arXiv subjects

M. Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to M. Alexander.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

Study of $b$-hadron decays to $\mathitΛ_{c}^+ h^- h^{\prime -}$ final states

Decays of $\mathitΞ_{b}^-$ and $\mathitΩ_{b}^-$ baryons to $\mathitΛ_{c}^+ h^- h^{\prime -}$ final states, with $h^- h^{\prime -}$ being $π^-π^-$, $K^-π^-$ and $K^-K^-$ meson pairs, are searched for using data collected with the LHCb detector. The data sample studied corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $8.7\,\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions collected at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s} = 7$, $8$ and $13\,\mathrm{Te\kern -0.1em V}$. The products of the relative branching fractions and fragmentation fractions for each signal mode, relative to the $B^- \to \mathitΛ_{c}^+ \overline{p} π^-$ mode, are measured, with $\mathitΞ_{b}^- \to\mathitΛ_{c}^+ K^- π^-$, $\mathitΞ_{b}^- \to\mathitΛ_{c}^+ K^- K^-$ and $\mathitΩ_{b}^- \to\mathitΛ_{c}^+ K^- K^-$ decays being observed at over $5\,σ$ significance. The $\mathitΞ_{b}^- \to\mathitΛ_{c}^+ K^- π^-$ mode is also used to measure the $\mathitΞ_{b}^-$ production asymmetry, which is found to be consistent with zero. In addition, the $B^- \to \mathitΛ_{c}^+ \overline{p} K^-$ decay is observed for the first time, and its branching fraction is measured relative to that of the $B^- \to \mathitΛ_{c}^+ \overline{p} π^-$ mode.

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arXiv2024

Search for the rare decay of charmed baryon $Λ_c^+$ into $p μ^+ μ^-$ final state

A search for the nonresonant $Λ_c^+ \to p μ^+ μ^-$ decay is performed using proton-proton collision data recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb$^{-1}$. No evidence for the decay is found in the dimuon invariant-mass regions where the expected contributions of resonances is subdominant. The upper limit on the branching fraction of the $Λ_c^+ \to p μ^+ μ^-$ decay is determined to be $2.9~(3.2) \times 10^{-8}$ at 90% (95%) confidence level. The branching fractions in the dimuon invariant-mass regions dominated by the $η$, $ρ$ and $ω$ resonances are also determined.

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arXiv2024

Measurement of $Ξ_{c}^{+}$ production in $p$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=8.16$ TeV at LHCb

A study of prompt $Ξ_{c}^{+}$ production in proton-lead collisions is performed with the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 8.16 TeV in 2016 in $p$Pb and Pb$p$ collisions with an estimated integrated luminosity of approximately 12.5 and 17.4 nb$^{-1}$, respectively. The $Ξ_{c}^{+}$ production cross-section, as well as the $Ξ_{c}^{+}$ to $Λ_{c}^{+}$ production cross-section ratio, are measured as a function of the transverse momentum and rapidity and compared to latest theory predictions. The forward-backward asymmetry is also measured as a function of the $Ξ_{c}^{+}$ transverse momentum.

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arXiv2024

Tracking of charged particles with nanosecond lifetimes at LHCb

A method is presented to reconstruct charged particles with lifetimes between 10 ps and 10 ns, which considers a combination of their decay products and the partial tracks created by the initial charged particle. Using the $Ξ^-$ baryon as a benchmark, the method is demonstrated with simulated events and proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0 fb${}^{-1}$ collected with the LHCb detector in 2018. Significant improvements in the angular resolution and the signal purity are obtained. The method is implemented as part of the LHCb Run 3 event trigger in a set of requirements to select detached hyperons. This is the first demonstration of the applicability of this approach at the LHC, and the first to show its scaling with instantaneous luminosity.

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arXiv2024

Amplitude analysis and branching fraction measurement of $B^{+}\to D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ decays

The decays of the $B^{+}$ meson to the final state $D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ are studied in proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. The ratio of branching fractions of the $B^{+}\to D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ and $B^{0}\to D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}$ decays is measured to be $0.173\pm 0.006\pm 0.010$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. Using partially reconstructed $D^{*+}_{s}\to D^{+}_{s}γ$ and $D^{+}_{s}π^{0}$ decays, the ratio of branching fractions between the $B^{+}\to D^{*-}D^{*+}_{s}π^{+}$ and $B^{+}\to D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ decays is determined as $1.31\pm 0.07\pm 0.14$. An amplitude analysis of the $B^{+}\to D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ decay is performed for the first time, revealing dominant contributions from known excited charm resonances decaying to the $D^{*-}π^{+}$ final state. No significant evidence of exotic contributions in the $D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ or $D^{*-}D^{+}_{s}$ channels is found. The fit fraction of the scalar state $T_{c\bar{s} 0}^{\ast}(2900)^{++}$ observed in the $B^{+}\to D^{-}D^{+}_{s}π^{+}$ decay is determined to be less than 2.3% at a 90% confidence level.

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arXiv2024

The LHCb upgrade I

The LHCb upgrade represents a major change of the experiment. The detectors have been almost completely renewed to allow running at an instantaneous luminosity five times larger than that of the previous running periods. Readout of all detectors into an all-software trigger is central to the new design, facilitating the reconstruction of events at the maximum LHC interaction rate, and their selection in real time. The experiment's tracking system has been completely upgraded with a new pixel vertex detector, a silicon tracker upstream of the dipole magnet and three scintillating fibre tracking stations downstream of the magnet. The whole photon detection system of the RICH detectors has been renewed and the readout electronics of the calorimeter and muon systems have been fully overhauled. The first stage of the all-software trigger is implemented on a GPU farm. The output of the trigger provides a combination of totally reconstructed physics objects, such as tracks and vertices, ready for final analysis, and of entire events which need further offline reprocessing. This scheme required a complete revision of the computing model and rewriting of the experiment's software.

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arXiv2024

Search for time-dependent $CP$ violation in $D^0 \rightarrow π^+ π^- π^0$ decays

A measurement of time-dependent $CP$ violation in $D^0 \rightarrow π^+ π^- π^0$ decays using a $pp$ collision data sample collected by the LHCb experiment in 2012 and from 2015 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.7$\,\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$, is presented. The initial flavour of each $D^0$ candidate is determined from the charge of the pion produced in the $D^*(2010)^+ \rightarrow D^0 π^+$ decay. The decay $D^0 \rightarrow K^- π^+ π^0$ is used as a control channel to validate the measurement procedure. The gradient of the time-dependent $CP$ asymmetry, $ΔY$, in $D^0 \rightarrow π^+ π^- π^0$ decays is measured to be \begin{equation*} ΔY = (-1.3 \pm 6.3 \pm 2.4) \times 10^{-4}, \end{equation*} where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic, which is compatible with $CP$ conservation.

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arXiv2024

Observation of strangeness enhancement with charmed mesons in high-multiplicity $p\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at $\sqrt {s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=8.16\,$TeV

The production of prompt $D^+_{s}$ and $D^+$ mesons is measured by the LHCb experiment in proton-lead ($p\mathrm{Pb}$) collisions in both the forward ($1.5<y^*<4.0$) and backward ($-5.0<y^*<-2.5$) rapidity regions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt {s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=8.16\,$TeV. The nuclear modification factors of both $D^+_{s}$ and $D^+$ mesons are determined as a function of transverse momentum, $p_{\mathrm{T}}$, and rapidity. In addition, the $D^+_{s}$ to $D^+$ cross-section ratio is measured as a function of the charged particle multiplicity in the event. An enhanced $D^+_{s}$ to $D^+$ production in high-multiplicity events is observed for the whole measured $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ range, in particular at low $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ and backward rapidity, where the significance exceeds six standard deviations. This constitutes the first observation of strangeness enhancement in charm quark hadronization in high-multiplicity $p\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions. The results are also qualitatively consistent with the presence of quark coalescence as an additional charm quark hadronization mechanism in high-multiplicity proton-lead collisions.

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arXiv2024

Measurement of the mass difference and relative production rate of the $Ω^-_b$ and $Ξ^-_b$ baryons

The mass difference between the $Ω^-_b$ and $Ξ^-_b$ baryons is measured using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9 \, \text{fb}^{-1}$, and is found to be \begin{equation} m(Ω^-_b)- m(Ξ^-_b) = 248.54 \pm 0.51 \text{(stat)} \pm 0.38 \text{(syst)} \, \text{MeV}/c^2. \end{equation} The mass of the $Ω^-_b$ baryon is measured to be \begin{equation} m(Ω^-_b)= 6045.9 \pm 0.5 \text{(stat)} \pm 0.6 \text{(syst)} \, \text{MeV}/c^2. \end{equation} This is the most precise determination of the $Ω^-_b$ mass to date. In addition, the production rate of $Ω^-_b$ baryons relative to that of $Ξ^-_b$ baryons is measured for the first time in $pp$ collisions, using an LHCb dataset collected at a center-of-mass energy of $13 \, \text{TeV}$ and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $6\,\text{fb}^{-1}$. Reconstructing beauty baryons in the kinematic region $2 < η< 6$ and $p_T < 20\,\text{GeV}/c$ with their decays to a $J/ψ$ meson and a hyperon, the ratio \begin{equation} \frac{f_{Ω^-_b}}{f_{Ξ^-_b}}\times\frac{\mathcal{B}(Ω^-_b \to J/ψΩ^-)}{\mathcal{B}(Ξ^-_b \to J/ψΞ^-)} = 0.120 \pm 0.008 \text{(stat)} \pm 0.008 \text{(syst)}, \end{equation} is obtained, where $f_{Ω^-_b}$ and $f_{Ξ^-_b}$ are the fragmentation fractions of $b$ quarks into $Ω^-_b$ and $Ξ^-_b$ baryons, respectively, and $\mathcal{B}$ represents the branching fractions of their respective decays.

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arXiv2024

First observation of $Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_c^{()++} D^{()-} K^{-}$ decays

The four decays, $Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_c^{(*)++} D^{(*)-} K^{-}$, are observed for the first time using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of $13\,\rm{TeV}$, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $6\,\rm{fb}^{-1}$. By considering the $Λ_b^0 \rightarrow Λ_c^{+} \overline{D}^0 K^{-}$ decay as reference channel, the following branching fraction ratios are measured to be $$\frac{\cal{B} (Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_{c}^{++} \rm{D}^{-} {K}^{-})}{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Λ_c^{+} \rm \overline{D}^0 {K}^{-})} = {0.282}\pm{0.016}\pm{0.016}\pm{0.005}, \frac{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_{c}^{*++} \rm {D}^{-} {K}^{-})}{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_c^{++} \rm {D}^{-} {K}^{-})} = {0.460}\pm{0.052}\pm{0.028}, \frac{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_{c}^{++} \rm {D}^{*-} {K}^{-})}{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_c^{++} \rm {D}^{-} {K}^{-})} = {2.261}\pm{0.202}\pm{0.129}\pm{0.046}, \frac{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_{c}^{*++} \rm D^{*-} K^{-})}{\cal{B}(Λ_{b}^{0} \rightarrow Σ_c^{++} \rm D^{-} K^{-})} = {0.896}\pm{0.137}\pm{0.066}\pm{0.018},$$ where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, and the third are due to uncertainties in the branching fractions of intermediate particle decays. These initial observations mark the beginning of pentaquark searches in these modes, with more data set to become available following the LHCb upgrade.

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arXiv2024

Observation of new baryons in the $Ξ_b^-π^+π^-$ and $Ξ_b^0π^+π^-$ systems

The first observation and study of two new baryonic structures in the final state $Ξ_b^0π^+π^-$ and the confirmation of the $Ξ_b(6100)^-$ state in the $Ξ_b^-π^+π^-$ decay mode are reported using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9$\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$. In addition, the properties of the known $Ξ_b^{*0}$, $Ξ_b^{'-}$ and $Ξ_b^{*-}$ resonances are measured with improved precision. The new decay mode of the $Ξ_b^0$ baryon to the $Ξ_c^+π^-π^+π^-$ final state is observed and exploited for the first time in these measurements.

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arXiv2024

Search for prompt production of pentaquarks in charm hadron final states

A search for hidden-charm pentaquark states decaying to a range of $Σ_{c}\bar{D}$ and $Λ_{c}\bar{D}$ final states, as well as doubly-charmed pentaquark states to $Σ_{c}D$ and $Λ_{c}^{+}D$, is made using samples of proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.7fb^{-1}$ recorded by the LHCb detector at $\sqrt{s} = 13Te\kern -0.1em V$. Since no significant signals are found, upper limits are set on the pentaquark yields relative to that of the $Λ_{c}^{+}$ baryon in the $Λ_{c}^{+}\to pK^{-}π^{+}$ decay mode. The known pentaquark states are also investigated, and their signal yields are found to be consistent with zero in all cases.

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arXiv2024

Search for the $B_s^0 \rightarrow μ^+μ^-γ$ decay

A search for the fully reconstructed $B_s^0 \rightarrow μ^+μ^-γ$ decay is performed at the LHCb experiment using proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$\,TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.4\,\mathrm{fb^{-1}}$. No significant signal is found and upper limits on the branching fraction in intervals of the dimuon mass are set \begin{align} {\cal B}(B_s^0 \rightarrow μ^+μ^-γ) < 4.2\times10^{-8},~&m(μμ)\in[2m_μ,~1.70]\,\mathrm{GeV/c^2} ,\nonumber {\cal B}(B_s^0 \rightarrow μ^+μ^-γ) < 7.7\times10^{-8},~&m(μμ)\in[1.70,~2.88]\,\mathrm{GeV/c^2},\nonumber {\cal B}(B_s^0 \rightarrow μ^+μ^-γ) < 4.2\times10^{-8},~&m(μμ)\in[3.92 ,~m_{B_s^0}]\,\mathrm{GeV/c^2},\nonumber \end{align} at 95\% confidence level. Additionally, upper limits are set on the branching fraction in the $[2m_μ,~1.70]\,\mathrm{GeV/c^2}$ dimuon mass region excluding the contribution from the intermediate $ϕ(1020)$ meson, and in the region combining all dimuon-mass intervals.

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arXiv2024

Amplitude analysis of the $Λ_b^0\to pK^-γ$ decay

The resonant structure of the radiative decay $Λ_b^0\to pK^-γ$ in the region of proton-kaon invariant-mass up to 2.5 GeV$/c^2$ is studied using proton-proton collision data recorded at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV collected with the LHCb detector, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. Results are given in terms of fit and interference fractions between the different components contributing to this final state. Only $Λ$ resonances decaying to $pK^-$ are found to be relevant, where the largest contributions stem from the $Λ(1520)$, $Λ(1600)$, $Λ(1800)$, and $Λ(1890)$ states.

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arXiv2024

Modification of $χ_{c1}$(3872) and $ψ$(2$S$) production in $p$Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 8.16$ TeV

The LHCb collaboration measures production of the exotic hadron $χ_{c1}$(3872) in proton-nucleus collisions for the first time. Comparison with the charmonium state $ψ$(2$S$) suggests that the exotic $χ_{c1}$(3872) experiences different dynamics in the nuclear medium than conventional hadrons, and comparison with data from proton-proton collisions indicates that the presence of the nucleus may modify $χ_{c1}$(3872) production rates. This is the first measurement of the nuclear modification factor of an exotic hadron.

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arXiv2024

Observation of $Λ_{b}^{0} \to Λ_{c}^{+} \bar{D}^{()0} K^{-}$ and $Λ_{b}^{0} \to Λ_{c}^{+} D_{s}^{-}$ decays

The decays $Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+\bar{D}^{(*)0}K^-$ and $Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ D_s^{*-}$ are observed for the first time, in proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb${}^{-1}$ collected with the LHCb detector. Their ratios of branching fractions with respect to the $Λ_b^0\!\toΛ_c^+\mathrm{D}_s^-$ mode are measured to be \begin{align*} \begin{split} \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+\bar{D}^0 K^-)}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ D_s^-)} & = 0.1908 {}_{-0.0034}^{+0.0036} {}_{-0.0018}^{+0.0016} \pm 0.0038 \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+\bar{D}^{*0} K^-)}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ D_s^-)} & = 0.589 {}_{-0.017}^{+0.018} {}_{-0.018}^{+0.017} \pm 0.012 \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ D_s^{*-})}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ D_s^-)} & = 1.668 \pm 0.022 {}_{-0.055}^{+0.061}\ , \end{split} \end{align*} where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second systematic, and the third, for the $Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ \bar{D}^{(*)0} K^-$ decays, are due to the uncertainties on the branching fractions of the $D_s^- \to K^- K^+ π^-$ and $\bar{D}^0 \to K^+π^-$ decay modes. The measured branching fractions probe factorization assumptions in effective theories and provide the normalization for future pentaquark searches in $Λ_b^0 \to Λ_c^+ \bar{D}^{(*)0}K^-$ decay channels.

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arXiv2024

Multiplicity dependence of $σ_{ψ(2S)}/σ_{J/ψ}$ in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV

The ratio of production cross-sections of $ψ(2S)$ over $J/ψ$ mesons as a function of charged-particle multiplicity in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV is measured with a data sample collected by the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 658 pb$^{-1}$. The ratio is measured for both prompt and non-prompt $ψ(2S)$ and $J/ψ$ mesons. When there is an overlap between the rapidity ranges over which multiplicity and charmonia production are measured, a multiplicity-dependent modification of the ratio is observed for prompt mesons. No significant multiplicity dependence is found when the ranges do not overlap. For non-prompt production, the $ψ(2S)-to-J/ψ$ production ratio is roughly independent of multiplicity irrespective of the rapidity range over which the multiplicity is measured. The results are compared to predictions of the co-mover model and agree well except in the low multiplicity region. The ratio of production cross-sections of $ψ(2S)$ over $J/ψ$ mesons are cross-checked with other measurements in di-lepton channels and found to be compatible.

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arXiv2024

Measurement of associated $J/ψ$-$ψ(2S)$ production cross-section in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV

The cross-section of associated $J/ψ$-$ψ(2S)$ production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV is measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.2 fb$^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb experiment. The measurement is performed for both $J/ψ$ and $ψ(2S)$ mesons having transverse momentum $p_{\text{T}}<14$ GeV/$c$ and rapidity $2.0<y<4.5$, assuming negligible polarisation of the $J/ψ$ and $ψ(2S)$ mesons. The production cross-section is measured to be $4.5\pm0.7\pm0.3$ nb, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The differential cross-sections are measured as functions of several kinematic variables of the $J/ψ$-$ψ(2S)$ candidates. The results are combined with a measurement of $J/ψ$-$J/ψ$ production, giving a cross-section ratio between $J/ψ$-$ψ(2S)$ and $J/ψ$-$J/ψ$ production of $0.274\pm0.044\pm0.008$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

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