Malcolm John

Abstract:

Decays of the Ξ−b and Ω−b baryons to the charmless final states ph−h'−, where h(') denotes a kaon or pion, are searched for with the LHCb detector. The analysis is based on a sample of proton-proton collision data collected at center-of-mass energies √s=7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb^−1. The decay Ξ−b→pK−K− is observed with a significance of 8.7 standard deviations, and evidence at the level of 3.4 standard deviations is found for the Ξ−b→pK−π− decay. Results are reported, relative to the B−→K+K−K− normalization channel, for the products of branching fractions and b-hadron production fractions. The branching fractions of Ξ−b→pK−π− and Ξ−b→pπ−π− relative to Ξ−b→pK−K− decays are also measured.

Abstract:

The first full amplitude analysis of $B^+\to J/\psi \phi K^+$ with $J/\psi\to\mu^+\mu^-$, $\phi\to K^+K^-$ decays is performed with a data sample of 3 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}=7$ and $8$ TeV with the LHCb detector. The data cannot be described by a model that contains only excited kaon states decaying into $\phi K^+$, and four $J/\psi\phi$ structures are observed, each with significance over $5$ standard deviations. The quantum numbers of these structures are determined with significance of at least $4$ standard deviations. The lightest is best described as a $D_s^{\pm}D_s^{*\mp}$ cusp, but a resonant interpretation is also possible with mass consistent with, but width much larger than, previous measurements of the claimed $X(4140)$ state. The model includes significant contributions from a number of expected kaon excitations, including the first observation of the $K^{*}(1680)^+\to\phi K^+$ transition.

Abstract:

The first full amplitude analysis of $B^+\to J/\psi \phi K^+$ with $J/\psi\to\mu^+\mu^-$, $\phi\to K^+K^-$ decays is performed with a data sample of 3 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data collected at $\sqrt{s}=7$ and $8$ TeV with the LHCb detector. The data cannot be described by a model that contains only excited kaon states decaying into $\phi K^+$, and four $J/\psi\phi$ structures are observed, each with significance over $5$ standard deviations. The quantum numbers of these structures are determined with significance of at least $4$ standard deviations. The lightest is best described as a $D_s^{\pm}D_s^{*\mp}$ cusp, but a resonant interpretation is also possible with mass consistent with, but width much larger than, previous measurements of the claimed $X(4140)$ state.

Abstract:

The polarization of photons produced in radiative B_{s}^{0} decays is studied for the first time. The data are recorded by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb^{-1} at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. A time-dependent analysis of the B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ decay rate is conducted to determine the parameter A^{Δ}, which is related to the ratio of right- over left-handed photon polarization amplitudes in b→sγ transitions. A value of A^{Δ}=-0.98_{-0.52}^{+0.46}_{-0.20}^{+0.23} is measured. This result is consistent with the standard model prediction within 2 standard deviations.

Abstract:

+The production of tt‾, W+bb‾ and W+cc‾ is studied in the forward region of proton–proton collisions collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.98±0.02 fb −1 . The W bosons are reconstructed in the decays W→ℓν, where ℓ denotes muon or electron, while the b and c quarks are reconstructed as jets. All measured cross-sections are in agreement with next-to-leading-order Standard Model predictions.