Evidence for an excess of B -> D(*) Tau Nu decays

Based on the full BaBar data sample, we report improved measurements of the ratios R(D(*)) = B(B -> D(*) Tau Nu)/B(B -> D(*) l Nu), where l is either e or mu. These ratios are sensitive to new physics contributions in the form of a charged Higgs boson. We measure R(D) = 0.440 +- 0.058 +- 0.042 and R(D*) = 0.332 +- 0.024 +- 0.018, which exceed the Standard Model expectations by 2.0 sigma and 2.7 sigma, respectively. Taken together, our results disagree with these expectations at the 3.4 sigma level. This excess cannot be explained by a charged Higgs boson in the type II two-Higgs-doublet model. We also report the observation of the decay B -> D Tau Nu, with a significance of 6.8 sigma.Comment: Expanded section on systematics, text corrections, improved the format of Figure 2 and included the effect of the change of the Tau polarization due to the charged Higg

Search for the decay modes D^0 → e^+e^-, D^0 → μ^+μ^-, and D^0 → e^±μ∓

We present searches for the rare decay modes D^0→e^+e^-, D^0→μ^+μ^-, and D^0→e^±μ^∓ in continuum e^+e^-→cc events recorded by the BABAR detector in a data sample that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 468  fb^(-1). These decays are highly Glashow–Iliopoulos–Maiani suppressed but may be enhanced in several extensions of the standard model. Our observed event yields are consistent with the expected backgrounds. An excess is seen in the D^0→μ^+μ^- channel, although the observed yield is consistent with an upward background fluctuation at the 5% level. Using the Feldman–Cousins method, we set the following 90% confidence level intervals on the branching fractions: B(D^0→e^+e^-)<1.7×10^(-7), B(D^0→μ^+μ^-) within [0.6,8.1]×10^(-7), and B(D^0→e^±μ^∓)<3.3×10^(-7)

Search for Invisible Decays of a Dark Photon Produced in e(+)e(-) Collisions at BABAR

We search for single-photon events in 53 fb^-1 of e+e- collision data collected with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II B-factory. We look for events with a single high-energy photon and a large missing momentum and energy, consistent with production of a spin-1 particle A' through the process e+e->gamma A', A'->invisible. Such particles, referred to as "dark photons", are motivated by theories applying a U(1) gauge symmetry to dark matter. We find no evidence for such processes and set 90% confidence level upper limits on the coupling strength of A' to e+e- in the mass range m_A'<=8 GeV. In particular, our limits exclude the values of the A' coupling suggested by the dark-photon interpretation of the muon (g-2) anomaly, as well as a broad range of parameters for the dark-sector models.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures; v2 is the version published in Physical Review Letter

Search for the decay modes D0 -> e+e-, D0 -> mu+mu-, and D0 -> e mu

We present searches for the rare decay modes D0 to e+e-, D0 to mu+mu- and D0 to e mu in continuum e+e- to cbar c events recorded by the BABAR detector in a data sample that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 468 f^-1. These decays are highly GIM suppressed but may be enhanced in several extensions of the Standard Model. Our observed event yields are consistent with the expected backgrounds. An excess is seen in the D0 to mu+mu- channel, although the observed yield is consistent with an upward background fluctuation at the 5% level. Using the Feldman-Cousins method, we set the following 90% confidence level intervals on the branching fractions: B(D0 to e+e-)<1.7 x 10^-7, B(D0 to mu+mu-) within [0.6, 8.1] x 10^-7, and B(D0 to e mu)<3.3 x 10^-7.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR

Search for B mesogenesis at BaBar

A new mechanism has been proposed to simultaneously explain the presence of dark matter and the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. This scenario predicts exotic B -meson decays into a baryon and a dark-sector antibaryon (ψ D ) with branching fractions accessible at B factories. We present a search for B→ΛψD decays using data collected by the BABAR experiment at SLAC. This reaction is identified by fully reconstructing the accompanying B meson and requiring the presence of a single Λ baryon in the remaining particles. No significant signal is observed, and bounds on the B → Λ ψ D branching fraction are derived in the range 0.13 – 5.2 × 10 − 5 for 1.0 < m ψ D < 4.2 GeV / c 2. These results set strong constraints on the parameter space allowed by the theory

Search for heavy neutral leptons using tau lepton decays at <i>BaBaR</i>

This article presents a model-independent search for an additional, mostly sterile, heavy neutral lepton (HNL), that is capable of mixing with the Standard Model τ neutrino with a mixing strength of |Uτ4|2, corresponding to the absolute square of the extended Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata matrix element. Data from the BABAR experiment, with a total integrated luminosity of 424 fb-1, are analyzed using a kinematic approach that makes no assumptions on the model behind the origins of the HNL, its lifetime or decay modes. No significant signal is found. Upper limits on |Uτ4|2 at the 95% confidence level, depend on the HNL mass hypothesis and vary from 2.31×10-2 to 5.04×10-6 (with all uncertainties considered), across the mass range 100<m4<1300 MeV/c2; the more stringent limits being placed at higher masses

Study of the reactions e plus e- ? K+K-,r0,r0,r0, e+ e-?K0SK?,r?,r0,r0, and e plus e-? K0SK?,r?,r+,r- at center-of-mass energies from threshold to 4.5 GeV using initial-state radiation

We study the processes e+e-→K+K-π0π0π0γ, KS0K±π?π0π0γ, and KS0K±π?π+π-γ in which an energetic photon is radiated from the initial state. The data were collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. About 1200, 2600, and 6000 events, respectively, are selected from a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 469 fb-1. The invariant mass of the hadronic final state defines the effective e+e- center-of-mass energy. The center-of-mass energies range from threshold to 4.5 GeV. From the mass spectra, the first ever measurements of the e+e-→K+K-π0π0π0, e+e-→KS0K±π?π0π0, and e+e-→KS0K±π?π+π- cross sections are performed. The contributions from the intermediate states that include η, φ, ρ, K∗(892), and other resonances are presented. We observe the J/ψ and ψ(2S) in most of these final states and measure the corresponding branching fractions, many of them for the first time

Measurement of the neutral D meson mixing parameters in a time-dependent amplitude analysis of the D-0 -> pi(+)pi(-)pi(0) decay

See paper for full list of authors - 11 pages, 2 figures, Submitted to Phys. Rev. DInternational audienceWe measure the $D^0 - {\bar{D}}^0$ mixing parameters using a time-dependent amplitude analysis of the decay $D^0\to\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$. The data were recorded with the BABAR detector at center-of-mass energies at and near the $\Upsilon(4S)$ resonance, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of approximately 468.1 ${\rm fb}^{-1}$. The neutral $D$ meson candidates are selected from $D^{*}(2010)^+\to D^0 \pi_s^+$ decays where the flavor at the production is identified by the charge of the low momentum pion, $\pi_s^+$. The measured mixing parameters are $x = (1.5\pm1.2\pm0.6) \%$ and $y = (0.2\pm0.9\pm0.5) \%$, where the quoted uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively

Search for a Stable Six-Quark State at BABAR

International audienceRecent investigations have suggested that the six-quark combination uuddss could be a deeply bound state (S) that has eluded detection so far, and a potential dark matter candidate. We report the first search for a stable, doubly strange six-quark state in ϒ→SΛ¯Λ¯ decays based on a sample of 90×106ϒ(2S) and 110×106ϒ(3S) decays collected by the BABAR experiment. No signal is observed, and 90% confidence level limits on the combined ϒ(2S,3S)→SΛ¯Λ¯ branching fraction in the range (1.2–1.4)×10-7 are derived for mS<2.05  GeV. These bounds set stringent limits on the existence of such exotic particles

Search for Rare or Forbidden Decays of the D^{0} Meson.

We present a search for nine lepton-number-violating and three lepton-flavor-violating neutral charm decays of the type D^{0}→h^{'-}h^{-}ℓ^{'+}ℓ^{+} and D^{0}→h^{'-}h^{+}ℓ^{'±}ℓ^{∓}, where h and h^{'} represent a K or π meson and ℓ and ℓ^{'} an electron or muon. The analysis is based on 468  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at or close to the ϒ(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. No significant signal is observed for any of the twelve modes, and we establish 90% confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions in the range (1.0-30.6)×10^{-7}. The limits are between 1 and 3 orders of magnitude more stringent than previous measurements