Engineering topics

Alexander, M. (ORCID:0000000281482392)

Publications and source records attributed to Alexander, M. (ORCID:0000000281482392).

At least 55 records · Page 3

DOE OSTI2023

Study of charmonium decays to K S 0 K π in the B → ( K S 0 K π ) K channels

A study of the B + → $K^0_S$K + K - π + and B + → $K^0_S$K + 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 $K^0_S$Kπ 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 + → χ c0 K 0 π + is reported as well as first measurements of the B + → K 0 K + K - π + and B + → K 0 K + K - π + branching fractions. Dalitz plot analyses of η c → $K^0_S$Kπ and η c (2S) → $K^0_S$Kπ decays are performed. A new measurement of the amplitude and phase of the Kπ S-wave as functions of the Kπ 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.

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DOE OSTI2023

Observation of a Resonant Structure near the D s + D s - Threshold in the B + → D s + D s - K + Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B + → $D^{+}_{s}$ $D^{-}_{s}$ ⁢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 center-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 ± 5 ± 10 MeV, 43 ± 13 ± 8 MeV, and J P⁢C = 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$\overline{c}$s$\overline{s}$ 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/ψ⁢Φ ↔ $D^{+}_{s}$ $D^{-}_{s}$ coupled-channel effect.

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DOE OSTI2023

Evidence for Modification of $b$ Quark Hadronization in High-Multiplicity $pp$ Collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The production rate of $B^{0}_{s}$ mesons relative to $B^0$ mesons is measured by the LHCb experiment in $pp$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV over the forward rapidity interval 2 < $y$ < 4.5 as a function of the charged particle multiplicity measured in the event. Evidence at the 3.4$σ$ level is found for an increase of the ratio of $B^{0}_{s}$ to $B^0$ cross sections with multiplicity at transverse momenta below 6 GeV /$c$, with no significant multiplicity dependence at higher transverse momentum. Comparison with data from $e^+$ $e^–$ collisions implies that the density of the hadronic medium may affect the production rates of $B$ mesons. This is qualitatively consistent with the emergence of quark coalescence as an additional hadronization mechanism in high-multiplicity collisions.

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DOE OSTI2023

Search for CP violation using $\hat{T}$-odd correlations in $B^0→p⁢\overline{p}K^{+}⁢\pi^-$ decays

A search for CP and P violation in charmless four-body B 0 → p$\overline{p}$K + ⁢π – decays is performed using triple-product asymmetry observables. It is based on proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 8.4 fb –1 . The CP- and P-violating asymmetries are measured both in the integrated phase space and in specific regions. No evidence is seen for CP violation. P-parity violation is observed at a significance of 5.8 standard deviations.

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DOE OSTI2023

Multidifferential study of identified charged hadron distributions in Z -tagged jets in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =13$ TeV

Jet fragmentation functions are measured for the first time in proton-proton collisions for charged pions, kaons, and protons within jets recoiling against a Z boson. The charged-hadron distributions are studied longitudinally and transversely to the jet direction for jets with transverse momentum 20 < p T < 100 GeV and in the pseudorapidity range 2.5 < η <4. The data sample was collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.64 fb –1 . Triple differential distributions as a function of the hadron longitudinal momentum fraction, hadron transverse momentum, and jet transverse momentum are also measured for the first time. This helps constrain transverse-momentum-dependent fragmentation functions. Differences in the shapes and magnitudes of the measured distributions for the different hadron species provide insights into the hadronization process for jets predominantly initiated by light quarks.

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DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of lepton universality parameters in B + → K + ℓ + ℓ – and B 0 → K* 0 ℓ + ℓ – decays

A simultaneous analysis of the B + → K + ℓ + ℓ – and B 0 → K* 0 ℓ + ℓ – decays is performed to test muon-electron universality in two ranges of the square of the dilepton invariant mass, q 2 . The measurement uses a sample of beauty meson decays produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb –1 . A sequence of multivariate selections and strict particle identification requirements produce a higher signal purity and a better statistical sensitivity per unit luminosity than previous LHCb lepton universality tests using the same decay modes. Residual backgrounds due to misidentified hadronic decays are studied using data and included in the fit model. Each of the four lepton universality measurements reported is either the first in the given q 2 interval or supersedes previous LHCb measurements. The results are compatible with the predictions of the Standard Model.

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DOE OSTI2023

Test of Lepton Universality in b → $s$$\ell$ + $\ell$ – Decays

The first simultaneous test of muon-electron universality using $B^+$ → $K^+$$\ell^+$$\ell^–$ and $B^0$ → $K^{*0}$$\ell^+$$\ell^–$ decays is performed, in two ranges of the dilepton invariant-mass squared, q 2 . The analysis uses 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 . Each of the four lepton universality measurements reported is either the first in the given q 2 interval or supersedes previous LHCb measurements. The results are compatible with the predictions of the Standard Model.

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DOE OSTI2023

Search for the baryon- and lepton-number violating decays B 0 → pμ⁻ and $B^0_s$ → pμ⁻

A search for the baryon- and lepton-number violating decays and $B$$^{0}_{s}$ →pμ – is performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in proton-proton collisions at √s =7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 6 fb –1 , respectively. No significant signal for B 0 → p⁢μ – and $B$$^{0}_{s}$ → p⁢μ – decays is found and the upper limits on the branching fractions are determined to be Β⁡(B 0 → pμ – ) < 2.6⁢(3.1) ×10 –9 and Β($B$$^{0}_{s}$ → pμ – ) < 12.1⁢(14.0) ×10 –9 , respectively, at 90% (95%) confidence level. These are the first limits on these decays to date.

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DOE OSTI2023

Amplitude analysis of the Λ c + → p K - π + decay and Λ c + baryon polarization measurement in semileptonic beauty hadron decays

An amplitude analysis of Λ c + → p K - π + decays together with a measurement of the Λ c + polarization vector in semiōleptonic 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 + → p K - π + decay to the polarization is seen, making the amplitude model suitable for Λ c + polarization measurements in other systems.

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DOE OSTI2023

Amplitude analysis of B 0 → D ¯ 0 D s + π - and B + → D - D s + π + decays

Resonant contributions in B 0 → D ¯ 0 D s + π - and B + → D - D s + π + 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 TeV. The full data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb -1 . A doubly charged spin-0 open-charm tetraquark candidate together with a neutral partner, both with masses near 2.9 GeV, are observed in the $D_sπ$ decay channel.

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DOE OSTI2023

Study of the B - → Λ c + Λ ¯ c - K - decay

The decay B - → $Λ^+_c \overline{Λ}^-_c K^-$ is studied in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 fb -1 collected by the LHCb experiment. In the $Λ^+_c K^-$ system, the Ξ c (2930) 0 state observed at the BABAR and Belle experiments is resolved into two narrower states, Ξ c (2923) 0 and Ξ c (2939) 0 , whose masses and widths are measured to be m(Ξ c (2923) 0 ) = 2924.5 ± 0.4 ± 1.1 MeV, m(Ξ c (2939) 0 ) = 2938.5 ± 0.9 ± 2.3 MeV, Γ(Ξ c (2923) 0 ) = 4.8 ± 0.9 ± 1.5 MeV, Γ(Ξ c (2939) 0 ) = 11.0 ± 1.9 ± 7.5 MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The results are consistent with a previous LHCb measurement using a prompt $Λ^+_c K^-$ sample. Evidence of a new Ξ c (2880) 0 state is found with a local significance of 3.8σ, whose mass and width are measured to be 2881.8 ± 3.1 ± 8.5 MeV and 12.4 ± 5.3 ± 5.8 MeV, respectively. In addition, evidence of a new decay mode Ξ c (2790) 0 → $Λ^+_c K^-$ is found with a significance of 3.7σ. The relative branching fraction of B - → $Λ^+_c \overline{Λ}^-_c K^-$ with respect to the B - → D + D - K - decay is measured to be 2.36 ± 0.11 0.22 ± 0.25, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third originates from the branching fractions of charm hadron decays.

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DOE OSTI2023

Observation of sizeable ω contribution to χ c 1 ( 3872 ) → π + π - J / ψ decays

Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from $χ$ c1 (3872) → π + π - J/ψ decays, produced via B + → 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) → ωJ/ψ decay is established for the first time, (21.4 ± 2.3 ± 2.0)%, with a significance of more than 7.1σ. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, $χ$ c1 (3872) → ρ 0 J/ψ, relative to isospin conserving decay, $χ$ c1 (3872) → ωJ/ψ, is properly determined, and it is a factor of 6 larger than expected for a pure charmonium state.

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DOE OSTI2023

First Observation of a Doubly Charged Tetraquark and Its Neutral Partner

A combined amplitude analysis is performed for the decays $B^0$ → $\overline{D}$ 0 $D_s^+$$π^–$ and $B^+$ → $D^–$$D_s^+$$π^+$, which are related by isospin symmetry. The analysis is based on data collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The full data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb –1 . Two new resonant states with masses of 2.908 ± 0.011 ± 0.020 GeV and widths of 0.136 ± 0.023 ± 0.013 GeV are observed, which decay to $D_s^+$$π^+$ and $D_s^+$$π^–$ respectively. The former state indicates the first observation of a doubly charged open-charm tetraquark state with minimal quark content [c$\overline{s}$u$\overline{d}$], and the latter state is a neutral tetraquark composed of [c$\overline{s}$$\overline{u}$d] quarks. Both states are found to have spin-parity of 0 + , and their resonant parameters are consistent with each other, which suggests that they belong to an isospin triplet.

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DOE OSTI2023

Search for $D^{*}(2007)^{0} \rightarrow \mu ^{+} \mu ^{-}$ in $B^{-}\rightarrow \pi ^{-} \mu ^{+} \mu ^{-}$ decays

The very rare D* (2007) 0 → μ + μ – decay is searched for by analysing B – → 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 B (D* (2007) 0 → μ + μ – ) < 2.6 x 10 –8 at 90% confidence level. This is the first limit on the branching fraction of D* (2007) 0 → μ + 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.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

${{J}/\psi }$ and ${{D}} ^0$ production in $\sqrt{s_{\scriptscriptstyle \text {NN}}} =68.5\,\text {GeV} $ PbNe collisions

The first measurement of ${{J}/\psi }$ and ${{D}} ^0$ production in PbNe collisions by the LHCb experiment in its fixed-target configuration is reported. The production of ${{J}/\psi }$ and ${{D}} ^0$ mesons is studied with a beam of lead ions with an energy of 2.5 TeV per nucleon colliding on gaseous neon targets at rest, corresponding to a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{\scriptscriptstyle \text {NN}}} =68.5\,\text {GeV}$. The ${{J}/\psi }$/${{D}} ^0$ production cross-section ratio is studied as a function of rapidity, transverse momentum and collision centrality. These data are compared with measurements from $p\text {Ne}$ collisions at the same energy and show no difference in the observed ${{J}/\psi }$ suppression trend when comparing $p\text {Ne}$ and PbNe peripheral collisions with PbNe central collisions. Similar content being vie

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

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 TeV with the LHCb detector. The π 0 production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum (p T ) for 1.5 < p Τ < 10.0 GeV and in center-of-mass pseudorapidity (η c.m. ) regions 2.5 < η c.m. < 3.5 (forward) and -4.0 < η 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.

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DOE OSTI2023

Search for direct CP violation in charged charmless B→PV decays

Measurements of C P asymmetry in charmless B → P V decays are presented, where P and V denote a pseudoscalar and a vector meson, respectively. Five different B → P V decays from four final states, B ± → π ± π + π - , B ± → K ± π + π - , B ± → K ± K + K - and B ± → π ± K + K - are analyzed. The measurements are based on a method that does not require full amplitude analyses, and are performed using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by LHCb between 2015 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.9 fb - 1 . In the π + π - P -wave, in the region dominated by the B ± → ρ ( 770 ) 0 K ± decay, a C P asymmetry of A C P = + 0.150 ± 0.019 ± 0.011 is measured, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the first observation of C P violation in this process. For the other four decay channels, in regions dominated by the B ± → ρ ( 770 ) 0 π ± , B ± → K ( ¯ ) * ( 892 ) 0 π ± , B ± → K ( ¯ ) * ( 892 ) 0 K ± and B ± → Φ ( 1020 ) K ± decays, C P asymmetries in the P -wave compatible with zero are measured.

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DOE OSTI2023

Observation of a J / ψ Λ Resonance Consistent with a Strange Pentaquark Candidate in B - → J / ψ Λ p ¯ Decays

An amplitude analysis of Β - → J/ψ⁢Λ⁢$\overline{p}$ decays is performed using 4400 signal candidates selected on a data sample of pp collisions recorded at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb -1 . A narrow resonance in the J/ψ⁢Λ system, consistent with a pentaquark candidate with strangeness, is observed with high significance. The mass and the width of this new state are measured to be 4338.2±0.7±0.4 MeV and 7.0±1.2±1.3 MeV, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The spin is determined to be 1/2 and negative parity is preferred. Because of the small Q-value of the reaction, the most precise single measurement of the B- mass to date, 5279.44±0.05±0.07 MeV, is obtained.

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