arXiv subjects

M. Becker

Publications and source records attributed to M. Becker.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Study of charmonium decays to $K^0_S K π$ in the $B \to (K^0_S K π) K$ channels

A study of the $B^+\to K^0_SK^+K^-π^+$ and $B^+\to K^0_SK^+K^+π^-$ decays is performed using proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV at the LHCb experiment. The $K^0_SK π$ invariant mass spectra from both decay modes reveal a rich content of charmonium resonances. New precise measurements of the $η_c$ and $η_c(2S)$ resonance parameters are performed and branching fraction measurements are obtained for $B^+$ decays to $η_c$, $J/ψ$, $η_c(2S)$ and $χ_{c1}$ resonances. In particular, the first observation and branching fraction measurement of $B^+ \to χ_{c0} K^0 π^+$ is reported as well as first measurements of the $B^+\to K^0K^+K^-π^+$ and $B^+\to K^0K^+K^+π^-$ branching fractions. Dalitz plot analyses of $η_c \to K^0_SKπ$ and $η_c(2S) \to K^0_SKπ$ decays are performed. A new measurement of the amplitude and phase of the $K π$ $S$-wave as functions of the $K π$ mass is performed, together with measurements of the $K^*_0(1430)$, $K^*_0(1950)$ and $a_0(1700)$ parameters. Finally, the branching fractions of $χ_{c1}$ decays to $K^*$ resonances are also measured.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Observation of a resonant structure near the $D_s^+ D_s^-$ threshold in the $B^+\to D_s^+ D_s^- K^+$ decay

An amplitude analysis of the $B^+\to D_s^+ D_s^- K^+$ decay is carried out to study for the first time its intermediate resonant contributions, using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV. A near-threshold peaking structure, referred to as $X(3960)$, is observed in the $D_s^+ D_s^-$ invariant-mass spectrum with significance greater than 12 standard deviations. The mass, width and the quantum numbers of the structure are measured to be $3956\pm5\pm10$ MeV, $43\pm13\pm8$ MeV and $J^{PC}=0^{++}$, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The properties of the new structure are consistent with recent theoretical predictions for a state composed of $c\bar{c}s\bar{s}$ quarks. Evidence for an additional structure is found around 4140 MeV in the $D_s^+ D_s^-$ invariant mass, which might be caused either by a new resonance with the $0^{++}$ assignment or by a $J/ψϕ\leftrightarrow D_s^+ D_s^-$ coupled-channel effect.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Observation of the mass difference between neutral charm-meson eigenstates

A measurement of mixing and $C\!P$ violation in neutral charm mesons is performed using data reconstructed in proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment from 2016 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4$\textrm{fb}^{-1}$. A total of $30.6$ million $D^{0}\rightarrow K^{0}_{\mathrm{S}}π^{+}π^{-}$ decays are analyzed using a method optimized for the measurement of the mass difference between neutral charm-meson eigenstates. Allowing for $C\!P$ violation in mixing and in the interference between mixing and decay, the mass and decay-width differences are measured to be $x_{C\!P} = \left[3.97\pm0.46\textrm{(stat)}\pm 0.29\textrm{(syst)}\right]\times10^{-3}$ and $y_{C\!P} = \left[4.59\pm1.20\textrm{(stat)}\pm0.85\textrm{(syst)}\right]\times10^{-3}$, respectively. The $C\!P$-violating parameters are measured as $Δx = \left[-0.27\pm0.18\textrm{(stat)}\pm0.01\textrm{(syst)}\right]\times10^{-3}$ and $Δy = \left[0.20\pm0.36\textrm{(stat)}\pm0.13\textrm{(syst)}\right]\times10^{-3}$. This is the first observation of a nonzero mass difference in the $D^0$ meson system, with a significance exceeding seven standard deviations. The data are consistent with $C\!P$ symmetry, and improve existing constraints on the associated parameters.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Search for $D^{*}(2007)^0\toμ^+μ^-$ in $B^-\toπ^-μ^+μ^-$ decays

The very rare $D^{*}(2007)^0\toμ^+μ^-$ decay is searched for by analysing $B^-\toπ^-μ^+μ^-$ decays. The analysis uses a sample of beauty mesons produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. The signal signature corresponds to simultaneous peaks in the $μ^+μ^-$ and $π^-μ^+μ^-$ invariant masses. No evidence for an excess of events over background is observed and an upper limit is set on the branching fraction of the decay at ${\cal B}(D^{*}(2007)^0\toμ^+μ^-) < 2.6\times 10^{-8}$ at $90\%$ confidence level. This is the first limit on the branching fraction of $D^{*}(2007)^0\toμ^+μ^-$ decays and the most stringent limit on $D^{*}(2007)^0$ decays to leptonic final states. The analysis is the first search for a rare charm-meson decay exploiting production via beauty decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Observation of sizeable $ω$ contribution to $χ_{c1}(3872)\toπ^+π^-J/ψ$ decays

Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from $χ_{c1}(3872)\toπ^+π^- J/ψ$ decays, produced via $B^+\to K^+χ_{c1}(3872)$ decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 $fb^{-1}$. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving $χ_{c1}(3872)\toωJ/ψ$ decay is established for the first time, $(21.4\pm2.3\pm2.0)\%$, with a significance of more than $7.1σ$. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, $χ_{c1}(3872)\toρ^0 J/ψ$, relative to isospin conserving decay, $χ_{c1}(3872)\toωJ/ψ$, is properly determined, and it is a factor of six larger than expected for a pure charmonium state.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Search for the lepton-flavour violating decays $B^0 \to K^{*0} μ^\pm e^\mp$ and $B_s^0 \to ϕμ^\pm e^\mp$

A search for the lepton-flavour violating decays $B^0 \to K^{*0} μ^\pm e^\mp$ and $B_s^0 \to ϕμ^\pm e^\mp$ is presented, using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\,\text{fb}^{-1}$. No significant signals are observed and upper limits of \begin{align} {\cal B}( B^0 \to K^{*0} μ^+ e^- ) &< \phantom{1}5.7\times 10^{-9}~(6.9\times 10^{-9}),\newline {\cal B}( B^0 \to K^{*0} μ^- e^+ ) &< \phantom{1}6.8\times 10^{-9}~(7.9\times 10^{-9}),\newline {\cal B}( B^0 \to K^{*0} μ^\pm e^\mp ) &< 10.1\times 10^{-9}~(11.7\times 10^{-9}),\newline {\cal B}( B_s^0 \to ϕμ^\pm e^\mp ) &< 16.0\times 10^{-9}~(19.8\times 10^{-9}) \end{align} are set at $90\%~(95\%)$ confidence level. These results constitute the world's most stringent limits to date, with the limit on the decay $B_s^0 \to ϕμ^\pm e^\mp$ the first being set. In addition, limits are reported for scalar and left-handed lepton-flavour violating New Physics scenarios.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Search for the doubly heavy baryon $\itΞ_{bc}^{+}$ decaying to $J/\itψ \itΞ_{c}^{+}$

A first search for the $\itΞ_{bc}^{+}\to J/\itψ\itΞ_{c}^{+}$ decay is performed by the LHCb experiment with a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\,\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ recorded at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and $13\mathrm{\,Te\kern -0.1em V}$. Two peaking structures are seen with a local (global) significance of $4.3\,(2.8)$ and $4.1\,(2.4)$ standard deviations at masses of $6571\,\mathrm{Me\kern -0.1em V\!/}c^2$ and $6694\,\mathrm{Me\kern -0.1em V\!/}c^2$, respectively. Upper limits are set on the $\itΞ_{bc}^{+}$ baryon production cross-section times the branching fraction relative to that of the $B_{c}^{+}\to J/\itψ D_{s}^{+}$ decay at centre-of-mass energies of 8 and $13\mathrm{\,Te\kern -0.1em V}$, in the $\itΞ_{bc}^{+}$ and in the $B_{c}^{+}$ rapidity and transverse-momentum ranges from 2.0 to 4.5 and 0 to $20\,\mathrm{Ge\kern -0.1em V\!/}c$, respectively. Upper limits are presented as a function of the $\itΞ_{bc}^{+}$ mass and lifetime.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Amplitude analysis of $B^0 \rightarrow \overline{D}^0 D_s^+ π^-$ and $B^+ \rightarrow D^- D_s^+ π^+$ decays

Resonant contributions in $B^0 \rightarrow \overline{D}^0 D^+_sπ^-$ and $B^+\rightarrow D^- D^+_sπ^+$ decays are determined with an amplitude analysis, which is performed both separately and simultaneously, where in the latter case isospin symmetry between the decays is assumed. The analysis is based on data collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 $\rm{TeV}$. The full data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9 $\rm fb^{-1}$. A doubly charged spin-0 open-charm tetraquark candidate together with a neutral partner, both with masses near $2.9\,\rm{GeV}$, are observed in the $D_sπ$ decay channel.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

First observation of a doubly charged tetraquark and its neutral partner

A combined amplitude analysis is performed for the decays $B^0 \rightarrow \overline{D}^0 D^+_sπ^-$ and $B^+\rightarrow D^- D^+_sπ^+$, which are related by isospin symmetry. The analysis is based on data collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13$\,\rm{TeV}$. The full data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9$\,\rm{fb^{-1}}$. Two new resonant states with masses of $2.908\pm0.011\pm0.020\,\rm{GeV}$ and widths of $0.136\pm0.023\pm0.011\,\rm{GeV}$ are observed, which decay to $D^+_sπ^+$ and $D^+_sπ^-$ respectively. The former state indicates the first observation of a doubly charged open-charm tetraquark state with minimal quark content $[c\bar{s}u\bar{d}]$, and the latter state is a neutral tetraquark composed of $[c\bar{s}\bar{u}d]$ quarks. Both states are found to have spin-parity $0^+$, and their resonant parameters are consistent with each other, which suggests that they belong to an isospin triplet.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Amplitude analysis of the $Λ^+_c\to pK^-π^+$ decay and $Λ^+_c$ baryon polarization measurement in semileptonic beauty hadron decays

An amplitude analysis of $Λ^+_c \to pK^-π^+$ decays together with a measurement of the $Λ^+_c$ polarization vector in semileptonic beauty hadron decays is presented. A sample of $400\,000$ candidates is selected from proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. An amplitude model is developed and the resonance fractions as well as two- and three-body decay parameters are reported. The mass and width of the $Λ(2000)$ state are also determined. A significant $Λ^+_c$ polarization is found. A large sensitivity of the $Λ^+_c \to pK^-π^+$ decay to the polarization is seen, making the amplitude model suitable for $Λ^+_c$ polarization measurements in other systems.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Detection of the significant impact of source clustering on higher-order statistics with DES Year 3 weak gravitational lensing data

We demonstrate and measure the impact of source galaxy clustering on higher-order summary statistics of weak gravitational lensing data. By comparing simulated data with galaxies that either trace or do not trace the underlying density field, we show this effect can exceed measurement uncertainties for common higher-order statistics for certain analysis choices. Source clustering effects are larger at small scales and for statistics applied to combinations of low and high redshift samples, and diminish at high redshift. We evaluate the impact on different weak lensing observables, finding that third moments and wavelet phase harmonics are more affected than peak count statistics. Using Dark Energy Survey Year 3 data we construct null tests for the source-clustering-free case, finding a $p$-value of $p=4\times10^{-3}$ (2.6 $σ$) using third-order map moments and $p=3\times10^{-11}$ (6.5 $σ$) using wavelet phase harmonics. The impact of source clustering on cosmological inference can be either be included in the model or minimized through \textit{ad-hoc} procedures (e.g. scale cuts). We verify that the procedures adopted in existing DES Y3 cosmological analyses (using map moments and peaks) were sufficient to render this effect negligible. Failing to account for source clustering can significantly impact cosmological inference from higher-order gravitational lensing statistics, e.g. higher-order N-point functions, wavelet-moment observables (including phase harmonics and scattering transforms), and deep learning or field level summary statistics of weak lensing maps. We provide recipes both to minimise the impact of source clustering and to incorporate source clustering effects into forward-modelled mock data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Nuclear modification factor of neutral pions in the forward and backward regions in $p$-Pb collisions

The nuclear modification factor of neutral pions is measured in proton-lead collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon of $8.16~{\rm TeV}$ with the LHCb detector. The $π^0$ production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) for $1.5<p_{\rm T}<10.0~{\rm GeV}$ and in center-of-mass pseudorapidity ($η_{\rm c.m.}$) regions $2.5<η_{\rm c.m.}<3.5$ (forward) and $-4.0<η_{\rm c.m.}<-3.0$ (backward) defined relative to the proton beam direction. The forward measurement shows a sizable suppression of $π^0$ production, while the backward measurement shows the first evidence of $π^0$ enhancement in proton-lead collisions at the LHC. Together, these measurements provide precise constraints on models of nuclear structure and particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions $\mathcal{B}(B_c^+ \to B_s^0 π^+)/\mathcal{B}(B_c^+ \to J/ψπ^+)$

The ratio of branching fractions of $B_c^+ \to B_s^0 π^+$ and $B_c^+ \to J/ψπ^+$ decays is measured with proton-proton collision data of a centre-of-mass energy of $13\text{TeV}$. The data were collected with the LHCb experiment during 2016--2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.4 \text{fb}^{-1}$. The $B_s^0$ mesons are reconstructed via the decays $B_s^0 \to J/ψϕ$ and $B_s^0 \to D_s^- π^+$. The ratio of branching fractions is measured to be $\mathcal{B}(B_c^+ \to B_s^0 π^+)/\mathcal{B}(B_c^+ \to J/ψπ^+) = 91 \pm 10 \pm 8 \pm 3$ where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is due to the knowledge of the branching fractions of the intermediate state decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

First observation and branching fraction measurement of the $Λ_b^0\to D_s^- p$ decay

The first observation of the $Λ_b^0\to D_s^- p$ decay is presented using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of ${\sqrt{s}=13 \,\textrm{TeV}}$, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of $6\,\textrm{fb}^{-1}$. Using the $Λ_b^0\toΛ_c^+π^-$ decay as the normalisation mode, the branching fraction of the $Λ_b^0\to D_s^- p$ decay is measured to be ${\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0\to D_s^- p)=(12.6 \pm 0.5 \pm 0.3 \pm 1.2 )\times 10^{-6}}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to uncertainties in the branching fractions of the $Λ_b^0\toΛ_c^+π^-$, $D_s^- \to K^-K^+π^-$ and $Λ_c^+\to p K^- π^+$ decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Observation of the $B^0_s\!\to D^{+}D^{-}$ decay

The first observation of the $B^0_s\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-}$ decay and the measurement of its branching ratio relative to the $B^0\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-}$ decay are presented. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $9\,\text{fb}^{-1}$ of proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and $13\,\text{TeV}$ between 2011 and 2018. The decay is observed with more than $10$ standard deviations and the time-integrated ratio of branching fractions is determined to be \begin{align*} \frac{\mathcal{B}(B^0_s\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-})}{\mathcal{B}(B^0\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-})} = 0.269 \pm 0.032 \pm 0.011 \pm 0.008\, , \end{align*} where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to the uncertainty of the fragmentation fraction ratio $f_s/f_d$. The $B^0_s\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-}$ branching fraction is calculated to be \begin{align*} \mathcal{B}(B^0_s\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-}) = (2.15 \pm 0.26 \pm 0.09 \pm 0.06 \pm 0.16)\times 10^{-4} \,, \end{align*} where the fourth uncertainty is due to the $B^0\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-}$branching fraction. These results are calculated using the average $B^0_s$ meson lifetime in simulation. Correction factors are reported for scenarios where either a purely heavy or a purely light $B^0_s$ eigenstate is considered.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Observation of the decay $ Λ_b^0\rightarrow Λ_c^+τ^-\overlineν_τ$

The first observation of the semileptonic $b$-baryon decay $ Λ_b^0 \rightarrow Λ_c^+ τ^-\overlineν_τ$, with a significance of $6.1\,σ$, is reported using a data sample corresponding to 3 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV at the LHC. The $τ^-$ lepton is reconstructed in the hadronic decay to three charged pions. The branching fraction ${\mathcal{B}}(Λ_b^0 \rightarrow Λ_c^+τ^-\overlineν_τ) = (1.50 \pm 0.16\pm 0.25\pm 0.23)\%$ is obtained, where uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the external branching fraction of the normalisation channel $Λ_b^0\rightarrow Λ_c^+π^-π^+π^-$. The ratio of semileptonic branching fractions ${\mathcal{R}}( Λ_c^+)\equiv {\mathcal{B}}( Λ_b^0 \rightarrow Λ_c^+ τ^-\overlineν_τ)/{\mathcal{B}}( Λ_b^0 \rightarrow Λ_c^+ μ^-\overlineν_μ)$ is derived to be $0.242 \pm 0.026 \pm 0.040\pm 0.059$, where the external branching fraction uncertainty from the channel $Λ_b^0\rightarrow Λ_c^+μ^-\overlineν_μ$ contributes to the last term. This result is in agreement with the Standard Model prediction.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Hadron Production and Propagation in Pion-Induced Reactions on Nuclei

Hadron production ($π^\pm$, proton, $Λ$, $K_S^0$, $K^\pm$) in $π^- + \mathrm{C}$ and $π^- + \mathrm{W}$ collisions is investigated at an incident pion beam momentum of $1.7~\mathrm{GeV}/c$. This comprehensive set of data measured with HADES at SIS18/GSI significantly extends the existing world data on hadron production in pion induced reactions and provides a new reference for models that are commonly used for the interpretation of heavy-ion collisions. The measured inclusive differential production cross-sections are compared with state-of-the-art transport model (GiBUU, SMASH) calculations. The (semi-) exclusive channel $π^- + A \rightarrow Λ+ K_S^0 +X$, in which the kinematics of the strange hadrons are correlated, is also investigated and compared to a model calculation. Agreement and remaining tensions between data and the current version of the considered transport models are discussed.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Investigation of the $\mathbf{Σ^{0}}$ Production Mechanism in p(3.5 GeV)+p Collisions

The production of $Σ^0$ hyperons in proton proton collisions at a beam kinetic energy of 3.5 GeV impinging on a liquid hydrogen target was investigated using data collected with the HADES setup. The total production cross section is found to be $\mathrm{σ(pK^{+}Σ^{0}) [μb] = 17.7 \pm 1.7 (stat) \pm 1.6 (syst)}$. Differential cross section distributions of the exclusive channel $\mathrm{pp \rightarrow pK^{+}Σ^{0}}$ were analyzed in the center-of-mass, Gottfried-Jackson and helicity reference frames for the first time at the excess energy of 556 MeV. The data support the interplay between pion and kaon exchange mechanisms and clearly demonstrate the contribution of interfering nucleon resonances decaying to $\mathrm{K^{+}Σ^{0}}$. The Bonn-Gatchina partial wave analysis was employed to analyse the data. Due to the limited statistics, it was not possible to obtain an unambiguous determination of the relative contribution of intermediate nucleon resonances to the final state. However nucleon resonances with masses around 1.710 $\mathrm{GeV/c^{2}}$ ($\mathrm{N^{*}(1710)}$) and 1.900 $\mathrm{GeV/c^{2}}$ ($\mathrm{N^{*}(1900)}$ or $\mathrm{Δ^{*}(1900)}$) are preferred by the fit.

nucl-ex↗