Search for the Neutral Current Top Quark Decay t-->Zc Using the Ratio of Z-Boson + 4 Jets to W-Boson + 4 Jets Production

We have used the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF II) to search for the flavor-changing neutral-current (FCNC) top quark decay {t\goes Zc} using a technique employing ratios of $W$ and $Z$ production, measured in \ppbar data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.52 $fb^{-1}$. The analysis uses a comparison of two decay chains, {p\bar{p}\goes t\bar{t}\goes WbWb\goes\ell\nu bjjb} and {p\bar{p}\goes t\bar{t}\goes ZcWb\goes\ell\ell cjjb}, to cancel systematic uncertainties in acceptance, efficiency, and luminosity. We validate the modeling of acceptance and efficiency for lepton identification over the multi-year dataset using another ratio of $W$ and $Z$ production, in this case the observed ratio of inclusive production of $W$ to $Z$ bosons. To improve the discrimination against standard model backgrounds to top quark decays, we calculate the top quark mass for each event with two leptons and four jets assuming it is a $t\bar{t}$ event with one of the top quarks decaying to $Zc$. For additional background discrimination we require at least one jet to be identified as originating from a $b$-quark. No significant signal is found and we set an upper limit on the FCNC branching ratio Br({t\goes Zc}) using a likelihood constructed from the ${\ell\ell cjjb}$ top quark mass distribution and the number of ${\ell\nu bjjb}$ events. Limits are set as a function of the helicity of the $Z$ boson produced in the FCNC decay. For 100% longitudinally polarized $Z$ bosons we find limits of 8.3% and 9.3% (95% C.L.) depending on the assumptions regarding the theoretical top quark pair production cross-section

First Measurement of the \lowercase{\ttbar} Differential Cross Section \lowercase{d\sigma/d}M_{\lowercase{{t\overline{t}}}} in \lowercase{\ppbar} Collisions at \sqrt{\lowercase{s}}=1.96 TeV

8 pages, 1 figureWe present a measurement of the \ttbar differential cross section with respect to the \ttbar invariant mass, dSigma/dMttbar, in \ppbar collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV using an integrated luminosity of 2.7\invfb collected by the CDF II experiment. The \ttbar invariant mass spectrum is sensitive to a variety of exotic particles decaying into \ttbar pairs. The result is consistent with the standard model expectation, as modeled by \texttt{PYTHIA} with \texttt{CTEQ5L} parton distribution functions.We present a measurement of the tt̅ differential cross section with respect to the tt̅ invariant mass, dσ/dMtt̅ , in pp̅ collisions at √s=1.96  TeV using an integrated luminosity of 2.7  fb-1 collected by the CDF II experiment. The tt̅ invariant mass spectrum is sensitive to a variety of exotic particles decaying into tt̅ pairs. The result is consistent with the standard model expectation, as modeled by PYTHIA with CTEQ5L parton distribution functions.Peer reviewe