Production of $B_c^+$ mesons in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV is studied with data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $2.0~{\rm fb}^{-1}$ recorded by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of production cross-sections times branching fractions between the $B_c^+\to J/\psi \pi^+$ and $B^+\to J/\psi K^+$ decays is measured as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity in the regions $0 < p_{\rm T} < 20~{\rm GeV}/c$ and $2.0 < y < 4.5$. The ratio in this kinematic range is measured to be $(0.683\pm0.018\pm0.009)\%$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.
Double differential production ratio $R(p_T, y)$ in bins of $p_T$ and $y$.
Differential production ratio $R(p_T)$ in bins of $p_T$ and integrated over $2.0 < y <4.5$ range.
Differential production ratio $R(y)$ in bins of $y$ and integrated over $0 < p_T < 20$ $GeV/c$ range.
A study is presented of central exclusive production of $\Upsilon(nS)$ states, where the $\Upsilon(nS)$ resonances decay to the $\mu^+\mu^-$ final state, using $pp$ collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment. The cross-section is measured in the rapidity range $2<y(\Upsilon)<4.5$ where the muons are reconstructed in the pseudorapidity range $2<\eta(\mu^\pm)<4.5$. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 fb$^{-1}$ and was collected at centre-of-mass energies of $7$ TeV and $8$ TeV. The measured $\Upsilon(1S)$ and $\Upsilon(2S)$ production cross-sections are \begin{eqnarray} \sigma(pp \to p\Upsilon(1S)p) &=& 9.0 \pm 2.1 \pm 1.7\textrm{ pb and}\nonumber\\ \sigma(pp \to p\Upsilon(2S)p) &=& 1.3 \pm 0.8 \pm 0.3\textrm{ pb},\nonumber \end{eqnarray} where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The $\Upsilon(1S)$ cross-section is also measured as a function of rapidity and is found to be in good agreement with Standard Model predictions. An upper limit is set at 3.4 pb at the 95\% confidence level for the exclusive $\Upsilon(3S)$ production cross-section, including possible contamination from $\chi_b(3P)\to\Upsilon(3S)\gamma$ decays.
Production cross-section for the $\Upsilon(1S)$ resonance in ranges of $\Upsilon(1S)$ rapidity, where the muons are required to lie in the pseudorapidity range $2 < \eta(\mu^{\pm}) < 4.5$. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic.
Differential production cross-section for $\Upsilon(1S)$, where the data have been corrected for the effect of the LHCb geometrical acceptance. The statistical and systematic uncertainties are combined in quadrature.
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 relative prompt production rate of $\chi_{b1}(1P)$ and $\chi_{b2}(1P)$ mesons is measured as a function of the $\Upsilon(1S)$ transverse momentum in the $\chi_b$ rapidity range $2.0<y<4.5$. A precise measurement of the $\chi_b(3P)$ mass is also performed. Assuming a mass splitting between the $\chi_{b1}(3P)$ and the $\chi_{b2}(3P)$ states of 10.5 MeV/$c^2$, the measured mass of the $\chi_{b1}(3P)$ meson is $ m(\chi_{b1}(3P))= 10515.7^{+2.2}_{-3.9}(stat) ^{+1.5}_{-2.1}(syst) MeV/c^2.$
Relative production cross section of $\chi_{b2}(1P)$ to $\chi_{b1}(1P)$ mesons in $p_T$ bins of $\Upsilon(1S)$ meson. The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is due to the uncertainty on the branching fractions.
A measurement of the cross-section for Z-boson production in the forward region of pp collisions at 8TeV centre-of-mass energy is presented. The measurement is based on a sample of $\rm Z\rightarrow e^+e^-$ decays reconstructed using the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0fb$^{-1}$. The acceptance is defined by the requirements $2.0<\eta<4.5$ and $p_{\rm T}>20$GeV for the pseudorapidities and transverse momenta of the leptons. Their invariant mass is required to lie in the range 60--120GeV. The cross-section is determined to be $$ \sigma({\rm pp\to Z\to e^+e^-})=93.81\pm0.41({\rm stat})\pm1.48({\rm syst})\pm1.14({\rm lumi})\;{\rm pb}\,,$$ where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second reflects all systematic effects apart from that arising from the luminosity, which is given as the third uncertainty. Differential cross-sections are presented as functions of the Z-boson rapidity and of the angular variable $\phi^*$, which is related to the Z-boson transverse momentum.
Integrated cross-section for Z$\to$ e$^+$e$^-$ within the LHCb acceptance.
Differential cross-section for Z$\to$ e$^+$e$^-$ as a function of Z-boson rapidity. The first error is statistical, the second the uncorrelated experimental systematic, the third the correlated experimental systematic and the last error is the uncertainty in luminosity. The cross-sections are at the Born level, i.e. before FSR. The rightmost column gives values of the additional factor, $f_{\rm FSR}$, by which the results should be multiplied in order to give the cross-sections after FSR.
Differential cross-section for Z$\to$ e$^+$e$^-$ as a function of $\phi^*$. The first error is statistical, the second the uncorrelated experimental systematic, the third the correlated experimental systematic and the last error is the uncertainty in luminosity. The cross-sections are at the Born level, i.e. before FSR. The rightmost column gives values of the additional factor, $f_{\rm FSR}$, by which the results should be multiplied in order to give the cross-sections after FSR.
A study of $\chi_{b}$ meson production at LHCb is performed on proton-proton collision data, corresponding to 3.0fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity collected at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8TeV. The fraction of $\Upsilon(nS)$ mesons originating from $\chi_{b}$ decays is measured as a function of the $\Upsilon$ transverse momentum in the rapidity range $2.0 < y^{\Upsilon} < 4.5$. The radiative transition of the $\chi_{b}(3P)$ meson to $\Upsilon(3S)$ is observed for the first time. The $\chi_{b1}(3P)$ mass is determined to be $$m(\chi_{b1}(3P)) = 10\,511.3 \pm 1.7 \pm 2.5 MeV/c^2,$$ where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.
Fractions $R_{\Upsilon(1S)}^{\chi_{b}(mP)}$ in bins of $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\Upsilon}$, measured for data collected at $\sqrt{s}= 7$ TeV.
Fractions $R_{\Upsilon(2S)}^{\chi_{b}(mP)}$ in bins of $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\Upsilon}$, measured for data collected at $\sqrt{s}= 7$ TeV.
Fractions $R_{\Upsilon(3S)}^{\chi_{b}(mP)}$ in bins of $p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\Upsilon}$, measured for data collected at $\sqrt{s}= 7$ TeV.
The production of the $\eta_c (1S)$ state in proton-proton collisions is probed via its decay to the $p \bar{p}$ final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range $2.0 < y < 4.5$ and in the meson transverse-momentum range $p_T > 6.5$ GeV/c. The cross-section for prompt production of $\eta_c (1S)$ mesons relative to the prompt $J/\psi$ cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be $\sigma_{\eta_c (1S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi} = 1.74 \pm 0.29 \pm 0.28 \pm 0.18 _{B}$ at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb$^{-1}$, and $\sigma_{\eta_c (1S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi} = 1.60 \pm 0.29 \pm 0.25 \pm 0.17 _{B}$ at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV using 2.0 fb$^{-1}$. The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the $\eta_c (1S)$ and $J/\psi$ decays to the $p \bar{p}$ final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of $b$-hadron decays into $\eta_c (1S)$ mesons is measured, for the first time, to be $B ( b \rightarrow \eta_c X ) = (4.88 \pm 0.64 \pm 0.29 \pm 0.67 _{B}) \times 10^{-3}$, where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the $J/\psi$ inclusive branching fraction from $b$-hadron decays. The difference between the $J/\psi$ and $\eta_c (1S)$ meson masses is determined to be $114.7 \pm 1.5 \pm 0.1$ MeV/c$^2$.
Differential cross-section for $\eta_c(1S)$ prompt production for $p_T > 6.5$ [GeV/$c$] and $2.0 < y < 4.5$. The reported uncertainties are total errors.
Differential cross-section for $\eta_c(1S)$ prompt production for $p_T > 6.5$ [GeV/$c$] and $2.0 < y < 4.5$. The reported uncertainties are total errors.
Differential cross-section for $\eta_c(1S)$ from inclusive charmonium production in b-hadrons decays for $p_T > 6.5$ [GeV/$c$] and $2.0 < y < 4.5$. The reported uncertainties are total errors.
The inclusive $D_s^{\pm}$ production asymmetry is measured in $pp$ collisions collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s} =7$ and 8 TeV. Promptly produced $D_s^{\pm}$ mesons are used, which decay as $D_s^{\pm}\to\phi\pi^{\pm}$, with $\phi\to K^+K^-$. The measurement is performed in bins of transverse momentum, $p_{\rm T}$, and rapidity, $y$, covering the range $2.5
Values of the $D_s^+$ production asymmetry in percent, including, respectively, the statistical and systematic uncertainties for each of the $D_s^+$ kinematic bins using the combined $\sqrt{s} =7$ and 8 TeV data sets. The statistical and systematic uncertainties include the corresponding contributions from the detection asymmetries, and are therefore correlated between the bins. ASYM is defined as ASYM = ((SIG(D/S+)-SIG(D/S-))/(SIG(D/S+)+SIG(D/S+)).
Values of the $D_s^+$ production asymmetry in percent, including, respectively, the statistical and systematic uncertainties for each of the $D_s^+$ kinematic bins using the $\sqrt{s} =7$ TeV data set. The statistical and systematic uncertainties include the corresponding contributions from the detection asymmetries, and are therefore correlated between the bins. ASYM is defined as ASYM = ((SIG(D/S+)-SIG(D/S-))/(SIG(D/S+)+SIG(D/S+)).
Values of the $D_s^+$ production asymmetry in percent, including, respectively, the statistical and systematic uncertainties for each of the $D_s^+$ kinematic bins using the $\sqrt{s} =8$ TeV data set. The statistical and systematic uncertainties include the corresponding contributions from the detection asymmetries, and are therefore correlated between the bins. ASYM is defined as ASYM = ((SIG(D/S+)-SIG(D/S-))/(SIG(D/S+)+SIG(D/S+)).
A narrow pentaquark state, $P_c(4312)^+$, decaying to $J/\psi p$ is discovered with a statistical significance of $7.3\sigma$ in a data sample of ${\Lambda_b^0\to J/\psi p K^-}$ decays which is an order of magnitude larger than that previously analyzed by the LHCb collaboration. The $P_c(4450)^+$ pentaquark structure formerly reported by LHCb is confirmed and observed to consist of two narrow overlapping peaks, $P_c(4440)^+$ and $P_c(4457)^+$, where the statistical significance of this two-peak interpretation is $5.4\sigma$. Proximity of the $\Sigma_c^+\bar{D}^{0}$ and $\Sigma_c^+\bar{D}^{*0}$ thresholds to the observed narrow peaks suggests that they play an important role in the dynamics of these states.
Distribution of $(J/\psi p)$ system invariant mass from the decay of $\Lambda_{b}^{0}$ candidates in the channel $\Lambda_{b}^{0} \to J/\psi p K^{-}$.
Distribution of $(J/\psi p)$ system invariant mass from the decay of $\Lambda_{b}^{0}$ candidates in the channel $\Lambda_{b}^{0} \to J/\psi p K^{-}$. $\Lambda_{b}^{0}$ candidates are selected after the suppression of the dominant $\Lambda^{*} \to p K^{-}$ contributions using the $m_{Kp} > 1.9$ GeV$/c^2$ requirement.
$\cos \theta_{P_c}$-weighted ditribution of $(J/\psi p)$ system invariant mass from the decay of $\Lambda_{b}^{0}$ candidates in the channel $\Lambda_{b}^{0} \to J/\psi p K^{-}$. Here $\theta_{P_c}$ is the helicity angle of the pentaquark exotic state (the angle between $K^-$ and $J/\psi$ in the pentaquark state rest frame).
The Standard Model of particle physics currently provides our best description of fundamental particles and their interactions. The theory predicts that the different charged leptons, the electron, muon and tau, have identical electroweak interaction strengths. Previous measurements have shown a wide range of particle decays are consistent with this principle of lepton universality. This article presents evidence for the breaking of lepton universality in beauty-quark decays, with a significance of 3.1 standard deviations, based on proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are of processes in which a beauty meson transforms into a strange meson with the emission of either an electron and a positron, or a muon and an antimuon. If confirmed by future measurements, this violation of lepton universality would imply physics beyond the Standard Model, such as a new fundamental interaction between quarks and leptons.
Likelihood function from the fit to the nonresonant $B^+$ --> $K^+\ell^+ \ell^−$ candidates profiled as a function of $R_K$.
We present an angular analysis of the $B^{+}\rightarrow K^{\ast+}(\rightarrow K_{S}^{0}\pi^{+})\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decay using 9$\,\mbox{fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the full set of CP-averaged angular observables is measured in intervals of the dimuon invariant mass squared. Local deviations from Standard Model predictions are observed, similar to those in previous LHCb analyses of the isospin-partner $B^{0}\rightarrow K^{\ast0}\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decay. The global tension is dependent on which effective couplings are considered and on the choice of theory nuisance parameters.
Results for the CP-averaged observables Fl, Afb and S3–S9. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.
Results for the optimised observables FL and P1–P'8. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.
The CP-averaged observable Fl versus q2. The first (second) error bars represent the statistical (total) uncertainties.
Forum