We report on changes in absorptive, emissive and waveguiding properties of Bismuth doped yttria–aluminosilicate (Bi–Al–Y–Si) fiber under the action of high-energy electrons. In addition to the drastic rise of induced absorption in the fiber as a result of bombardment with electrons (measured by ∼800 dB m −1 in the VIS range at the maximal irradiation dose of ∼200 KGy(SiO 2 ) or 1 × 10 14 cm −2 ), we reveal prominent (∼20 fold at the maximal dose) growth of the fiber emissive potential in NIR (∼1.2 µ m) at its pumping in VIS (at 730 nm), an effect never reported before; both phenomena are inferred to arise due to strong growth of the content of Bi-related active centers, mostly of the Bi(Al) type, at irradiation. We also report for Bi–Al–Y–Si fiber notable radiation-induced changes in the photo-bleaching behavior of the centers throughout the VIS/NIR range. Another point deserving attention is that the Stokes shift of the cutoff wavelength after irradiation is insignificant (∼25 nm at the maximal dose) in this type of fiber.

Growth of solid solutions of intermediate compositions of LiNb1–xTaxO3 (lithium niobate tantalate, LNT) crystals allows us to adjust the physical parameters of the material and obtain crystals with the required properties, which is why obtaining such crystals and studying their properties taking into account anisotropy is an urgent task. Crystals of solid solutions of LNT composed of LiNb0.88Ta0.12O3 and LiNb0.93Ta0.07O3 are grown in this study. Polished samples oriented in the standard installation were prepared from these crystals. The samples are subjected to monodomenization. The polarity of the piezoactive faces is determined. By optical microscopy in transmitted light, patterns in the form of a sponge-like structure are observed on all samples of Z-cuts, patterns in the form of vertical regions parallel to the optical axis (Z axis) are observed on samples of X- and Y-cuts. Taking into account anisotropy and polarity, measurements of the mechanical characteristics of the samples at a load of 25 Gs are carried out: the microhardness of the samples according to the Vickers hardness (HV) calculated on the Mohs scale HM and the brittleness score Zx. According to the obtained data, the parameters of the viscosity S according to the Palmquist method and the degree of ionic bonds are calculated. The effect of the Nb : Ta ratio on the microhardness of Z-cuts is ambiguous, this may be due to the significant heterogeneity of such samples. In the case of X-cut samples, the results of microhardness measurements are close to each other and within the error limits of the method. In the case of Y-cuts, there is a significant difference in the values of microhardness and brittleness of Y+ and Y– sections, while the microhardness of the sample with a higher Nb content is higher.

A sample of pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb(-1) and collected by the LHCb experiment during LHC Run 2, is used to measure the ratio of the lifetime of the Xi(0)(b) baryon to that of the Lambda(0)(b) baryon, r(tau) equivalent to tau(Xi 0b)/tau(Lambda 0b). The value r(tau)(Run 2) = 1.004 +/- 0.009 +/- 0.006 is obtained, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This value is averaged with the corresponding value from Run 1 to obtain r(tau) = 1.004 +/- 0.008 +/- 0.005. Multiplying by the known value of the Lambda(0)(b) lifetime yields tau(Xi 0b) = 1.475 +/- 0.012 +/- 0.008 +/- 0.009 ps, where the last uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the Lambda(0)(b) lifetime. This measurement improves the precision of the current world average of the Xi(0)(b) lifetime by about a factor of two, and is in good agreement with the most recent theoretical predictions.

Abstract A time-dependent, flavour-tagged measurement of CP violation is performed with B 0 → D + D − and B s 0 $$ {B}_s^0 $$ → D s + D s − $$ {D}_s^{+}{D}_s^{-} $$ decays, using data collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb −1. In B 0 → D + D − decays the CP-violation parameters are measured to be S D + D − = − 0.552 ± 0.100 stat ± 0.010 syst , C D + D − = 0.128 ± 0.103 stat ± 0.010 syst . $$ {\displaystyle \begin{array}{c}{S}_{D^{+}{D}^{-}}=-0.552\pm 0.100\left(\textrm{stat}\right)\pm 0.010\left(\textrm{syst}\right),\\ {}{C}_{D^{+}{D}^{-}}=0.128\pm 0.103\left(\textrm{stat}\right)\pm 0.010\left(\textrm{syst}\right).\end{array}} $$ In B s 0 $$ {B}_s^0 $$ → D s + D s − $$ {D}_s^{+}{D}_s^{-} $$ decays the CP-violating parameter formulation in terms of ϕ s and |λ| results in ϕ s = − 0.086 ± 0.106 stat ± 0.028 syst rad , ∣ λ D s + D s − ∣ = 1.145 ± 0.126 stat ± 0.031 syst . $$ {\displaystyle \begin{array}{c}{\phi}_s=-0.086\pm 0.106\left(\textrm{stat}\right)\pm 0.028\left(\textrm{syst}\right)\textrm{rad},\\ {}\mid {\lambda}_{D_s^{+}{D}_s^{-}}\mid =1.145\pm 0.126\left(\textrm{stat}\right)\pm 0.031\left(\textrm{syst}\right).\end{array}} $$ These results represent the most precise single measurement of the CP-violation parameters in their respective channels. For the first time in a single measurement, CP symmetry is observed to be violated in B 0 → D + D − decays with a significance exceeding six standard deviations.

Measurements are presented of the cross-section for the central exclusive production of J/psi -> mu(+) mu(-) and psi(2S) -> mu(+)mu(-) processes in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV with 2016-2018 data. They are performed by requiring both muons to be in the LHCb acceptance (with pseudorapidity 2 < eta(mu +/-) < 4.5) and mesons in the rapidity range 2.0 < y < 4.5. The integrated cross-section results are sigma(J/psi ->mu+ mu-) (2.0 < y(J/psi) < 4.5, 2.0 < eta(mu +/-) < 4.5) = 400 +/- 2 +/- 5 +/- 12 pb, sigma(psi(2S)->mu+mu-)(2.0 < y(psi(2S)) < 4.5, 2.0 < eta(mu +/-) < 4.5) = 9.40 +/- 0.15 +/- 0.13 +/- 0.27 pb, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the luminosity determination. In addition, a measurement of the ratio of psi(2S) and J/psi cross-sections, at an average photon-proton centre-of-mass energy of 1 TeV, is performed, giving sigma(psi(2S))/sigma(J/psi) = 0.1763 +/- 0.0029 +/- 0.0008 +/- 0.0039, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to the knowledge of the involved branching fractions. For the first time, the dependence of the J/psi and psi(2S) cross-sections on the total transverse momentum transfer is determined in pp collisions and is found consistent with the behaviour observed in electron-proton collisions.

Traps and structural defects at the hole and electron transport interfaces of the microcrystalline absorber limits the efficiency and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to accumulation of the ionic clusters, non-radiative recombination and electrochemical corrosion. Surface engineering using self-assembled mono- layers (SAM) was considered as an effective strategy for modification of charge-collection junctions. In this work, we demonstrate the first report about complex integration of a SAM for double-side passivation in p-i-n PSCs. Integrating the novel 5-(4-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]phenyl)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (FTPATC) as a fluorinated SAM at the hole-transport interface reduced potential barriers and lattice stresses in the absorber. At the electron-transport side, FTPATC interacted with the A-site cations of the perovskite molecule (Cs, formamidinium), inducing a dipole for defect compensation. Using the passivation approach with fluorinated SAM demonstrated benefits in the gain of the output performance up to 22.2 %. The key-advantage of double-side passivation was confirmed by the enhanced stability under continuous light-soaking (1-sun equivalent, 65 degrees C, ISOS-L-2), maintaining 88 % of the initial performance over 1680 h and thermal stabilization under harsh heating at 90 degrees C.

A time-dependent, flavour-tagged measurement of CP violation is performed with B0 → D+D− and B_s^0 → D_s^+D_s^- decays, using data collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb−1. In B0 → D+D− decays the CP-violation parameters are measured to be [ S_D^+D^-=-0.552± 0.100(stat)± 0.010(syst),; C_D^+D^-=0.128± 0.103(stat)± 0.010(syst). ] In B_s^0 → D_s^+D_s^- decays the CP-violating parameter formulation in terms of ϕs and |λ| results in [ ϕ_s=-0.086± 0.106(stat)± 0.028(syst)rad,; |λ_D_s^+D_s^-| =1.145± 0.126(stat)± 0.031(syst). ] These results represent the most precise single measurement of the CP-violation parameters in their respective channels. For the first time in a single measurement, CP symmetry is observed to be violated in B0 → D+D− decays with a significance exceeding six standard deviations.

Halide perovskite-based photodiodes are promising for efficient detection across a broad spectral range. Perovskite absorber thin-films have a microcrystalline morphology, characterized by a high density of surface states and defects at inter-grain interfaces. In this work, we used dielectric-ferroelectric poly(vinylidene-fluoride-trifluoroethylene-P(VDF-TrFE) to modify the bulk interfaces and electron transport junction in p-i-n perovskite photodiodes. Our complex work demonstrates that interface engineering with P(VDF-TrFE) induces significant Fermi level pinning, reducing from 4.85 eV for intrinsic perovskite to 4.28 eV for the configuration with dielectric interlayers. The integration of P(VDF-TrFE) into the perovskite film did not affect the morphology and crystal structure, but significantly changed the charge transport and device performance. IV curve analysis and 2-diode model calculations showed enhanced shunt properties, a decreased non-ideality factor, and reduced saturation dark current. We have shown that the complex introduction of P(VDF-TrFE) into the absorbers bulk and on its surface is essential to reduce the impact of the trapping processes. For P(VDF-TrFE) containing devices, we increased the specific detectivity from 10^11 to 10^12 Jones, expanded the linear dynamic range up to 100 dB, and reduced the equivalent noise power to 10^-13 W*Hz^-0.5. Reducing non-radiative recombination contributions significantly enhanced device performance, improving rise/fall times from 6.3/10.9 us to 4.6/6.5 us. The cut-off frequency (3dB) increased from 64.8 kHz to 74.8 kHz following the introduction of the dielectric. These results provide new insights into the use of organic dielectrics and an improved understanding of trap-states and ion defect compensation for detectors based on perovskite heterostructures.

A search for hidden-charm pentaquark states decaying to a range of ΣcD¯ and Λc+D¯ final states, as well as doubly charmed pentaquark states to ΣcD and Λc+D, is made using samples of proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.7 fb−1 recorded by the LHCb detector at s=13 TeV. Since no significant signals are found, upper limits are set on the pentaquark yields relative to that of the Λc+ baryon in the Λc+→pK−π+ decay mode. The known pentaquark states are also investigated, and their signal yields are found to be consistent with zero in all cases. © 2024 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2024 CERN

The LHCb collaboration measures production of the exotic hadron χ_c1(3872) in proton-nucleus collisions for the first time. Comparison with the charmonium state ψ(2S) suggests that the exotic χ_c1(3872) experiences different dynamics in the nuclear medium than conventional hadrons, and comparison with data from proton-proton collisions indicates that the presence of the nucleus may modify χ_c1(3872) production rates. This is the first measurement of the nuclear modification factor of an exotic hadron.

The fraction of chi(c1) and chi(c2) decays in the prompt J=psi yield, F-chi c -> J=psi = sigma(chi c) -> J=psi/ sigma(J/ psi) , is measured by the LHCb detector in pPb collisions at root s(NN) = 8.16 TeV. The study covers the forward (1.5 < y* < 4.0) and sNN backward (-5.0 < y* < -2.5) rapidity regions, where y* is the J=psi rapidity in the nucleon -nucleon centerof -mass system. Forward and backward rapidity samples correspond to integrated luminosities of 13.6 +/- 0.3 and 20.8 +/- 0.5 nb(-1) , respectively. The result is presented as a function of the J=psi transverse momentum pT;J/ psi in the range 1 < pT -> J/ psi < 20 GeV=c. The F-chi c -> J=psi fraction at forward rapidity is compatible with the LHCb measurement performed in pp collisions at root s= 7 TeV, whereas the result at s backward rapidity is 2.4 sigma larger than in the forward region for 1 < pT,(J/ psi) < 3 GeV/ c. The increase of F-chi c -> J/ psi at low pT;J/ psi at backward rapidity is compatible with the suppression of the psi(2S) contribution to the prompt J/ psi yield. The lack of in -medium dissociation of chi(c) states observed in this study sets an upper limit of 180 MeV on the free energy available in these pPb collisions to dissociate or inhibit charmonium state formation.

For accurate determination of particle masses accurate knowledge of the momentum scale of the detectors is crucial. The procedure used to calibrate the momentum scale of the LHCb spectrometer is described and illustrated using the performance obtained with an integrated luminosity of $1.6~ fb^{-1}$ collected during 2016 in $pp$ running. The procedure uses large samples of $J/\psi \rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-$ and $B^+ \rightarrow J/\psi K^+$ decays and leads to a relative accuracy of $3 \times 10^{-4}$ on the momentum scale.

Abstract The Λ b 0 $$ {\Lambda}_b^0 $$ → D + D − Λ decay is observed for the first time using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.3 fb −1. Using the B 0 → D + D − K S 0 $$ {D}^{+}{D}^{-}{K}_S^0 $$ decay as a reference channel, the product of the relative production cross-section and decay branching fractions is measured to be R = σ Λ b 0 σ B 0 = B Λ b 0 → D + D − Λ B B 0 → D + D − K S 0 = 0.179 ± 0.022 ± 0.014 , $$ \mathcal{R}=\frac{\sigma_{\Lambda_b^0}}{\sigma_{B^0}}=\frac{\mathcal{B}\left({\Lambda}_b^0\to {D}^{+}{D}^{-}\Lambda \right)}{\mathcal{B}\left({B}^0\to {D}^{+}{D}^{-}{K}_{\textrm{S}}^0\right)}=0.179\pm 0.022\pm 0.014, $$ where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The known branching fraction of the reference channel, B B 0 → D + D − K S 0 $$ \mathcal{B}\left({B}^0\to {D}^{+}{D}^{-}{K}_{\textrm{S}}^0\right) $$ , and the cross-section ratio, σ Λ b 0 / σ B 0 $$ {\sigma}_{\Lambda_b^0}/{\sigma}_{B^0} $$ , previously measured by LHCb are used to derive the branching fraction of the Λ b 0 $$ {\Lambda}_b^0 $$ → D + D − Λ decay B Λ b 0 → D + D − Λ = 1.24 ± 0.15 ± 0.10 ± 0.28 ± 0.11 × 10 − 4 , $$ \mathcal{B}\left({\Lambda}_b^0\to {D}^{+}{D}^{-}\Lambda \right)=\left(1.24\pm 0.15\pm 0.10\pm 0.28\pm 0.11\right)\times {10}^{-4}, $$ where the third and fourth contributions are due to uncertainties of B B 0 → D + D − K S 0 $$ \mathcal{B}\left({B}^0\to {D}^{+}{D}^{-}{K}_{\textrm{S}}^0\right) $$ and σ Λ b 0 / σ B 0 $$ {\sigma}_{\Lambda_b^0}/{\sigma}_{B^0} $$ , respectively. Inspection of the D +Λ and D + D − invariant-mass distributions suggests a rich presence of intermediate resonances in the decay. The Λ b 0 $$ {\Lambda}_b^0 $$ → D *+ D − Λ decay is also observed for the first time as a partially reconstructed component in the D + D − Λ invariant mass spectrum.

Abstract Measurements of the branching fraction ratio $$ \mathcal{B}\left(\phi \to {\mu}^{+}{\mu}^{-}\right)/\mathcal{B}\left(\phi \to {e}^{+}{e}^{-}\right) $$ B ϕ → μ + μ − / B ϕ → e + e − with $$ {D}_s^{+}\to {\pi}^{+}\phi $$ D s + → π + ϕ and D+→ π+ϕ decays, denoted $$ {R}_{\phi \pi}^s $$ R ϕπ s and $$ {R}_{\phi \pi}^d $$ R ϕπ d , 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 yields$$ {R}_{\phi \pi}=1.022\pm 0.012\left(\textrm{stat}\right)\pm 0.048\left(\textrm{syst}\right). $$ R ϕπ = 1.022 ± 0.012 stat ± 0.048 syst . The result is compatible with previous measurements of the ϕ → ℓ+ℓ− branching fractions and predictions based on the Standard Model.

The first measurement of the Z boson production cross-section at centre-of-mass energy v s = 5.02TeV in the forward region is reported, using pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment in year 2017, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 100 +/- 2 pb-1. The production cross-section is measured for final-state muons in the pseudorapidity range 2.0 <. < 4.5 with transverse momentum pT > 20 GeV/c. The integrated cross-section is determined to be sZ.mu+mu- = 39.6 +/- 0.7(stat) +/- 0.6(syst) +/- 0.8(lumi) pb for the di-muon invariant mass in the range 60 < M mu mu < 120 GeV/c2. This result and the differential cross-section results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions at next-to-next-to-leading order in the strong coupling constant. Based on a previous LHCb measurement of the Z boson production cross-section in pPb collisions at v sNN = 5.02TeV, the nuclear modification factor RpPb is measured for the first time at this energy. The measured values are 1.2+0.5 -0.3(stat) +/- 0.1(syst) in the forward region (1.53 < y* mu < 4.03) and 3.6+1.6 -0.9(stat)+/- 0.2(syst) in the backward region (-4.97 < y* mu < -2.47), where y* mu represents the muon rapidity in the centre-of-mass frame.

Abstract A measurement of CP-violating observables associated with the interference of B0→ D0K⋆(892)0 and $$ {B}^0\to {\overline{D}}^0{K}^{\star }{(892)}^0 $$ B 0 → D ¯ 0 K ⋆ 892 0 decay amplitudes is performed in the D0→ K∓π±(π+π−), D0→ π+π−(π+π−), and D0→ K+K− final states using data collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1. CP-violating observables related to the interference of $$ {B}_s^0\to {D}^0{\overline{K}}^{\star }{(892)}^0 $$ B s 0 → D 0 K ¯ ⋆ 892 0 and $$ {B}_s^0\to {\overline{D}}^0{\overline{K}}^{\star }{(892)}^0 $$ B s 0 → D ¯ 0 K ¯ ⋆ 892 0 are also measured, but no evidence for interference is found. The B0 observables are used to constrain the parameter space of the CKM angle γ and the hadronic parameters $$ {r}_{B^0}^{DK\star } $$ r B 0 DK ⋆ and $$ {\delta}_{B^0}^{DK\star } $$ δ B 0 DK ⋆ with inputs from other measurements. In a combined analysis, these measurements allow for four solutions in the parameter space, only one of which is consistent with the world average.

A study of resonant structures in B^{+}→D^{*+}D^{-}K^{+} and B^{+}→D^{*-}D^{+}K^{+} decays is performed, using proton-proton collision data at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}. A simultaneous amplitude fit is performed to the two channels with contributions from resonances decaying to D^{*-}D^{+} and D^{*+}D^{-} states linked by C parity. This procedure allows the C parities of resonances in the D^{*±}D^{∓} mass spectra to be determined. Four charmonium or charmoniumlike states are observed decaying into D^{*±}D^{∓}: η_{c}(3945), h_{c}(4000), χ_{c1}(4010), and h_{c}(4300), with quantum numbers J^{PC} equal to 0^{-+}, 1^{+-}, 1^{++}, and 1^{+-}, respectively. At least three of these states have not been observed previously. In addition, the existence of the T_{c[over ¯]s[over ¯]0}^{*}(2870)^{0} and T_{c[over ¯]s[over ¯]1}^{*}(2900)^{0} resonances in the D^{-}K^{+} mass spectrum, already observed in the B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} decay, is confirmed in a different production channel.

A study of prompt Xi(+)(c) production in proton-lead collisions is performed with the LHCb experiment at a centerof-mass energy per nucleon pair of 8.16 TeV in 2016 in pPb and Pbp collisions with an estimated integrated luminosity of approximately 12.5 and 17.4 nb(-1), respectively. The Xi(+)(c) roduction cross section, as well as the Xi(+)(c) to Lambda(+)(c) production cross-section ratio, are measured as a function of the transverse momentum and rapidity and compared to the latest theory predictions. The forward-backward asymmetry is also measured as a function of the Xi(+)(c) ransverse momentum. The results provide strong constraints on theoretical calculation and are a unique input for hadronization studies in different collision systems.

The longitudinal polarization fraction of the D* meson is measured in B-0 -> D*(-) tau(+)nu(t) decays, where the tau lepton decays to three charged pions and a neutrino, using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 fb(-1). The D* polarization fraction F-L(D)* is measured in two q(2) regions, below and above 7 GeV2/c(4), where q(2) is defined as the squared invariant mass of the tau nu(tau) system. The F-L(D)*L values are measured to be 0.52 +/- 0.07 +/- 0.04 and 0.34 +/- 0.08 +/- 0.02 for the lower and higher q(2) regions, respectively. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The average value over the whole q(2) range is F-L(D)* = 0.41 +/- 0.06 +/- 0.03. These results are compatible with the Standard Model predictions.

A bstract Using a dataset corresponding to 9 fb − 1 of integrated luminosity collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018 in proton-proton collisions, the decay-time distributions of the decay modes $$ {B}_s^0\to J/{\psi \eta}^{\prime } $$ B s 0 → J / ψη ′ and $$ {B}_s^0\to J/\psi {\pi}^{+}{\pi}^{-} $$ B s 0 → J / ψ π + π − are studied. The decay-width difference between the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the $$ {B}_s^0 $$ B s 0 meson is measured to be ∆Γ s = 0 . 087 ± 0 . 012 ± 0 . 009 ps − 1 , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.