Measurements of the branching fraction ratio B(ϕ → μ+μ−) / B(ϕ → e+e−) with charm meson decays

Measurements of the branching fraction ratio B(ϕ → μ+μ−) / B(ϕ → e+e−) with Ds+→π+ϕ and D+→ π+ϕ decays, denoted Rϕπs and Rϕπd, are presented. The analysis is performed using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb−1 of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. The branching fractions are normalised with respect to the B+ → K+J/ψ(→ e+e−) and B+ → K+J/ψ(→ μ+μ−) decay modes. The combination of the results yieldsRϕπ=1.022±0.012stat±0.048syst. The result is compatible with previous measurements of the ϕ → ℓ+ℓ− branching fractions and predictions based on the Standard Model

Response functions of the 4 pi detector ORION to 10-70 MeV neutrons

The neutron detection performances of the 4 pi ORION counter were investigated with monoenergetic neutron beams delivered by the Louvain-la-Neuve facility. Two responses are supplied by such a counter: a prompt response, arising from the slowing down of neutrons within the liquid scintillator contained in the detector, and a delayed response corresponding to the subsequent capture of the neutrons by Gd nuclei: with which the detector is loaded. Two experimental methods were used, allowing one to probe the responses for different neutron energies. Despite the large size of the detector, the prompt response is observed to be very similar to that exhibited by small cells. For both responses, a reasonable overall agreement is found between the data and the predictions of Monte-Carlo simulations. The timing resolution. of the order of 3 ns, makes this detector suitable for time-of-flight methods in applications requiring a high detection efficiency while accepting a moderate energy resolution. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Measurement of the branching fraction of B0 → J/ψπ0 decays

Abstract The ratio of branching fractions between B0 → J/ψπ0 and B+ → J/ψK*+ decays is measured with proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1. The measured value is$$\frac{{\mathcal{B}}_{B^0\to J/\psi {\pi}^0}}{{\mathcal{B}}_{B^{+}\to J/\psi {K}^{\ast +}}}=\left(1.153\pm 0.053\pm 0.048\right)\times {10}^{-2},$$ B B 0 → J / ψ π 0 B B + → J / ψ K ∗ + = 1.153 ± 0.053 ± 0.048 × 10 − 2 , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The branching fraction for B0 → J/ψπ0 decays is determined using the branching fraction of the normalisation channel, resulting in$${\mathcal{B}}_{B^0\to J/\psi {\pi}^0}=\left(1.670\pm 0.077\pm 0.069\pm 0.095\right)\times {10}^{-5},$$ B B 0 → J / ψ π 0 = 1.670 ± 0.077 ± 0.069 ± 0.095 × 10 − 5 , where the last uncertainty corresponds to that of the external input. This result is consistent with the current world average value and competitive with the most precise single measurement to date.</jats:p

Study of Bc+ → χc π+ decays

A study of B-c(+) -&gt; chi(c) pi(+) decays is reported using proton-proton collision data, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb(-1). The decay B-c(+) -&gt; chi(c2)pi(+) is observed for the first time, with a significance exceeding seven standard deviations. The relative branching fraction with respect to the B-c(+) -&gt; J/psi pi(+) decay is measured to beBBc+ -&gt;chi c2 pi+/BBc+ -&gt; (J/psi pi+) = 0.37 +/- 0.06 +/- 0.02 +/- 0.01,where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the knowledge of the chi(c2) -&gt; J/psi gamma branching fraction. No significant B-c(+) -&gt; chi(+)(c1 pi) signal is observed and an upper limit for the relative branching fraction for the B-c(+) -&gt; chi(c1)pi(+) and B-c(+) -&gt; chi(c2)pi(+) decays ofBBc+ -&gt;chi c1 pi+/BBc+ -&gt; chi(c2)pi(+) &lt; 0.49is set at the 90% confidence level

Observation of the Bc+→J/ψπ+π0 {B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}{\pi}^0 decay

Abstract The first observation of the $${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}{\pi}^0$$ B c + → J / ψ π + π 0 decay is reported with high significance using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The ratio of its branching fraction relative to the $${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}$$ B c + → J / ψ π + channel is measured to be$$\frac{{\mathcal{B}}_{B_c^{+}\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}{\pi}^0}}{{\mathcal{B}}_{B_c^{+}\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}}}=2.80\pm 0.15\pm 0.11\pm 0.16,$$ B B c + → J / ψ π + π 0 B B c + → J / ψ π + = 2.80 ± 0.15 ± 0.11 ± 0.16 , where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third related to imprecise knowledge of the branching fractions for B+ → J/ψK*+ and $${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}$$ B c + → J / ψ π + decays, which are used to determine the π0 detection efficiency. The π+π0 mass spectrum is found to be consistent with the dominance of an intermediate ρ+ contribution in accordance with a model based on QCD factorisation.</jats:p

Curvature-bias corrections using a pseudomass method

Abstract Momentum measurements for very high momentum charged particles, such as muons from electroweak vector boson decays, are particularly susceptible to charge-dependent curvature biases that arise from misalignments of tracking detectors. Low momentum charged particles used in alignment procedures have limited sensitivity to coherent displacements of such detectors, and therefore are unable to fully constrain these misalignments to the precision necessary for studies of electroweak physics. Additional approaches are therefore required to understand and correct for these effects. In this paper the curvature biases present at the LHCb detector are studied using the pseudomass method in proton-proton collision data recorded at centre of mass energy √(s)=13 TeV during 2016, 2017 and 2018. The biases are determined using Z→μ + μ - decays in intervals defined by the data-taking period, magnet polarity and muon direction. Correcting for these biases, which are typically at the 10-4 GeV-1 level, improves the Z→μ + μ - mass resolution by roughly 18% and eliminates several pathological trends in the kinematic-dependence of the mean dimuon invariant mass.</jats:p