arXiv subjects

P. Billoir

Publications and source records attributed to P. Billoir.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

New measurements of $B^+_c$ decays into single charm final states

Using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9 \,\textrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment, searches are performed for $B^+_c$ mesons decaying to a charm and a charmless meson pair. Five products of branching fraction, ${\cal B}(B^+_c\!\to DX)$, and fragmentation ratio $f_c\big/f_u$ are reported, \begin{align*} R_{D^+ K^{*0}} &= ( 1.42 \pm 0.23 \pm 0.07 \pm 0.11 ) \times 10^{-6}, \\ R_{D^{*0} K^+} &= (1.46 \pm 0.30 \pm 0.11 \pm 0.05 ) \times 10^{-6}, \\ R_{D^+_s \phi}\ \ \ &= ( 4.0\pm 1.3 \pm 0.2 \pm 0.5) \times 10^{-7 }, \\ R_{D^0 K^+}\ &= ( 9.7 \pm 1.0 \pm 0.4 \pm 0.3 ) \times 10^{-7}, \\ R_{D^0 \pi^+}\ &<\ 1.4 \times 10^{-7}\ \text{at 95\% CL}. \end{align*} In each case, the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third includes external uncertainties. The first result is a first observation, the second and third exhibit clear evidence and the fourth improves the precision of previous measurements by a factor two. Additionally, the $CP$ asymmetry in $B^+_c\!\to D^0 K^+$ decays is measured and found to be compatible with zero.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Improved branching-fraction measurements of $B^0_{(s)} \to K_S^0 h^+ h^{'-}$ decays and first observation of $B^0_{s} \to K_S^0 K^+ K^-$

This paper presents a study of the charmless three-body decays ${B^0_{(s)} \to K_{\mathrm{S}}^0 h^+ h^{\prime -}}$ (where $h^{(\prime)} = \pi, K$), using a sample of $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\mbox{\,fb}^{-1}$. The decay ${B^0_s \to K_{\mathrm{S}}^0 K^+ K^-}$ is observed for the first time, and the following ratios of branching fractions are measured: \begin{alignat*}{6} &\frac{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} K^+ K^-)}{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} \pi^+\pi^-)} &&= 0.578 &&\pm 0.007 &&\pm 0.017\,, &\frac{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} K^\pm\pi^\mp)}{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} \pi^+\pi^-)} &&= 0.1363 &&\pm 0.0035 &&\pm 0.0051\,, &\frac{{\cal B}(B^0_s \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} \pi^+\pi^-)}{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} \pi^+\pi^-)} &&= 0.269 &&\pm 0.011 &&\pm 0.015 && \pm 0.008\,, &\frac{{\cal B}(B^0_s \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} K^+ K^-)}{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} \pi^+\pi^-)} &&= 0.0303 &&\pm 0.0041 &&\pm 0.0025 && \pm 0.0009\,, &\frac{{\cal B}(B^0_s \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} K^\pm\pi^\mp)}{{\cal B}(B^0 \to K^0_{\mathrm{S}} \pi^+\pi^-)} &&= 1.818 &&\pm 0.021 &&\pm 0.031 && \pm 0.056\,, \end{alignat*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to knowledge of the ratio of hadronisation fractions of the $B^0_s$ and $B^0$ mesons, respectively.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Performance of the High-Angle Time Projection Chambers in the Upgraded T2K Off-Axis Near Detector

The off-axis magnetic near detector of the T2K experiment has undergone a significant upgrade, including the construction and installation of two new Time Projection Chambers featuring innovative resistive Micromegas technology and a field cage composed of thin composite walls. This paper provides a detailed description of the new components of the chambers, including the gas system, gas monitoring chambers, and data acquisition system. Additionally, it reports the results of extensive testing using both neutrino beams and cosmic rays, with comparisons between data and Monte Carlo simulations. The new detectors achieve improved spatial resolution and enhanced particle identification capabilities which are crucial for the precision goals of the T2K experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Branching fraction measurement of the $\mathit{\Lambda} \to p \mu^- \overline{\nu}_{\mu}$ decay

A measurement of the branching fraction for the decay $\mathit{\Lambda} \to p \mu^- \overline{\nu}_{\mu}$ is presented using $\textit{pp}$ collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The analysis is based on data recorded between 2016 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.4 \ \text{fb}^{-1}$. The result is obtained using $\mathit{\Lambda} \to p \pi^-$ decays as a normalisation channel. The measured branching fraction is $B(\mathit{\Lambda} \to p \mu^- \overline{\nu}_{\mu})= (1.462 \pm 0.016 \pm 0.100 \pm 0.011 ) \times 10^{-4}$, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the limited knowledge of the normalisation mode branching fraction, respectively. This result improves the precision of the branching fraction measurement by a factor of two compared to the previous best measurement and sets a more stringent bound on lepton flavour universality in $s \to u$ quark transitions. It is consistent with previous measurements, and the extracted lepton flavour universality test observable, $R^{\mu e} = \frac{\Gamma(\mathit{\Lambda} \to p \mu^- \overline{\nu}_\mu)}{\Gamma(\mathit{\Lambda} \to p e^- \overline{\nu}_e)} = 0.175 \pm 0.012$, agrees with the Standard Model prediction.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Study of charm mixing and CP violation with $D^0\to K^\pm\pi^\mp\pi^\pm\pi^\mp$ decays

A study of charm mixing and CP violation in $D^0\to K^\pm\pi^\mp\pi^\pm\pi^\mp$ decays is performed using data collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions from 2015 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6$\text{fb}^{-1}$. The ratio of promptly produced $D^0\to K^+\pi^- \pi^+\pi^-$ to $D^0\to K^-\pi^+ \pi^-\pi^+$ decay rates is measured as a function of $D^0$ decay time, both inclusive over phase space and in bins of phase space. Taking external inputs for the $D^0 -\overline{D}^0$ mixing parameters $x$ and $y$ allows constraints to be obtained on the hadronic parameters of the charm decay. When combined with previous measurements from charm-threshold experiments and at LHCb, improved knowledge is obtained for these parameters, which is valuable for studies of the angle $\gamma$ of the Unitarity Triangle. An alternative analysis is also performed, in which external inputs are taken for the hadronic parameters, and the mixing parameters are determined, including $\Delta x$ and $\Delta y$, which are nonzero in the presence of CP violation. It is found that $x=\left(0.85^{+0.15}_{-0.24}\right)\%$, $y=\left( 0.21^{+0.29}{-0.27} \right)\%$, $\Delta x=\left( -0.02\pm {0.04} \right)\% $ and $\Delta y=\left( 0.02^{+0.04}_{-0.03} \right)\%$. These results are consistent with previous measurements and the hypothesis of CP conservation.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurements of $ψ{(2S)}$ and $χ_{c1}(3872)$ production within fully reconstructed jets

This paper presents the first measurement of $ψ{(2S)}$ and $χ_{c1}(3872)$ meson production within fully reconstructed jets. Each quarkonium state (tag) is reconstructed via its decay to the $J/ψ$($\rightarrowμ^+μ^-$)$π^+π^-$ final state in the forward region using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at the center-of-mass-energy of $13 \text{TeV}$ in 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $1.64 \text{fb}^{-1}$. The fragmentation function, presented as the ratio of the quarkonium-tag transverse momentum to the full jet transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}(\text{tag})/p_{\mathrm{T}}(\text{jet})$), is measured differentially in $p_{\mathrm{T}}(\text{jet})$ and $p_{\mathrm{T}}(\text{tag})$ bins. The distributions are separated into promptly produced quarkonia from proton-proton collisions and quarkonia produced from displaced $b$-hadron decays. While the displaced quarkonia fragmentation functions are in general well described by parton-shower predictions, the prompt quarkonium distributions differ significantly from fixed-order non-relativistic QCD (NRQCD) predictions followed by a QCD parton shower.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of the $W \to \mu \nu_\mu$ cross-sections as a function of the muon transverse momentum in $pp$ collisions at 5.02 TeV

The $pp \to W^{\pm} (\to \mu^{\pm} \nu_{\mu}) X$ cross-sections are measured at a proton-proton centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 100 pb$^{-1}$ recorded by the LHCb experiment. Considering muons in the pseudorapidity range $2.2 < \eta < 4.4$, the cross-sections are measured differentially in twelve intervals of muon transverse momentum between $28 < p_\mathrm{T} < 52$ GeV. Integrated over $p_\mathrm{T}$, the measured cross-sections are \begin{align*} \sigma_{W^+ \to \mu^+ \nu_\mu} &= 300.9 \pm 2.4 \pm 3.8 \pm 6.0~\text{pb}, \\ \sigma_{W^- \to \mu^- \bar{\nu}_\mu} &= 236.9 \pm 2.1 \pm 2.7 \pm 4.7~\text{pb}, \end{align*} where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, and the third are associated with the luminosity calibration. These integrated results are consistent with theoretical predictions. This analysis introduces a new method to determine the $W$-boson mass using the measured differential cross-sections corrected for detector effects. The measurement is performed on this statistically limited dataset as a proof of principle and yields \begin{align*} m_W = 80369 \pm 130 \pm 33~\text{MeV}, \end{align*} where the first uncertainty is experimental and the second is theoretical.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

First evidence of $CP$ violation in beauty baryon to charmonium decays

A study of the difference in the $CP$ asymmetries between ${\Lambda}^0_b \rightarrow J / \psi p \pi^-$ and ${\Lambda}^0_b \rightarrow J / \psi p K^-$ decays, $\Delta {\cal A}_{CP}$, is performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment in the years 2015--2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $6 \,{\rm fb}^{-1}$. This quantity is measured to be $ \Delta {\cal A}_{CP}=(4.03\pm 1.18\pm 0.23)\%$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. When combined with the previous LHCb result, a value of $\Delta {\cal A}_{CP} = (4.31 \pm 1.06 \pm 0.28)\%$ is obtained, corresponding to a significance of $3.9\sigma$ against the $CP$ symmetry hypothesis. Studies of triple-product asymmetries, which provide an additional probe of $CP$ violation, show no significant deviation from $CP$ symmetry.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Observation of $B_c^+ \to D h^+ h^-$ decays

Searches are presented for $B_{c}^{+} \to D h^+ h^-$ decays, where $D$ is a charmed meson and $h^{\pm}$ is a charged pion or kaon, using $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9~\text{fb}^{-1}$. The decays $B_c^+\to D^+ K^+\pi^-$, $B_c^+\to D^{*+} K^+\pi^-$ and $B_c^+\to D_s^+ K^+ K^-$ are observed for the first time. Their branching fractions, expressed as ratios relative to that of the $B_c^+\to B_s^0\pi^+$ decay, are determined to be \begin{align*} \mathcal{R}(B_c^+\to D^+ K^+\pi^-) =(1.96 \pm 0.23\pm 0.08 \pm 0.10)\times 10^{-3},&\\ \mathcal{R}(B_c^+\to D^{*+} K^+\pi^-) =(3.67 \pm 0.55 \pm 0.24\pm 0.20)\times 10^{-3},&\\ \mathcal{R}(B_c^+\to D_s^+ K^+ K^-) =(1.61 \pm 0.35\pm 0.13\pm 0.07)\times 10^{-3}, \end{align*} where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the limited precision on the $D$-meson branching fractions. The decay channels proceed primarily through excited $K^0$ or $D^0$ resonances or $\phi$ mesons, and open a new avenue for studies of charge-parity violation in beauty mesons.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

A model-independent measurement of the CKM angle $\gamma$ in the decays $B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$ and $B^\pm\to[\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$ ($h = K, \pi$)

A model-independent determination of the CKM angle $\gamma$ is presented, using the $B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$ and $B^\pm\to[\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$ decays, with $h=K,\pi$. This measurement is the first phase-space-binned study of these decay modes, and uses a sample of proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9$fb$^{-1}$. The phase-space bins are optimised for sensitivity to $\gamma$, and in each bin external inputs from the BESIII experiment are used to constrain the charm strong-phase parameters. The result of this binned analysis is $\gamma = (53.9_{-8.9}^{+9.5})^\circ$, where the uncertainty includes both statistical and systematic contributions. Furthermore, when combining with existing phase-space-integrated measurements of the same decay modes, a value of $\gamma = (52.6_{-6.4}^{+8.5})^\circ$ is obtained, which is one of the most precise determinations of $\gamma$ to date.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Angular analysis of $B^0\rightarrow K^{*0}e^{+}e^{-}$ decays

An angular analysis of $B^0\rightarrow K^{*0}e^{+}e^{-}$ decays is presented using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis is performed in the region of the dilepton invariant mass squared of 1.1-6.0 GeV$^{2}/c^{4}$. In addition, a test of lepton flavour universality is performed by comparing the obtained angular observables with those measured in $B^0\rightarrow K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-}$ decays. In general, the angular observables are found to be consistent with the Standard Model expectations as well as with global analyses of other $b \rightarrow s \ell^{+} \ell^{-}$ processes, where $\ell$ is either a muon or an electron. No sign of lepton-flavour-violating effects is observed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Observation of the $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^- K^+$ and $Ξ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^- π^+$ decays

The first observation of the $Ξ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^- π^+$ decay and the most precise measurement of the branching fraction of the $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^- K^+$ decay are reported, using proton-proton collision data from the LHCb experiment collected in 2016--2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13~TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4~fb$^{-1}$. Using the $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψΛ$ and $Ξ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^-$ decays as normalisation channels, the ratios of branching fractions are measured to be: \[ \frac{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^- K^+)}{\mathcal{B}(Λ_b^0 \to J/ψΛ)} = (1.17 \pm 0.14 \pm 0.08)\times 10^{-2} \, , \] \[ \frac{\mathcal{B}(Ξ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^- π^+)}{\mathcal{B}(Ξ_b^0 \to J/ψΞ^-)} = (11.9 \pm 1.4 \pm 0.6)\times 10^{-2}\, , \] where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Observation of exotic $J/ψϕ$ resonant structure in diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions

The first study of $J/ψϕ$ production in diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions is presented. The study is based on an LHCb dataset recorded at centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 fb$^{-1}$. The data disfavour a nonresonant $J/ψϕ$ production but are consistent with a resonant model including several resonant states observed previously only in $B^+ \to J/ψϕK^+$ decays. The $χ_{c0}(4500)$ state is observed with a significance over $6σ$ and the $χ_{c1}(4274)$ is confirmed with a significance of more than $4σ$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Amplitude analysis of $B^0 \rightarrow \eta_c(1S) K^+ \pi^- $ decays

An amplitude analysis of the $B^0 \rightarrow \eta_{c}(1S) K^+ \pi^- $ decays with $\eta_{c}(1S) \to p \bar{p}$ is performed using a sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9$\text{fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}$ = 7, 8 and 13TeV. The data are described with a model including only intermediate contributions from known $K^{0\star}$ resonances. Evidence for an exotic resonance in the $\eta_{c}(1S) \pi^{-} $ system, reported in a previous analysis of this decay channel, is not confirmed. The inclusive branching fraction of the $B^0 \rightarrow \eta_{c}(1S) K^+ \pi^- $ decays is measured to be \begin{align*} \mathcal{B}(B^0 \rightarrow \eta_{c}(1S) K^+ \pi^- ) = (5.82 \pm 0.20 \pm 0.23 \pm 0.55) \times 10^{-4}, \end{align*} where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third arises from the limited knowledge of external branching fractions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Three-pion Bose-Einstein correlations measured in proton-proton collisions

A study on the Bose-Einstein correlations for triplets of same-sign pions is presented. The analysis is performed using proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV, recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb$^{-1}$. For the first time, the results are interpreted in the core-halo model. The parameters of the model are determined in regions of charged-particle multiplicity. This measurement provides insight into the nature of hadronisation in terms of coherence, showing a coherent emission of pions.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Inclusive $B$-meson flavour-tagging algorithm at LHCb

A new algorithm is developed to identify the flavour of neutral $B$ mesons at production in $pp$ collisions by utilising all tracks from the hadronisation process. The algorithm is calibrated separately for $B^0$ and $B^{0}_{s}$ mesons using $B^{0}\to J/\psi K^{+}\pi^-$ and $B^{0}_{s}\to D_{s}^{-}\pi^+$ decays from $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13\,TeV. This new algorithm improves the tagging power by 35\% for $B^{0}$ mesons and 20\% for $B^{0}_{s}$ mesons when compared to the combined performance of the existing LHCb flavour-tagging algorithms.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of branching fractions and $CP$ asymmetries in $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0(\mathit{\Xi}_b^0)\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0h^-$ decays

A study of $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0$ and $\mathit{\Xi}_b^0$ baryon decays to the final states $pK_{\mathrm S}^0\pi^-$ and $pK_{\mathrm S}^0K^-$ is performed using $pp$ collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9\,\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$. The decays $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0K^-$ and $\mathit{\Xi}_b^0\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0K^-$ are observed for the first time, with significances reaching eight standard deviations. The branching fractions and integrated $CP$ asymmetries are measured for the $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0\pi^-$, $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0K^-$, and $\mathit{\Xi}_b^0\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0K^-$ decays. For the decay $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0\!\to pK_{\mathrm S}^0\pi^-$, the $CP$ asymmetries are measured in different regions of the Dalitz plot. No evidence of $CP$ violation is observed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

First observation of the charmless baryonic decay $B^+\to\bar{\Lambda}p\bar{p}p$

A search for the charmless baryonic decay $B^+\to \bar{\Lambda} p\bar{p}p$ is performed using proton-proton collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4~$\text{fb}^{-1}$. The branching fraction for this decay is measured for the first time relative to that of the topologically similar decay $B^+\to J/\psi K^+$, with $J/\psi\to \bar{\Lambda} p K^-$. The branching fraction is measured to be \mbox{$\mathcal{B}(B^+\to \bar{\Lambda} p\bar{p}p) = (2.15 \pm 0.35 \pm 0.12 \pm 0.28) \times 10^{-7}$}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third arises from the uncertainty in the normalization channel branching fraction. The $CP$ asymmetry is measured to be $\mathcal{A}_{CP}=(5.4\pm 15.6\pm 2.4)\%$, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic. The background-subtracted invariant-mass distributions of $\bar{\Lambda}p$ and $\bar{p}p$ pairs exhibit pronounced enhancements at both kinematic thresholds, in contrast to a uniform phase-space distribution.

hep-ex↗