Search for heavy neutrinos at the NA48/2 and NA62 experiments at CERN

2018

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. The NA48/2 experiment at CERN has collected large samples of charged kaons decaying into a pion and two muons for the search of heavy nuetrinos. In addition, its successor NA62 has set new limits on the rate of charged kaon decay into a heavy neutral lepton (HNL) and a lepton, with = e, µ, using the data collected in 2007 and 2015. New limits on heavy neutrinos from kaon decays into pions, muons and positrons are presented in this report.

First Observation of Top Quark Production in the Forward Region

2015

Top quark production in the forward region in proton-proton collisions is observed for the first time. The W + b final state with W → μν is reconstructed using muons with a transverse momentum, p[subscript T], larger than 25 GeV in the pseudorapidity range 2.0 20  GeV. The results are based on data corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.0 and 2.0  fb[superscript -1] collected at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV by LHCb. The inclusive top quark production cross sections in the fiducial region are σ(top)[7  TeV] = 239 ± 53(stat) ± 33(syst) ± 24(theory)  fb, σ(top)[8  TeV] = 289 ± 43(stat) ± 40(syst) ± 29(theory)  fb.These results, along with the observed differential yields and c…

Study of W Boson Production in Association with Beauty and Charm

2015

The associated production of a W boson with a jet originating from either a light parton or heavy-flavor quark is studied in the forward region using proton-proton collisions. The analysis uses data corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.0 and 2.0  fb[superscript -1] collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, respectively. The W bosons are reconstructed using the W → μν decay and muons with a transverse momentum, p[subscript T], larger than 20 GeV in the pseudorapidity range 2.0 20  GeV and 2.2 20  GeV. The fraction of W + jet events that originate from beauty and charm quarks is measured, along with the charge asymmetries of the W + b and W + c produ…

Measurement of the chi(b) (3 P) mass and of the relative rate of chi(b1) (1 P) and chi(b2) (1 P) production

2014

The production of $\chi_b$ mesons in proton-proton collisions is studied using a data sample collected by the LHCb detector, at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}=7$ and $8$ TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb$^{-1}$. The $\chi_b$ mesons are identified through their decays to $\Upsilon(1S)\gamma$ and $\Upsilon(2S)\gamma$ using photons that converted to $e^+e^-$ pairs in the detector. The $\chi_b(3P)$ meson mass, and the relative prompt production rate of $\chi_{b1}(1P)$ and $\chi_{b2}(1P)$ mesons as a function of the $\Upsilon(1S)$ transverse momentum in the $\chi_b$ rapidity range 2.0< $y$<4.5, are measured. Assuming a mass splitting between the $\chi_{b1}(3P)$ an…

Measurement of CP asymmetry in D 0 → K - K + and D 0 → π - πdecays

2014

Time-integrated $CP$ asymmetries in $D^0$ decays to the final states $K^- K^+$ and $\pi^- \pi^+$ are measured using proton-proton collisions corresponding to $3\mathrm{\,fb}^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity collected at centre-of-mass energies of $7\mathrm{\,Te\kern -0.1em V}$ and $8\mathrm{\,Te\kern -0.1em V}$. The $D^0$ mesons are produced in semileptonic $b$-hadron decays, where the charge of the accompanying muon is used to determine the initial flavour of the charm meson. The difference in $CP$ asymmetries between the two final states is measured to be \begin{align} \Delta A_{CP} = A_{CP}(K^-K^+)-A_{CP}(\pi^-\pi^+) = (+0.14 \pm 0.16\mathrm{\,(stat)} \pm 0.08\mathrm{\,(syst)})\% \ . \nonu…

Search for Structure in theBs0π±Invariant Mass Spectrum

2016

The $B_s^0\pi^\pm$ invariant mass distribution is investigated in order to search for possible exotic meson states. The analysis is based on a data sample recorded with the LHCb detector corresponding to $3$ fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ and $8$ TeV. No significant excess is found, and upper limits are set on the production rate of the claimed $X(5568)$ state. Upper limits are also set as a function of the mass and width of a possible exotic meson decaying to the $B_s^0\pi^\pm$ final state.

First experimental study of photon polarization in radiative B0s decays.

2017

The polarization of photons produced in radiative $B^{0}_{s}$ decays is studied for the first time. The data are recorded by the LHCb experiment in $pp$ collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3fb$^{-1}$ at center-of-mass energies of $7$ and $8$TeV. A time-dependent analysis of the $B^{0}_{s} \to \phi \gamma$ decay rate is conducted to determine the parameter ${\mathcal{A}}^\Delta$, which is related to the ratio of right- over left-handed photon polarization amplitudes in $b \to s \gamma$ transitions. A value of ${\mathcal{A}}^\Delta=-0.98^{\,+0.46\,+0.23}_{\,-0.52\,-0.20}$ is measured. This result is consistent with the Standard Model prediction within two standard deviatio…

Effective lifetime measurements in theBs0→K+K−,B0→K+π−andBs0→π+K−decays

2014

Measurements of the effective lifetimes in the B-s(0) -> K+K-, B-0 -> K+pi(-) and B-s(0) -> pi K-+(-) decays are presented using 1.0 fb(-1)of pp collision data collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV by the LHCb experiment. The analysis uses a data-driven approach to correct for the decay time acceptance. The measured effective lifetimes are tau(Bs0 -> K+K-) = 1.407 +/- 0.016 (stat) +/- 0.007 (syst) ps, tau(Bs0 -> K+pi-) = 1.524 +/- 0.011 (stat) +/- 0.004 (syst) ps, tau(Bs0 ->pi+K-) = 1.60 +/- 0.06 (stat) +/- 0.01 (syst) ps. This is the most precise determination to date of the effective lifetime in the B-s(0) -> K+K- decay and provides constraints on contributions from physics beyond…

Evidence for the Strangeness-Changing Weak DecayΞb−→Λb0π−

2015

Using a pp collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb^{-1}, collected by the LHCb detector, we present the first search for the strangeness-changing weak decay Ξ_{b}^{-}→Λ_{b}^{0}π^{-}. No b hadron decay of this type has been seen before. A signal for this decay, corresponding to a significance of 3.2 standard deviations, is reported. The relative rate is measured to be f_{Ξ_{b}^{-}}/f_{Λ_{b}^{0}}B(Ξ_{b}^{-}→Λ_{b}^{0}π^{-})=(5.7±1.8_{-0.9}^{+0.8})×10^{-4},where f_{Ξ_{b}^{-}} and f_{Λ_{b}^{0}} are the b→Ξ_{b}^{-} and b→Λ_{b}^{0} fragmentation fractions, and B(Ξ_{b}^{-}→Λ_{b}^{0}π^{-}) is the branching fraction. Assuming f_{Ξ_{b}^{-}}/f_{Λ_{b}^{0}} is bounded b…

First study of the CP-violating phase and decay-width difference in Bs0→ψ(2S)ϕ decays

2016

A time-dependent angular analysis of Bs0→ψ(2S)ϕ decays is performed using data recorded by the LHCb experiment. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.0fb−1 collected during Run 1 of the LHC. The CP-violating phase and decay-width difference of the Bs0 system are measured to be ϕs=0.23−0.28+0.29±0.02rad and ΔΓs=0.066−0.044+0.041±0.007ps−1, respectively, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This is the first time that ϕs and ΔΓs have been measured in a decay containing the ψ(2S) resonance.

Precision measurement of the ratio of the Λb0 to B¯0 lifetimes

2014

The LHCb measurement of the lifetime ratio of the Lambda(0)(b) baryon to the (B) over bar (0) meson is updated using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1) collected using 7 and 8 TeV centre-of-mass energy pp collisions at the LHC. The decay modes used are Lambda(0)(b) -> J/psi pK(-) and (B) over bar (0) -> J/psi pi K-+(-), where the pi K-+(-) mass is consistent with that of the (K) over bar*(0)(892) meson. The lifetime ratio is determined with unprecedented precision to be 0.974 +/- 0.006 +/- 0.004, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This result is in agreement with original theoretical predictions based on the heavy quark expansion.…

Observation of charmonium pairs produced exclusively in $pp$ collisions

2014

A search is performed for the central exclusive production of pairs of charmonia produced in proton-proton collisions. Using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3{\rm\ fb}^{-1}$ collected at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, $J/\psi J/\psi$ and $J/\psi\psi(2S)$ pairs are observed, which have been produced in the absence of any other activity inside the LHCb acceptance that is sensitive to charged particles in the pseudorapidity ranges $(-3.5,-1.5)$ and $(1.5,5.0)$. Searches are also performed for pairs of P-wave charmonia and limits are set on their production. The cross-sections for these processes, where the dimeson system has a rapidity between 2.0 and 4.5, are measu…

Measurement of CP asymmetry in Bs0 → Ds ∓K± decays

2014

Journal of high energy physics 2018(3), 59 (2018). doi:10.1007/JHEP03(2018)059

Measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ω(−)(b) baryon

2016

A proton-proton collision data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$ collected by LHCb at $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 TeV, is used to reconstruct $63\pm9$ $\Omega_b^-\to\Omega_c^0\pi^-$, $\Omega_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decays. Using the $\Xi_b^-\to\Xi_c^0\pi^-$, $\Xi_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decay mode for calibration, the lifetime ratio and absolute lifetime of the $\Omega_b^-$ baryon are measured to be \begin{align*} \frac{\tau_{\Omega_b^-}}{\tau_{\Xi_b^-}} &= 1.11\pm0.16\pm0.03, \\ \tau_{\Omega_b^-} &= 1.78\pm0.26\pm0.05\pm0.06~{\rm ps}, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the calibration mode (for $\tau_{\Omega_b^-}$ only). A measurement …

Observation of $Z$ production in proton-lead collisions at LHCb

2014

The first observation of $Z$ boson production in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per proton-nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5~\text{TeV}$ is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $1.6~\text{nb}^{-1}$ collected with the LHCb detector. The $Z$ candidates are reconstructed from pairs of oppositely charged muons with pseudorapidities between 2.0 and 4.5 and transverse momenta above $20~\text{GeV}/c$. The invariant dimuon mass is restricted to the range $60-120~\text{GeV}/c^2$. The $Z$ production cross-section is measured to be \begin{eqnarray*} ��_{Z\to��^+��^-}(\text{fwd})&amp;=&amp;13.5^{+5.4}_{-4.0}\text{(stat.)}\pm1.2\text{(syst.)}~\text{nb} …

Differential branching fractions and isospin asymmetries of B -> K ((*)) μ(+) μ(-) decays

2014

The isospin asymmetries of $B \to K\mu^+\mu^-$ and $B \to K^{*}\mu^+\mu^-$ decays and the partial branching fractions of the $B^0 \to K^0\mu^+\mu^-$, $B^+ \to K^+\mu^+\mu^-$ and $B^+ \to K^{*+}\mu^+\mu^-$ decays are measured as functions of the dimuon mass squared, $q^2$. The data used correspond to an integrated luminosity of 3$~$fb$^{-1}$ from proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7$\,$TeV and 8$\,$TeV in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The isospin asymmetries are both consistent with the Standard Model expectations. The three measured branching fractions, while individually consistent, all favour lower values than their respective Standard M…

First observation and study of the K± → π±π0e+e− decay

2018

The NA48/2 experiment at CERN reports the first observation of the K-+/- -> pi(+/-)pi(0)e(+)e(-) decay from an exposure of 1.7 x 10(11) charged kaon decays recorded in 2003-2004. A sample of 4919 candidates with 4.9% background contamination allows the determination of the branching ratio in the full kinematic region, BR(K-+/- -> pi(+/-)pi(0)e(+)e(-)) = (4.24 +/- 0.14) x 10(-6). The study of the kinematic space shows evidence for a structure dependent contribution in agreement with predictions based on chiral perturbation theory. Several P- and CP-violating asymmetries are also evaluated.

Search for K+→ π+νν¯ at NA62

2018

Flavour physics is one of the most powerful fields for the search of new physics beyond the Standard Model. The kaon sector with the rare decay K+ → π+νν̅ provides one of the cleanest and most promising channels. NA62, a fixed target experiment at the CERN SPS, aims to measure BR (K+ → π+νν̅) with 10% precision to test the Standard Model validity up to an energy scale of hundreds of TeV. NA62 had dedicated data taking for the K+ → π+νν̅ measurement in 2016 and 2017 and will continue in 2018. Here preliminary results on a fraction of 2016 dataset are presented. The analysis of the complete 2016 data sample is expected to achieve the SM sensitivity.

Differential branching fraction and angular analysis of the decay $B^{0} \to K^{*0} \mu^{+}\mu^{-}$

2013

The angular distribution and differential branching fraction of the decay B-0 -> K*(0)mu(+)mu(-) are studied using a data sample, collected by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1). Several angular observables are measured in bins of the dimuon invariant mass squared, q(2). A first measurement of the zero-crossing point of the forward-backward asymmetry of the dimuon system is also presented. The zero-crossing point is measured to be q(0)(2) = 4.9 +/- 0.9 GeV2/c(4), where the uncertainty is the sum of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The results are consistent with the Standard Model predictions.

Searches for violation of lepton flavour and baryon number in tau lepton decays at LHCb

2013

Searches for the lepton flavour violating decay tau(-) -> mu(-)mu(+)mu(-) and the lepton flavour and baryon number violating decays tau(-) -> (p) over bar mu(+)mu(-) and tau(-) -> p mu(-)mu(-) have been carried out using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1), taken by the LHCb experiment at root s = 7 TeV. No evidence has been found for any signal, and limits have been set at 90% confidence level on the branching fractions: B(tau(-) -> mu(-)mu(+)mu(-) mu(+)mu(-)) p mu(-)mu(-)) (p) over bar mu(+)mu(-) and tau(-) -> p mu(-)mu(-) decay modes represent the first direct experimental limits on these channels.

Measurement of CP asymmetries in the decays B0 → K*0 μ+μ- and B+ → K+ μ+μ-

2014

The direct CP asymmetries of the decays B 0 → K *0 μ + μ − and B + → K + μ + μ − are measured using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected with the LHCb detector. The respective control modes B 0 → J/ψK *0 and B + → J/ψK + are used to account for detection and production asymmetries. The measurements are made in several intervals of μ + μ − invariant mass squared, with the ϕ(1020) and charmonium resonance regions excluded. Under the hypothesis of zero CP asymmetry in the control modes, the average values of the asymmetries are ACP(B0→K∗0μ+μ−)=−0.035±0.024±0.003,ACP(B+→K+μ+μ−)=0.012±0.017±0.001, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the …

Search for K+&#8594; &#960;+&#957;&#957;&#175; at NA62

2018

Determination of the $X(3872)$ meson quantum numbers

2013

The quantum numbers of the X(3872) meson are determined to be J(PC) = 1(++) based on angular correlations in B+ -> X(3872)K+ decays, where X(3872) -> pi(+) pi(-) j/psi and J/psi -> pi(+) mu(-). The data correspond to 1.0 fb(-1) of pp collisions collected by the LHCb detector. The only alternative assignment allowed by previous measurements J(PC) = 2(-+) is rejected with a confidence level equivalent to more than 8 Gaussian standard deviations using a likelihood-ratio test in the full angular phase space. This result favors exotic explanations of the X(3872) state.

Search for CP violation using T-odd correlations in D-0 -> K+K-pi(+)pi(-) decays

2014

A search for $CP$ violation using $T$-odd correlations is performed using the four-body $D^0 \to K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-$ decay, selected from semileptonic $B$ decays. The data sample corresponds to integrated luminosities of $1.0\,\text{fb}^{-1}$ and $2.0\,\text{fb}^{-1}$ recorded at the centre-of-mass energies of 7 TeV and 8 TeV, respectively. The $CP$-violating asymmetry $a_{CP}^{T\text{-odd}}$ is measured to be $(0.18\pm 0.29\text{(stat)}\pm 0.04\text{(syst)})\%$. Searches for $CP$ violation in different regions of phase space of the four-body decay, and as a function of the $D^0$ decay time, are also presented. No significant deviation from the $CP$ conservation hypothesis is found.