Professor Daniela Bortoletto

Abstract:

We present a search for a new heavy particle X produced in association with a top quark, pp̄→t(X→t̄q) or pp̄→t̄(X̄ →tq̄), where q stands for up quarks and down quarks. Such a particle may explain the recent anomalous measurements of top-quark forward-backward asymmetry. If the light-flavor quark (q) is reconstructed as a jet (j), this gives a t̄+j or t+j resonance in tt̄+jet events, a previously unexplored experimental signature. In a sample of events with exactly one lepton, missing transverse momentum and at least five jets, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.7fb-1 collected by the CDF II detector, we find the data to be consistent with the standard model. We set cross-section upper limits on the production (pp̄→Xt or X̄t̄) at 95% confidence level from 0.61 pb to 0.02 pb for X masses ranging from 200GeV/c2 to 800GeV/c2, respectively. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Using data from pp̄ collisions at √s=1.96TeV recorded by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, we present improved measurements of the masses and first measurements of natural widths of the four bottom baryon resonance states Σb+, Σb*+ and Σb-, Σb*-. These states are fully reconstructed in their decay modes to Λb0π ± where Λb0→Λc+π - with Λc+→pK -π +. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.0fb -1 collected by an online event selection based on tracks displaced from the pp̄ interaction point. © 2012 American Physical Society.