arXiv subjects

M. Birch

Publications and source records attributed to M. Birch.

331 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Searches for 25 rare and forbidden decays of $D^+$ and $D_s^+$ mesons

A search is performed for rare and forbidden charm decays of the form $D_{(s)}^+ \to h^\pm \ell^+ \ell^{(\prime)\mp}$, where $h^\pm$ is a pion or kaon and $\ell^{(')\pm}$ is an electron or muon. The measurements are performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $1.6\text{fb}^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb experiment in 2016. No evidence is observed for the 25 decay modes that are investigated and $90\%$ confidence level limits on the branching fractions are set between $1.4\times10^{-8}$ and $6.4\times10^{-6}$. In most cases, these results represent an improvement on existing limits by one to two orders of magnitude.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

First observation of the decay $B^0 \rightarrow D^0 \overline{D}{}^0 K^+ π^-$

The first observation of the decay $B^0 \rightarrow D^0 \overline{D}{}^0 K^+ π^-$ is reported using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment in 2011, 2012 and 2016. The measurement is performed in the full kinematically allowed range of the decay outside of the $D^{*-}$ region. The ratio of the branching fraction relative to that of the control channel $B^0 \rightarrow D^{*-} D^0 K^+$ is measured to be $\mathcal{R} = (14.2 \pm 1.1 \pm 1.0)\%$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The absolute branching fraction of $B^0 \rightarrow D^0 \overline{D}{}^0 K^+ π^-$ decays is thus determined to be $\mathcal{B}(B^0 \rightarrow D^0 \overline{D}{}^0 K^+ π^-) = (3.50 \pm 0.27 \pm 0.26 \pm 0.30) \times 10^{-4}$, where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the control channel. This decay mode is expected to provide insights to spectroscopy and the charm-loop contributions in rare semileptonic decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

First branching fraction measurement of the suppressed decay $Ξ_c^0\to π^-Λ_c^+$

The $Ξ_c^0$ baryon is unstable and usually decays into charmless final states by the $c \to s u\overline{d}$ transition. It can, however, also disintegrate into a $π^-$ meson and a $Λ_c^+$ baryon via $s$ quark decay or via $cs\to d c$ weak scattering. The interplay between the latter two processes governs the size of the branching fraction ${\cal{B}}$$(Ξ_c^0\to π^-Λ_c^+)$, first measured here to be $(0.55\pm 0.02 \pm 0.18)$%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and second systematic. This result is compatible with the larger of the theoretical predictions that connect models of hyperon decays using partially conserved axial currents and SU(3) symmetry with those involving the heavy-quark expansion and heavy-quark symmetry. In addition, the branching fraction of the normalization channel, ${\cal{B}}(Ξ_c^+\to p K^- π^+) = (1.135 \pm 0.002 \pm 0.387)$% is measured.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Tables of E2 Transition Probabilities from the first $2^{+}$ States in Even-Even Nuclei

Experimental results of E2 transition probabilities or B(E2) values for the known first 2$^{+}$ states in 447 even-even nuclei have been compiled and evaluated. The evaluation policies for the analysis of experimental data have been described and new results are discussed. The recommended B(E2) values have been compared with comprehensive shell model calculations for a selected set of nuclei, where such theoretical procedures are amenable. The present work was motivated by a rapid increase in the number of new B(E2) measurements for the first 2$^{+}$ states since the previous evaluation of such data by S. Raman {\it et al.} published in 2001. Future plans to investigate the systematics of B(E2)$\uparrow$ values, and intercomparison of different experimental techniques to obtain these data are outlined.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2016

On the Equivalence of Experimental B(E2) Values Determined by Various Techniques

We establish the equivalence of the various techniques for measuring B(E2) values using a statistical analysis. Data used in this work come from the re- cent compilation by B. Pritychenko et al., At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 107 (2016). We consider only those nuclei for which the B(E2) values were measured by at least two different methods, with each method being independently performed at least twice. Our results indicate that most prevalent methods of measuring B(E2) values are equivalent, with some weak evidence that Doppler-shift attenuation method (DSAM) measurements may differ from Coulomb excitation (CE) and nuclear resonance fuorescence (NRF) measurements. However, such an evidence appears to arise from discrepant DSAM measurements of the lifetimes for 60Ni and some Sn nuclei rather than a systematic deviation in the method itself.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2014

B(E2) Evaluation for 0+ to 2+ Transitions in Even-Even Nuclei

A collaborative study by Brookhaven-McMaster-Central Michigan is underway to evaluate B(E2)$\uparrow$ for 0$^{+}_{1}$ $\rightarrow$ 2$^{+}_{1}$ transitions. This work is a continuation of a previous USNDP evaluation and has been motivated by a large number of recent measurements and nuclear theory developments. It includes an extended compilation, data evaluation procedures and shell model calculations. The subset of B(E2)$\uparrow$ recommended values for nuclei of relevance to the double-beta decay problem is presented, and evaluation policies of experimental data and systematics are discussed. Future plans for completion of the B(E2;0$^{+}_{1}$ $\rightarrow$ 2$^{+}_{1}$) evaluation project are also described.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Reexamining the half-lives of 195Os and 195Ir

Currently the half-life of 195Os is listed as unknown in most databases because the value of the only available measurement had been reassigned. We argue that the original assignment is correct and re-evaluate the half-life of 195Os to be 6.5(11)min, consistent with the original measurement. We also suggest to reassign the half-life of 195Ir to 2.29(17)h.

nucl-ex↗