ candidates produced directly in $pp$ collisions. In all cases, the data are consistent with the hypothesis of $C\!P$ symmetry.

hep-ex↗

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

Test of Lepton Flavor Universality by the measurement of the $B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ ν_τ$ branching fraction using three-prong $τ$ decays

The ratio of branching fractions ${\cal{R}}(D^{*-})\equiv {\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ ν_τ)/{\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} μ^+ν_μ)$ is measured using a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3$~$fb$^{-1}$. The $τ$ lepton is reconstructed with three charged pions in the final state. A novel method is used that exploits the different vertex topologies of signal and backgrounds to isolate samples of semitauonic decays of $b$ hadrons with high purity. Using the $B^0 \to D^{*-}π^+π^-π^+$ decay as the normalization channel, the ratio ${\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ ν_τ)/{\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-}π^+π^-π^+)$ is measured to be $1.97 \pm 0.13 \pm 0.18$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. An average of branching fraction measurements for the normalization channel is used to derive ${\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ ν_τ) = (1.42 \pm 0.094 \pm 0.129 \pm 0.054) \%$, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of ${\cal{B}}(B^0\to D^{*-}π^+π^-π^+)$. A test of lepton flavor universality is performed using the well-measured branching fraction ${\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} μ^+ν_μ)$ to compute ${\cal{R}}(D^{*-}) = 0.291 \pm 0.019 \pm 0.026 \pm 0.013$, where the third uncertainty originates from the uncertainties on ${\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-}π^+π^-π^+)$ and ${\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} μ^+ν_μ)$. This measurement is in agreement with the Standard Model prediction and with previous measurements.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Measurement of the ratio of the $B^0 \to D^{-} τ^+ ν_τ$ and $B^0 \to D^{-} μ^+ ν_μ$ branching fractions using three-prong $τ$-lepton decays

The ratio of branching fractions ${\cal{R}}(D^{*-})\equiv {\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ ν_τ)/{\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} μ^+ν_μ)$ is measured using a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 Tev, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3$~$fb$^{-1}$. For the first time ${\cal{R}}(D^{*-})$ is determined using the $τ$ lepton decays with three charged pions in the final state. The $B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ν_τ$ yield is normalized to that of the $B^0\to D^{*-} π^+π^-π^+$ mode, providing a measurement of ${\cal{B}}(B^0\to D^{*-}τ^+ν_τ)/{\cal{B}}(B^0\to D^{*-}π^+π^-π^+) = 1.97 \pm 0.13 \pm 0.18$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The value of ${\cal{B}}(B^0 \to D^{*-} τ^+ ν_τ) = (1.42 \pm 0.094 \pm 0.129 \pm 0.054)\% $ is obtained, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the branching fraction of the normalization mode. Using the well-measured branching fraction of the $B^0 \to D^{*-} μ^+ν_μ$ decay, a value of ${\cal{R}}(D^{*-}) = 0.291 \pm 0.019 \pm 0.026 \pm 0.013$ is established, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the branching fractions of the normalization and $B^0\to D^{*-}μ^+ν_μ$ modes. This measurement is in agreement with the Standard Model prediction and with previous results.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Measurements of the branching fractions of $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} π^{+}$, $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} K^{+}$, and $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} K^{+}$

The ratios of the branching fractions of the decays $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} π^{+}$, $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} K^{+}$, and $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} K^{+}$ with respect to the Cabibbo-favoured $Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} π^{+}$ decay are measured using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb experiment at a 7 TeV centre-of-mass energy and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb$^{-1}$: \begin{align*} \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} π^{+})}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} π^{+})} & = (7.44 \pm 0.08 \pm 0.18)\,\%, \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} K^{+})}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} π^{+})} &= (1.70 \pm 0.03 \pm 0.03)\,\%, \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} K^{+})}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} π^{+})} & = (0.165 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.005 )\,\%, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results are the most precise measurements of these quantities to date. When multiplied by the world-average value for $\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} π^{+})$, the corresponding branching fractions are \begin{align*} \mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} π^{+}) &= (4.72 \pm 0.05 \pm 0.11 \pm 0.25) \times 10^{-3}, \mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} K^{+}) &= (1.08 \pm 0.02 \pm 0.02 \pm 0.06) \times 10^{-3}, \mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p π^{-} K^{+}) &= (1.04 \pm 0.09 \pm 0.03 \pm 0.05) \times 10^{-4}, \end{align*} where the final uncertainty is due to $\mathcal{B}(Λ_{c}^{+} \rightarrow p K^{-} π^{+})$.

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↗

arXiv2018

Observation of the decay $Λ^0_b \to p K^- μ^+ μ^-$ and a search for $C\!P$ violation

A search for $C\!P$ violation in the decay $Λ^0_b \to p K^- μ^+ μ^-$ is presented. This decay is mediated by flavour-changing neutral-current transitions in the Standard Model and is potentially sensitive to new sources of $C\!P$ violation. The study is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions recorded with the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3$ $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$. The $Λ^0_b \to p K^- μ^+ μ^-$ decay is observed for the first time, and two observables that are sensitive to different manifestations of $C\!P$ violation are measured, $Δ\mathcal{A}_{C\!P} \equiv \mathcal{A}_{C\!P}(Λ^0_b \to p K^- μ^+ μ^-)-\mathcal{A}_{C\!P}(Λ^0_b\to pK^- J/ψ)$ and $a_{C\!P}^{\widehat{T}-odd}$, where the latter is based on asymmetries in the angle between the $μ^+μ^-$ and $p K^-$ decay planes. These are measured to be $Δ\mathcal{A}_{C\!P} = (-3.5 \pm 5.0(stat) \pm 0.2(syst))\times 10^{-2}$, $a_{C\!P}^{\widehat{T}-odd} = (1.2 \pm 5.0(stat) \pm 0.7(syst))\times 10^{-2}$, and no evidence for $C\!P$ violation is found.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Measurement of the shape of the $Λ_b^0\toΛ_c^+ μ^- \overlineν$ differential decay rate

A measurement of the shape of the differential decay rate and the associated Isgur-Wise function for the decay $Λ_b^0\toΛ_c^+μ^-\overlineν$ is reported, using data corresponding to $3 fb^{-1}$ collected with the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions. The $Λ_c^+μ^-\overlineν$(+ anything) final states are reconstructed through the detection of a muon and a $Λ_c^+$ baryon decaying into $pK^-π^+$, and the decays $Λ_b^0\toΛ_c^+π^+π^-μ^-\overlineν$ are used to determine contributions from $Λ_b^0\to Λ_c^{\star+}μ^-\barν$ decays. The measured dependence of the differential decay rate upon the squared four-momentum transfer between the heavy baryons, $q^2$, is compared with expectations from heavy-quark effective theory and from unquenched lattice QCD predictions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

First observation of forward $Z \rightarrow b \bar{b}$ production in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV

The decay $Z \rightarrow b \bar{b}$ is reconstructed in $pp$ collision data, corresponding to 2 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV. The product of the $Z$ production cross-section and the $Z \rightarrow b \bar{b}$ branching fraction is measured for candidates in the fiducial region defined by two particle-level $b$-quark jets with pseudorapidities in the range $2.2 < η< 4.2$, with transverse momenta $p_{T}>20$ GeV and dijet invariant mass in the range $45 < m_{jj} < 165$ GeV. From a signal yield of $5462 \pm 763$ $Z \rightarrow b \bar{b}$ events, where the uncertainty is statistical, a production cross-section times branching fraction of $332 \pm 46 \pm 59$ pb is obtained, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The measured significance of the signal yield is 6.0 standard deviations. This measurement represents the first observation of the $Z \rightarrow b \bar{b}$ production in the forward region of $pp$ collisions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Improved performance of the LHCb Outer Tracker in LHC Run 2

The LHCb Outer Tracker is a gaseous detector covering an area of $5\times 6 m^2$ with 12 double layers of straw tubes. The performance of the detector is presented based on data of the LHC Run 2 running period from 2015 and 2016. Occupancies and operational experience for data collected in $p p$, pPb and PbPb collisions are described. An updated study of the ageing effects is presented showing no signs of gain deterioration or other radiation damage effects. In addition several improvements with respect to LHC Run 1 data taking are introduced. A novel real-time calibration of the time-alignment of the detector and the alignment of the single monolayers composing detector modules are presented, improving the drift-time and position resolution of the detector by 20\%. Finally, a potential use of the improved resolution for the timing of charged tracks is described, showing the possibility to identify low-momentum hadrons with their time-of-flight.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of the $Υ$ polarizations in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=7 and 8TeV

The polarization of the $Υ(1S)$, $Υ(2S)$ and $Υ(3S) $mesons, produced in $pp$ collisions at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}$=7 and 8TeV, is measured using data samples collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1 and 2fb$^{-1}$, respectively. The measurements are performed in three polarization frames, using $Υ\toμ^+μ^-$ decays in the kinematic region of the transverse momentum $p_{T}(Υ)<30GeV/c$, and rapidity $2.2<y(Υ)<4.5$. No large polarization is observed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Study of $b\bar{b}$ correlations in high energy proton-proton collisions

Kinematic correlations for pairs of beauty hadrons, produced in high energy proton-proton collisions, are studied. The data sample used was collected with the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$. The measurement is performed using inclusive $b\rightarrow J/ψX$ decays in the rapidity range $2<y^{J/ψ}<4.5$. The observed correlations are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of $CP$ observables in $B^\pm \to D^{()} K^\pm$ and $B^\pm \to D^{()} π^\pm$ decays

Measurements of $CP$ observables in $B^\pm \rightarrow D^{(*)} K^\pm$ and $B^\pm \rightarrow D^{(*)} π^\pm$ decays are presented, where $D^{(*)}$ indicates a neutral $D$ or $D^*$ meson that is an admixture of $D^{(*)0}$ and $\bar{D}^{(*)0}$ states. Decays of the $D^*$ meson to the $Dπ^0$ and $Dγ$ final states are partially reconstructed without inclusion of the neutral pion or photon, resulting in distinctive shapes in the $B$ candidate invariant mass distribution. Decays of the $D$ meson are fully reconstructed in the $K^\pm π^\mp$, $K^+ K^-$ and $π^+ π^-$ final states. The analysis uses a sample of charged $B$ mesons produced in $pp$ collisions collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0, 1.0 and 2.0 fb$^{-1}$ taken at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$ = 7, 8 and 13 TeV, respectively. The study of $B^{\pm} \to D^{*} K^{\pm}$ and $B^{\pm} \to D^{*} π^{\pm}$ decays using a partial reconstruction method is the first of its kind, while the measurement of $B^{\pm} \to D K^{\pm}$ and $B^{\pm} \to D π^{\pm}$ decays is an update of previous LHCb measurements. The $B^{\pm} \to D K^{\pm}$ results are the most precise to date.

hep-ex↗