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.
The inclusive $b \bar{b}$- and $c \bar{c}$-dijet production cross-sections in the forward region of $pp$ collisions are measured using a data sample collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 2016. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.6 fb$^{-1}$. Differential cross-sections are measured as a function of the transverse momentum and of the pseudorapidity of the leading jet, of the rapidity difference between the jets, and of the dijet invariant mass. A fiducial region for the measurement is defined by requiring that the two jets originating from the two $b$ or $c$ quarks are emitted with transverse momentum greater than 20 GeV$/c$, pseudorapidity in the range $2.2 < \eta < 4.2$, and with a difference in the azimuthal angle between the two jets greater than 1.5. The integrated $b \bar{b}$-dijet cross-section is measured to be $53.0 \pm 9.7$ nb, and the total $c \bar{c}$-dijet cross-section is measured to be $73 \pm 16$ nb. The ratio between $c \bar{c}$- and $b \bar{b}$-dijet cross-sections is also measured and found to be $1.37 \pm 0.27$. The results are in agreement with theoretical predictions at next-to-leading order.
The total $b \bar{b}$-dijet and $c \bar{c}$-dijet cross-sections and their ratio in the fiducial region, compared with the NLO predictions. The first uncertainty is the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty and the second is the uncertainty from the luminosity. For the predictions, the first uncertainty corresponds to the scale uncertainty, the second to the PDF uncertainty.
Numerical results of $b \bar{b}$- and $c \bar{c}$-dijet cross-sections, $c \bar{c}$/$b \bar{b}$ dijet cross-section ratios and their total uncertainties as a function of the leading jet $\eta$ (pseudorapidity).
Numerical results of $b \bar{b}$- and $c \bar{c}$-dijet cross-sections, $c \bar{c}$/$b \bar{b}$ dijet cross-section ratios and their total uncertainties as a function of $\Delta y^*$.
Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $2.0\,fb^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb experiment, the production of the $\eta_c(1S)$ state in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13 \text{ TeV}$ is studied in the rapidity range ${2.0 < y < 4.5}$ and in the transverse momentum range ${6.5 < p_{T} < 14.0\text{ GeV}}$. The cross-section for prompt production of $\eta_c(1S)$ mesons relative to that of the $J/\psi$ meson is measured using the ${p\bar{p}}$ decay mode and is found to be ${\sigma_{\eta_c(1S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi} = 1.69 \pm 0.15 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.18}$. The quoted uncertainties are, in order, statistical, systematic and due to uncertainties on the branching fractions of the ${J/\psi\to p \bar{p}}$ and ${\eta_c\to p \bar{p}}$ decays. The prompt $\eta_c(1S)$ production cross-section is determined to be ${\sigma_{\eta_c(1S)} = 1.26 \pm 0.11\pm 0.08 \pm 0.14 \,\mu b}$, where the last uncertainty includes that on the ${J/\psi}$ meson cross-section. The ratio of the branching fractions of $b$-hadron decays to the $\eta_c(1S)$ and ${J/\psi}$ states is measured to be ${\mathcal{B}_{b\to\eta_c X}/\mathcal{B}_{b\to J/\psi X} = 0.48 \pm 0.03 \pm 0.03 \pm 0.05}$, where the last uncertainty is due to those on the branching fractions of the ${J/\psi \to p \bar{p}}$ and ${\eta_c\to p \bar{p}}$ decays. The difference between the ${J/\psi}$ and $\eta_c(1S)$ masses is also determined to be ${113.0 \pm 0.7 \pm 0.1\text{ MeV}}$, which is the most precise single measurement of this quantity to date.
Relative $\eta_c$ to $J/\psi$ differential production cross-sections for prompt production. The uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the ${\eta_c\to p\bar{p}}$ and ${J/\psi\to p\bar{p}}$ branching fractions, respectively.
Differential production cross-sections of $\eta_c$ for prompt production. The uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the $\eta_c\to p \bar{p}$ and $J/\psi\to p \bar{p}$ branching fractions and $J/\psi$ production cross-section.
Relative $\eta_c$ to $J/\psi$ differential production cross-sections for production in $b$-hadron inclusive decays. The uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the ${\eta_c\to p\bar{p}}$ and ${J/\psi\to p\bar{p}}$ branching fractions, respectively.
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 production fractions of $\overline{B}_s^0$ and $\Lambda_b^0$ hadrons, normalized to the sum of $B^-$ and $\overline{B}^0$ fractions, are measured in 13 TeV pp collisions using data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.67/fb. These ratios, averaged over the $b$-hadron transverse momenta from 4 to 25 GeV and pseudorapidity from 2 to 5, are $0.122 \pm 0.006$ for $\overline{B}_s^0$, and $0.259 \pm 0.018$ for $\Lambda_b^0$, where the uncertainties arise from both statistical and systematic sources. The $\Lambda_b^0$ ratio depends strongly on transverse momentum, while the $\overline{B}_s^0$ ratio shows a mild dependence. Neither ratio shows variations with pseudorapidity. The measurements are made using semileptonic decays to minimize theoretical uncertainties. In addition, the ratio of $D^+$ to $D^0$ mesons produced in the sum of $\overline{B}^0$ and $B^-$ semileptonic decays is determined as $0.359\pm0.006\pm 0.009$, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic.
Values of $f_s/(f_u+f_d)$ and $f_{\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0}/(f_u+f_d)$ in each $p_\mathrm{T}(H_b)$ bin.
The production of $B^+$, $B^0$ and $\Lambda_b^0$ hadrons is studied in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=8.16\,{\rm TeV}$ recorded with the LHCb detector at the LHC. The measurement uses a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $12.2\pm0.3\,\mathrm{nb}^{-1}$ for the case where the proton beam is projected into the LHCb detector (corresponding to measuring hadron production at positive rapidity) and $18.6\pm0.5\,\mathrm{nb}^{-1}$ for the lead beam projected into the LHCb detector (corresponding to measuring hadron production at negative rapidity). Nuclear effects are probed through double-differential cross-sections, forward-to-backward cross-section ratios and nuclear modification factors of the beauty hadrons. The double-differential cross-sections are measured as a function of the beauty-hadron transverse momentum and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass frame. Forward-to-backward cross-section ratios and nuclear modification factors indicate a significant nuclear suppression at positive rapidity. The ratio of $\Lambda_b^0$ over $B^0$ production cross-sections is reported and is consistent with the corresponding measurement in $pp$~collisions.
Differential cross-section of $B^+$ production in bins of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and $y$, $\frac{\mathrm{d}^2\sigma}{\mathrm{d}p_\mathrm{T}\,\mathrm{d}y}$ ($\mu\mathrm{b}/[\mathrm{GeV}/c]$).
Differential cross-section of $B^0$ production in bins of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and $y$, $\frac{\mathrm{d}^2\sigma}{\mathrm{d}p_\mathrm{T}\,\mathrm{d}y}$ ($\mu\mathrm{b}/[\mathrm{GeV}/c]$).
Differential cross-section of $\mathit{\Lambda}_b^0$ production in bins of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and $y$, $\frac{\mathrm{d}^2\sigma}{\mathrm{d}p_\mathrm{T}\,\mathrm{d}y}$ ($\mu\mathrm{b}/[\mathrm{GeV}/c]$).
The production of $\Upsilon (nS)$ mesons ($n=1,2,3$) in $p$Pb and Pb$p$ collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=8.16$ TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 31.8 nb$^{-1}$. The $\Upsilon (nS)$ mesons are reconstructed through their decays into two opposite-sign muons. The measurements comprise the differential production cross-sections of the $\Upsilon (1S)$ and $\Upsilon (2S)$ states, their forward-to-backward ratios and nuclear modification factors, performed as a function of the transverse momentum $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass frame $y^*$ of the $\Upsilon (nS)$ states, in the kinematic range $p_{\rm{T}}<25$ GeV/$c$ and $1.5<y^*<4.0$ ($-5.0<y^*<-2.5$) for $p$Pb (Pb$p$) collisions. In addition, production cross-sections for $\Upsilon (3S)$ are measured integrated over phase space and the production ratios between all three $\Upsilon (nS)$ states are determined. The measurements are compared to theoretical predictions and suppressions for quarkonium in $p$Pb collisions are observed.
$\Upsilon(1S)$ production cross-section in $p$Pb, as a function of $p_{T}$ and $y*$. The uncertainty is the sum in quadrature of the statistical and systematic components.
$\Upsilon(1S)$ production cross-section in Pb$p$, as a function of $p_{T}$ and $y^*$. The uncertainty is the sum in quadrature of the statistical and systematic components.
$\Upsilon(1S)$ production cross-section in $p$Pb and Pb$p$, as a function of $p_{T}$. The uncertainty is the sum in quadrature of the statistical and systematic components.
The cross-section for prompt antiproton production in collisions of protons with an energy of $6.5$ TeV incident on helium nuclei at rest is measured with the LHCb experiment from a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $0.5\,nb^{-1}$. The target is provided by injecting helium gas into the LHC beam line at the LHCb interaction point. The reported results, covering antiproton momenta between $12$ and $110\,\mathrm{GeV/}c$, represent the first direct determination of the antiproton production cross-section in ${\rm p He}$ collisions, and impact the interpretation of recent results on antiproton cosmic rays from space-borne experiments.
Double-differential cross-section in antiproton momentum and transverse momentum for antiproton production in collisions of 6.5 TeV protons on He nuclei at rest. The antiproton momentum is defined in the laboratory frame. Results are averaged over the given kinematic range of each bin. The uncertainty is split into an uncertainty delta_uncorr, uncorrelated among the kinematic bins, and an uncertainty delta_corr, fully correlated among the kinematic bins. For both uncertainties, the systematic uncertainty, dominant for most bins, and the statistical uncertainty, are added in quadrature. The average value within each bin is also reported for the antiproton momentum, the transverse momentum, and x-Feynman xF=2 p_Z*/SQRT(S), where p_Z* is the longitudinal antiproton momentum in the center-of-mass system and SQRT(S) the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. These average values are obtained from simulation (based on EPOS LHC), to avoid biases from reconstruction effects and given the good agreement with data observed for the simulated kinematic spectra.
Double-differential cross-section in antiproton momentum and transverse momentum for antiproton production in collisions of 6.5 TeV protons on He nuclei at rest. The antiproton momentum is defined in the laboratory frame. Results are averaged over the given kinematic range of each bin. The uncertainty is split into an uncertainty delta_uncorr, uncorrelated among the kinematic bins, and an uncertainty delta_corr, fully correlated among the kinematic bins. For both uncertainties, the systematic uncertainty, dominant for most bins, and the statistical uncertainty, are added in quadrature. The average value within each bin is also reported for the antiproton momentum, the transverse momentum, and x-Feynman xF=2 p_Z*/SQRT(S), where p_Z* is the longitudinal antiproton momentum in the center-of-mass system and SQRT(S) the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. These average values are obtained from simulation (based on EPOS LHC), to avoid biases from reconstruction effects and given the good agreement with data observed for the simulated kinematic spectra.
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+)).
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