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.

The branching fraction ratios of B[over ¯]^{0}→D^{+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ} and B[over ¯]^{0}→D^{*+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ} decays are measured with respect to their muonic counterparts, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0  fb^{-1} collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV. The reconstructed final states are formed by combining D^{+} mesons with τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ} candidates, where the D^{+} is reconstructed via the D^{+}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{+} decay. The results are R(D^{+})=0.249±0.043±0.047, R(D^{*+})=0.402±0.081±0.085, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The two measurements have a correlation coefficient of -0.39 and are compatible with the standard model.

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.

An amplitude analysis of B^{-}→D^{-}D^{0}K_{S}^{0} decays is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. A resonant structure of spin-parity 0^{+} is observed in the D^{0}K_{S}^{0} invariant-mass spectrum with a significance of 5.3σ. The mass and width of the state, modeled with a Breit-Wigner line shape, are determined to be 2883±11±8  MeV/c^{2} and 87_{-47}^{+22}±17  MeV, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These properties and the quark content are consistent with those of the open-charm tetraquark candidate T_{cs0}^{*}(2870)^{0} observed previously in the D^{+}K^{-} final state of the B^{-}→D^{-}D^{+}K^{-} decay. This result confirms the existence of the T_{cs0}^{*}(2870)^{0} state in a new decay mode. The T_{cs1}^{*}(2900)^{0} state, reported in the B^{-}→D^{-}D^{+}K^{-} decay, is also searched for in the D^{0}K_{S}^{0} invariant-mass spectrum of the B^{-}→D^{-}D^{0}K_{S}^{0} decay, without finding evidence for it.

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.

This White Paper presents an overview of the current status and future perspective of QCD research, based on the community inputs and scientific conclusions from the 2022 Hot and Cold QCD Town Meeting. We present the progress made in the last decade toward a deep understanding of both the fundamental structure of the sub-atomic matter of nucleon and nucleus in cold QCD, and the hot QCD matter in heavy ion collisions. We identify key questions of QCD research and plausible paths to obtaining answers to those questions in the near future, hence defining priorities of our research over the coming decades.

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 dissociation of quarkonium states with different binding energies produced in heavy-ion collisions is a powerful probe for investigating the formation and properties of the quark-gluon plasma. The ratio of production cross-sections of ψ(2S) and J/ψ mesons times the ratio of their branching fractions into the dimuon final state is measured as a function of centrality using data collected by the LHCb detector in PbPb collisions at √(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV. The measured ratio shows no dependence on the collision centrality, and is compared to the latest theory predictions and to the recent measurements in literature.

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.