arXiv subjects

W. Sutcliffe

Publications and source records attributed to W. Sutcliffe.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Punzi-loss: A non-differentiable metric approximation for sensitivity optimisation in the search for new particles

We present the novel implementation of a non-differentiable metric approximation and a corresponding loss-scheduling aimed at the search for new particles of unknown mass in high energy physics experiments. We call the loss-scheduling, based on the minimisation of a figure-of-merit related function typical of particle physics, a Punzi-loss function, and the neural network that utilises this loss function a Punzi-net. We show that the Punzi-net outperforms standard multivariate analysis techniques and generalises well to mass hypotheses for which it was not trained. This is achieved by training a single classifier that provides a coherent and optimal classification of all signal hypotheses over the whole search space. Our result constitutes a complementary approach to fully differentiable analyses in particle physics. We implemented this work using PyTorch and provide users full access to a public repository containing all the codes and a training example.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Measurements of $q^2$ Moments of Inclusive $B \rightarrow X_c \ell^+ ν_{\ell}$ Decays with Hadronic Tagging

We present the measurement of the first to fourth order moments of the four-momentum transfer squared, $q^2$, of inclusive $B \rightarrow X_c \ell^+ ν_{\ell}$ decays using the full Belle data set of 711 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity at the $Υ(4S)$ resonance where $\ell = e, μ$. The determination of these moments and their systematic uncertainties open new pathways to determine the absolute value of the CKM matrix element $V_{cb}$ using a reduced set of matrix elements of the heavy quark expansion. In order to identify and reconstruct the $X_c$ system, we reconstruct one of the two $B$-mesons using machine learning techniques in fully hadronic decay modes. The moments are measured with progressively increasing threshold selections on $q^2$ starting with a lower value of 3.0 $\mathrm{GeV}^2$ in steps of 0.5 $\mathrm{GeV}^2$ up to a value of 10.0 $\mathrm{GeV}^2$. The measured moments are further unfolded, correcting for reconstruction and selection effects as well as QED final state radiation. We report the moments separately for electron and muon final states and observe no lepton flavor universality violating effects.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Measurement of Differential Branching Fractions of Inclusive ${B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}}$ Decays

The first measurements of differential branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic ${B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}}$ decays are performed using the full Belle data set of 711 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity at the $Υ(4S)$ resonance and for $\ell = e, μ$. Differential branching fractions are reported as a function of the lepton momentum, the four-momentum-transfer squared, light-cone momenta, the hadronic mass, and the hadronic mass squared. They are obtained by subtracting the backgrounds from semileptonic ${B \to X_c \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}}$ decays and other processes, and corrected for resolution and acceptance effects. The measured distributions are compared to predictions from inclusive and hybrid ${B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}}$ calculations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Measurements of Partial Branching Fractions of Inclusive $B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}$ Decays with Hadronic Tagging

We present measurements of partial branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic $B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}$ decays using the full Belle data set of 711 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity at the $Υ(4S)$ resonance and for $\ell = e, μ$. Inclusive semileptonic $B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}$ decays are CKM suppressed and measurements are complicated by the large background from CKM-favored $B \to X_c \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}$ transitions, which have a similar signature. Using machine learning techniques, we reduce this and other backgrounds effectively, whilst retaining access to a large fraction of the $B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}$ phase space and high signal efficiency. We measure partial branching fractions in three phase-space regions covering about $31\%$ to $86\%$ of the accessible $B \to X_u \, \ell^+\, ν_{\ell}$ phase space. The most inclusive measurement corresponds to the phase space with lepton energies of $E_\ell^B > 1 $ GeV, and we obtain $Δ\mathcal{B}(B \to X_u \ell^+ \, ν_\ell) = \left( 1.59 \pm 0.07 \pm 0.16 \right) \times 10^{-3}$ from a two-dimensional fit of the hadronic mass spectrum and the four-momentum-transfer squared distribution, with the uncertainties denoting the statistical and systematic error. We find $\left| V_{ub} \right| = \left( 4.10 \pm 0.09 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.15 \right) \times 10^{-3}$ from an average of four calculations for the partial decay rate with the third uncertainty denoting the average theory error. This value is higher but compatible with the determination from exclusive semileptonic decays within 1.3 standard deviations. In addition, we report charmless inclusive partial branching fractions separately for $B^+$ and $B^0$ mesons as well as for electron and muon final states. No isospin breaking or lepton flavor universality violating effects are observed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Challenges in Semileptonic B Decays

Two of the elements of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark mixing matrix, $|V_{ub}|$ and $|V_{cb}|$, are extracted from semileptonic B decays. The results of the B factories, analysed in the light of the most recent theoretical calculations, remain puzzling, because for both $|V_{ub}|$ and $|V_{cb}|$ the exclusive and inclusive determinations are in clear tension. Further, measurements in the $τ$ channels at Belle, Babar, and LHCb show discrepancies with the Standard Model predictions, pointing to a possible violation of lepton flavor universality. LHCb and Belle II have the potential to resolve these issues in the next few years. This article summarizes the discussions and results obtained at the MITP workshop held on April 9--13, 2018, in Mainz, Germany, with the goal to develop a medium-term strategy of analyses and calculations aimed at solving the puzzles. Lattice and continuum theorists working together with experimentalists have discussed how to reshape the semileptonic analyses in view of the much higher luminosity expected at Belle II, searching for ways to systematically validate the theoretical predictions in both exclusive and inclusive B decays, and to exploit the rich possibilities at LHCb.

hep-ph↗