arXiv subjects

M. Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to M. Alexander.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Observation of the decay $Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pπ^-$

The Cabibbo-suppressed decay $Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pπ^-$ is observed for the first time using data from proton-proton collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6fb$^{-1}$, collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV. Evidence for the $Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c2}pπ^-$ decay is also found. Using the $Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pK^-$ decay as normalisation channel, the ratios of branching fractions are measured to be $$\begin{array}{rcl} \frac{ \mathcal{B} (Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pπ^-)}{\mathcal{B} (Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pK^-)} & = & (6.59 \pm 1.01 \pm 0.22 ) \times 10^{-2} \,, \frac{\mathcal{B} (Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c2}pπ^-)}{\mathcal{B} (Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pπ^-)} & = & 0.95 \pm 0.30 \pm 0.04 \pm 0.04 \,, \frac{\mathcal{B} (Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c2}pK^-)}{\mathcal{B} (Λ_b^0\rightarrowχ_{c1}pK^-)} & = & 1.06 \pm 0.05 \pm 0.04 \pm 0.04 \,,\end{array}$$ where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is due to the uncertainties in the branching fractions of $χ_{c1,2}\rightarrow J/ψγ$ decays.

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arXiv2021

Study of the lineshape of the $χ_{c1}(3872)$ state

A study of the lineshape of the $χ_{c1}(3872)$ state is made using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3\,$fb$^{-1}$ collected in $pp$ collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8\,TeV with the LHCb detector. Candidate $χ_{c1}(3872)$ and $ψ(2S)$ mesons from b-hadron decays are selected in the $ J/ψπ^+ π^-$ decay mode. Describing the {\mbox{lineshape}} with a Breit--Wigner function, the mass splitting between the $χ_{c1}(3872)$ and $ψ(2S)$ states, $Δm$, and the width of the $χ_{c1}(3872)$ state, $Γ_{\mathrm{BW}}$, are determined to be \begin{eqnarray*} Δm & = & 185.598 \pm 0.067 \pm 0.068\, \mathrm{MeV} \,, \\ Γ_{\mathrm{BW}} & = & \phantom{00}1.39\phantom{0} \pm 0.24\phantom{0} \pm 0.10\phantom{0} \mathrm{MeV} \,, \end{eqnarray*} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Using a Flatté-inspired model, the mode and full width at half maximum of the lineshape are determined to be \begin{eqnarray*} \mathrm{mode} & = 3871.69^{\,+\,0.00\,+\,0.05}_{\,-\,0.04\,-\,0.13} &\mathrm{MeV} \\ \mathrm{FWHM} & = 0.22^{\,+\,0.07\,+\,0.11}_{\,-\,0.06\,-\,0.13}& \mathrm{MeV} . \end{eqnarray*} An investigation of the analytic structure of the Flatté amplitude reveals a pole structure, which is compatible with a quasi-bound $D^0\bar{D}^{*0}$ state but a quasi-virtual state is still allowed at the level of $2$ standard deviations.

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arXiv2021

Observation of $CP$ violation in two-body $B_{(\mathrm{s})}^{\,0}$-meson decays to charged pions and kaons

The time-dependent $CP$ asymmetries of $B^0\to π^+π^-$ and $B^0_\mathrm{s}\!\to K^+K^-$ decays are measured using a data sample of $pp$ collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.9 fb$^{-1}$, collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The results are \begin{eqnarray*} C_{ππ} & = & -0.311 \pm 0.045 \pm 0.015, \\ S_{ππ} & = & -0.706 \pm 0.042 \pm 0.013, \\ C_{KK} & = & \phantom{-}0.164 \pm 0.034 \pm 0.014, \\ S_{KK} & = & \phantom{-}0.123 \pm 0.034 \pm 0.015, \\ \cal {A}^{\mathrm{ΔΓ}}_{\mathit{KK}} & = & -0.83\phantom{0} \pm 0.05\phantom{0} \pm 0.09, \end{eqnarray*} where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The same data sample is used to measure the time-integrated $CP$ asymmetries of $B^0\to K^+π^-$ and $B^0_\mathrm{s}\to K^-π^+$ decays and the results are \begin{eqnarray*} A_{CP}^{B^0} & = & -0.0824 \pm 0.0033 \pm 0.0033, \\ A_{CP}^{B^0_\mathrm{s}} & = & \phantom{-}0.236\phantom{0} \pm 0.013\phantom{0} \pm 0.011. \end{eqnarray*} All results are consistent with earlier measurements. A combination of LHCb measurements provides the first observation of time-dependent $CP$ violation in $B^0_\mathrm{s}$ decays.

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arXiv2021

Observation of multiplicity-dependent prompt $χ_{c1}(3872)$ and $ψ(2S)$ production in $pp$ collisions

The production of $χ_{c1}(3872)$ and $ψ(2S)$ hadrons is studied as a function of charged particle multiplicity in $pp$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb$^{-1}$. For both states, the fraction that is produced promptly at the collision vertex is found to decrease as charged particle multiplicity increases. The ratio of $χ_{c1}(3872)$ to $ψ(2S)$ cross-sections for promptly produced particles is also found to decrease with multiplicity, while no significant dependence on multiplicity is observed for the equivalent ratio of particles produced away from the collision vertex in $b$-hadron decays. This behavior is consistent with a calculation that models the $χ_{c1}(3872)$ structure as a compact tetraquark. Comparisons with model calculations and implications for the binding energy of the $χ_{c1}(3872)$ state are discussed.

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arXiv2021

Measurement of the CKM angle $γ$ in $B^\pm\to D K^\pm$ and $B^\pm \to D π^\pm$ decays with $D \to K_\mathrm S^0 h^+ h^-$

A measurement of $CP$-violating observables is performed using the decays $B^\pm\to D K^\pm$ and $B^\pm\to D π^\pm$, where the $D$ meson is reconstructed in one of the self-conjugate three-body final states $K_{\mathrm S}π^+π^-$ and $K_{\mathrm S}K^+K^-$ (commonly denoted $K_{\mathrm S} h^+h^-$). The decays are analysed in bins of the $D$-decay phase space, leading to a measurement that is independent of the modelling of the $D$-decay amplitude. The observables are interpreted in terms of the CKM angle $γ$. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\,\text{fb}^{-1}$ collected in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of $7$, $8$, and $13\,\text{TeV}$ with the LHCb experiment, $γ$ is measured to be $\left(68.7^{+5.2}_{-5.1}\right)^\circ$. The hadronic parameters $r_B^{DK}$, $r_B^{Dπ}$, $δ_B^{DK}$, and $δ_B^{Dπ}$, which are the ratios and strong-phase differences of the suppressed and favoured $B^\pm$ decays, are also reported.

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arXiv2021

Observation of the $\varLambda^0_b \to \varLambda^+_c K^+ K^- π^-$ decay

The $\varLambda^0_b \to \varLambda^+_c K^+ K^- π^-$ decay is observed for the first time using a data sample of proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 $\rm{TeV}$ collected by the $\mbox{LHCb}$ detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3{\rm{fb}^{-1}}$. The ratio of branching fractions between the $\varLambda^0_b \to \varLambda^+_c K^+ K^- π^-$ and the $\varLambda^{0}_{b}\to\varLambda^{+}_{c}D^{-}_{s}$ decays is measured to be \begin{equation*} \frac{\mathcal{B} ( \varLambda^0_b \to \varLambda^+_c K^+ K^- π^-) } {\mathcal{B} ( \varLambda^0_b \to \varLambda^+_c D^-_s)} = (9.26 \pm 0.29 \pm 0.46 \pm 0.26)\times10^{-2}, \end{equation*} where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third is due to the knowledge of the $D^-_s \to K^+ K^- π^-$ branching fraction. No structure on the invariant mass distribution of the $\varLambda^+_c K^+$ system is found, consistent with no open-charm pentaquark signature.

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arXiv2021

Measurement of CP violation in the decay $B^{+} \rightarrow K^{+} π^{0}$

A measurement of direct CP violation in the decay $B^{+} \rightarrow K^{+} π^{0}$ is reported using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 $\textrm{fb}^{-1}$, collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV. The CP asymmetry is measured to be $0.025 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.006 \pm 0.003$, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to an external input, respectively. This is the most precise measurement of the CP asymmetry in the decay $B^{+} \rightarrow K^{+} π^{0}$ and exceeds the precision on the current world average. This direct CP asymmetry is a key input to studies of a long-standing anomaly in $B$ meson decays, known as the $Kπ$-puzzle. The asymmetry is consistent with the previous measurements of this quantity, confirming and significantly enhancing the observed anomalous difference between the direct CP asymmetries of the $B^{0} \rightarrow K^{+} π^{-}$ and $B^{+} \rightarrow K^{+} π^{0}$ decays.

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arXiv2021

First observation of the decay $B_s^0 \to K^-μ^+ν_μ$ and a measurement of $|V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}|$

The first observation of the suppressed semileptonic $B_s^0 \to K^-μ^+ν_μ$ decay is reported. Using a data sample recorded in {\it pp} collisions in 2012 with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$, the branching fraction \mbox{$\mathcal{B}(B_s^0 \to K^-μ^+ν_μ)$} is measured to be $(1.06\pm0.05~(\mathrm{stat})\pm0.08~(\mathrm{syst}))\times 10^{-4}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one represents the combined systematic uncertainties. The decay $B_s^0 \to D_s^-μ^+ν_μ$, where $D_s^-$ is reconstructed in the final state $K^+K^-π^-$, is used as a normalization channel to minimize the experimental systematic uncertainty. Theoretical calculations on the form factors of the $B_s^0 \to K^-$ and $B_s^0 \to D_s^-$ transitions are employed to determine the ratio of the CKM matrix elements ${|V_{ub}|}/{|V_{cb}|}$ at low and high $B_s^0 \to K^-$ momentum transfer.

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arXiv2021

Measurement of differential $b\bar{b}$- and $c\bar{c}$-dijet cross-sections in the forward region of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13 ~ \mathrm{TeV}$

The inclusive $b \bar{b}$- and $c \bar{c}$-dijet production cross-sections in the forward region of $pp$ collisions are measured using a data sample collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 2016. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.6 fb$^{-1}$. Differential cross-sections are measured as a function of the transverse momentum and of the pseudorapidity of the leading jet, of the rapidity difference between the jets, and of the dijet invariant mass. A fiducial region for the measurement is defined by requiring that the two jets originating from the two $b$ or $c$ quarks are emitted with transverse momentum greater than 20 GeV$/c$, pseudorapidity in the range $2.2 < η< 4.2$, and with a difference in the azimuthal angle between the two jets greater than 1.5. The integrated $b \bar{b}$-dijet cross-section is measured to be $53.0 \pm 9.7$ nb, and the total $c \bar{c}$-dijet cross-section is measured to be $73 \pm 16$ nb. The ratio between $c \bar{c}$- and $b \bar{b}$-dijet cross-sections is also measured and found to be $1.37 \pm 0.27$. The results are in agreement with theoretical predictions at next-to-leading order.

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arXiv2021

Study of $B^0_s \rightarrow J/ψπ^+π^-K^+K^-$ decays

The decays $B^0_s \rightarrow J/ψπ^+π^- K^+ K^-$ are studied using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9fb$^{-1}$, collected with the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13TeV. The decays $B^0_s \rightarrow J/ψK^{\ast0} \bar{K}^{\ast0}$ and $B^0_s \rightarrow χ_{c1}(3872)K^+K^-$, where the $K^+K^-$ pair does not originate from a $ϕ$ meson, are observed for the first time. Precise measurements of the ratios of branching fractions between intermediate $χ_{c1}(3872)ϕ$, $J/ψK^{\ast0}\bar{K}^{\ast0}$, $ψ(2S)ϕ$ and $χ_{c1}(3872)K^+K^-$ states are reported. A structure, denoted as $X(4740)$, is observed in the $J/ψϕ$ mass spectrum and, assuming a Breit-Wigner parameterisation, its mass and width are determined to be \begin{eqnarray*} m_{X(4740)} & = & 4741 \pm 6 \pm 6\,{\mathrm{MeV}}/c^2 \,, \\ Γ_{X(4740)} & = & 53 \pm 15 \pm 11\,{\mathrm{MeV}} \,, \end{eqnarray*} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. In addition, the most precise single measurement of the mass of the $B^0_s$ meson is performed and gives a value of $$ m_{B^0_s} = 5366.98 \pm 0.07 \pm 0.13\,{\mathrm{MeV}}/c^2\,. $$

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arXiv2021

Constraints on the $K^0_{\mathrm{S}}\rightarrowμ^{+}μ^{-}$ branching fraction

A search for the decay $K^0_{\mathrm{S}}\rightarrowμ^{+}μ^{-}$ is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.6\,\text{fb}^{-1}$ and collected with the LHCb experiment during 2016, 2017 and 2018 at a center-of-mass energy of $13\,\mathrm{TeV}$. The observed signal yield is consistent with zero, yielding an upper limit of ${\cal B}(K^0_{\mathrm{S}}\rightarrowμ^{+}μ^{-}) < 2.2 \times 10^{-10}$ at 90% CL. The limit reduces to ${\cal B}(K^0_{\mathrm{S}}\rightarrowμ^{+}μ^{-}) < 2.1 \times 10^{-10}$ at 90% CL once combined with the result from data taken in 2011 and 2012.

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arXiv2021

Measurement of the shape of the $B_s^0\rightarrow D_s^{*-}μ^{+}ν_μ$ differential decay rate

The shape of the $B_s^0\rightarrow D_s^{*-}μ^+ν_μ$ differential decay rate is obtained as a function of the hadron recoil using proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb detector. The $B_s^0\rightarrow D_s^{*-}μ^+ν_μ$ decay is reconstructed through the decays $D_s^{*-}\rightarrow D_s^{-}γ$ and $D_s^{-}\rightarrow K^-K^+π^-$. The differential decay rate is fitted with the Caprini-Lellouch-Neubert (CLN) and Boyd-Grinstein-Lebed (BGL) parametrisations of the form factors, and the relevant quantities for both are extracted.

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arXiv2021

Observation of a new $Ξ_b^0$ state

Using a proton-proton collision data sample collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.5 fb$^{-1}$, the observation of a new excited $Ξ_b^0$ resonance decaying to the $Ξ_b^-π^+$ final state is presented. The state, referred to as $Ξ_b(6227)^0$, has a measured mass and natural width of $m(Ξ_b(6227)^0) = 6227.1^{\,+1.4}_{\,-1.5}\pm0.5$ MeV, $Γ(Ξ_b(6227)^0) = 18.6^{\,+5.0}_{\,-4.1}\pm1.4$ MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic. The production rate of the $Ξ_b(6227)^0$ state relative to that of the $Ξ_b^-$ baryon in the kinematic region $2<η<5$ and $p_{\rm T}<30$ GeV is measured to be $\frac{f_{Ξ_b(6227)^0}}{f_{Ξ_b^-}}{\mathcal{B}}(Ξ_b(6227)^0\toΞ_b^-π^+) = 0.045\pm0.008\pm0.004$, where ${\mathcal{B}}(Ξ_b(6227)^0\toΞ_b^-π^+)$ is the branching fraction of the decay, and $f_{Ξ_b(6227)^0}$ and $f_{Ξ_b^-}$ represent fragmentation fractions. Improved measurements of the mass and natural width of the previously observed $Ξ_b(6227)^-$ state, along with the mass of the $Ξ_b^-$ baryon, are also reported. Both measurements are significantly more precise than, and consistent with, previously reported values.

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arXiv2021

Measurement of branching fraction ratios for $B^+\to D^{+}D^-K^+$, $B^+\to D^{-}D^+K^+$, and $B^0\to D^{*-}D^0K^+$ decays

A measurement of four branching-fraction ratios for three-body decays of $B$ mesons involving two open-charm hadrons in the final state is presented. Run 1 and Run 2 $pp$ collision data are used, recorded by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies $7$, $8$, and $13$ TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9$ fb$^{-1}$. The measured branching-fraction ratios are \[ \begin{eqnarray} \frac{\mathcal{B} (B^+\to D^{*+}D^-K^+)}{\mathcal{B} (B^+\to \kern 0.2em\overline{\kern -0.2em D}{}^0 D^0 K^+)} &=& 0.517 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.013 \pm 0.011 , \\ \frac{\mathcal{B} (B^+\to D^{*-}D^+K^+)}{\mathcal{B} (B^+\to \kern 0.2em\overline{\kern -0.2em D}{}^0 D^0 K^+)} &=& 0.577 \pm 0.016 \pm 0.013 \pm 0.013 , \\ \frac{\mathcal{B} (B^0\to D^{*-}D^0K^+)}{\mathcal{B} (B^0\to D^- D^0 K^+)} &=& 1.754 \pm 0.028 \pm 0.016 \pm 0.035 , \\ \frac{\mathcal{B} (B^+\to D^{*+}D^-K^+)}{\mathcal{B} (B^+\to D^{*-}D^+K^+)} &=& 0.907 \pm 0.033 \pm 0.014 ,\end{eqnarray} \] where the first of the uncertainties is statistical, the second systematic, and the third is due to the uncertainties on the $D$-meson branching fractions. These are the most accurate measurements of these ratios to date.

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arXiv2020

First observation of the decay $Λ_b^0 \to η_c(1S) p K^-$

The decay $Λ_b^0 \to η_c(1S) p K^-$ is observed for the first time using a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.5 $fb^{-1}$, collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The branching fraction of the decay is measured, using the $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψp K^-$ decay as a normalization mode, to be $\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to η_c(1S) p K^-)=(1.06\pm0.16\pm0.06^{+0.22}_{-0.19})\times10^{-4}$, where the quoted uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to external inputs, respectively. A study of the $η_c(1S) p$ mass spectrum is performed to search for the $P_c(4312)^+$ pentaquark state. No evidence is observed and an upper limit of \begin{equation*} \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to P_c(4312)^+ K^-)\times \mathcal{B}(P_c(4312)^+ \to η_c(1S) p)}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to η_c(1S) p K^-)} < 0.24 \end{equation*} is obtained at the 95% confidence level.

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arXiv2020

Measurement of the relative branching fractions of $B^+ \to h^+h^{\prime +}h^{\prime -}$ decays

The relative branching fractions of $B^+ \to h^+h^{\prime +}h^{\prime -}$ decays, where $h^{(\prime)}$ is a pion or kaon, are measured. The analysis is performed with a data sample, collected with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3.0 {\rm fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions. The results obtained improve significantly on previous measurements of these quantities, and are important for the interpretation of Dalitz plot analyses of three-body charmless hadronic decays of $B^+$ mesons.

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arXiv2020

Amplitude analysis of the $B^+\to D^+D^-K^+$ decay

Results are reported from an amplitude analysis of the $B^+\to D^+D^-K^+$ decay. The analysis is carried out using LHCb proton-proton collision data taken at $\sqrt{s}=7,8,$ and $13$ TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. In order to obtain a good description of the data, it is found to be necessary to include new spin-0 and spin-1 resonances in the $D^-K^+$ channel with masses around 2.9 GeV$/c^2$, and a new spin-0 charmonium resonance in proximity to the spin-2 $χ_{c2}(3930)$ state. The masses and widths of these resonances are determined, as are the relative contributions of all components in the amplitude model, which additionally include the vector charmonia $ψ(3770)$, $ψ(4040)$, $ψ(4160)$ and $ψ(4415)$ states and a nonresonant component.

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arXiv2020

Model-independent study of structure in $B^+\to D^+D^-K^+$ decays

The only anticipated resonant contributions to $B^+\to D^+D^-K^+$ decays are charmonium states in the $D^+D^-$ channel. A model-independent analysis, using LHCb proton-proton collision data taken at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}=7,8,$ and $13$ TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$, is carried out to test this hypothesis. The description of the data assuming that resonances only manifest in decays to the $D^+D^-$ pair is shown to be incomplete. This constitutes evidence for a new contribution to the decay, potentially one or more new charm-strange resonances in the $D^-K^+$ channel with masses around 2.9 GeV$/c^2$.

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