Using the entire BABAR gamma(4S) dataset, the first two-dimensional unbinned angular analysis of the semileptonic decay (B) over bar -> Dl(-)(v) over bar (l) is performed, employing hadronic reconstruction of the tag-side B meson from gamma(4S) -> B (B) over bar. Here, l denotes the light charged leptons e and mu. Anovel data-driven signal-background separation procedure with minimal dependence on simulation is developed. This procedure preserves all multidimensional correlations present in the data. The expected sin(2) theta(l) dependence of the differential decay rate in the Standard Model is demonstrated, where theta(l) is the lepton helicity angle. Including input from the latest lattice QCD calculations and previously available experimental data, the underlying form factors are extracted using both model-independent (BGL) and dependent (CLN) methods. Comparisons with lattice calculations show flavor SU(3) symmetry to be a good approximation in the B-(s) -> D-(s) sector. Using the BGL results, the CKM matrix element vertical bar V-cb vertical bar = (41.09 +/- 1.16) x 10(-3) and the Standard Model prediction of the lepton-flavor universality violation variable R(D) = 0.300 +/- 0.004, are extracted. The value of vertical bar V-cb vertical bar from (B) over bar -> Dl(-)(v) over bar (l) tends to be higher than that extracted using (B) over bar -> Dl(-)(v) over bar (l). The Standard Model R(D) calculation is at a 1.97 sigma tension with the latest HFLAV experimental average.

During 2022 data taking (Run III) PADME searched for a resonant production and a visible decay of the X17 particle into e(+)e(-). A precise knowledge within 1% uncertainty of the number of positrons was required for the observation. To that purpose, an array of 2 x 6 Timepix3 (total of 512 x 1536 pixels) hybrid pixel detectors operated in data-streaming mode with ToA resolution of 1.56 ns for every pixel was employed. Two methods for data acquisition were developed. A frame-based method, integrating the number of hits for each individual pixel for a predefined period of time served for monitoring the beam conditions and to provide a rough estimation of the beam distribution and number of positrons. A data streaming mode exploiting the nanosecond time resolution of Timepix3 detector was used for precise characterization of the transverse beam profile and the distribution of the incident positrons within each bunch of similar to 200 ns duration.

The PADME experiment at LNF-INFN employs positron -on -target -annihilation to search for new light particles. Crucial parts of the experiment are the charged particle detectors, composed of plastic scintillator bars with light transmitted by wavelength shifting fibers to silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The location of the detector - close to a turbomolecular pump, inside a vacuum tank, and exposed to 0.5 T magnetic field - has driven the design of custom modular SiPM front-end and power supply electronics. The design of the system and its performance, confirming the desired sub-ns resolution on the reconstructed particle flying times, is shown and discussed.

Abstract This paper presents a detailed characterization of the positron beam delivered by the Beam Test Facility at Laboratori Nazionali of Frascati to the PADME experiment during Run III, which took place from October to December 2022. It showcases the methodology used to measure the main beam parameters such as the position in space, the absolute momentum scale, the beam energy spread, and its intensity through a combination of data analysis and Monte Carlo simulations. The results achieved include an absolute precision in the momentum of the beam to within ~1–2 MeV/c, a relative beam energy spread below 0.25%, and an absolute precision in the intensity of the beam at the level of 2%.

We study the processes e+e- -> K+K-a degrees a degrees a degrees y, K degrees SK +/- a -/+ a degrees a degrees y, and K degrees SK +/- a -/+ a+a-y 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-a degrees a degrees a degrees, e+e- -> K degrees SK +/- a -/+ a degrees a degrees, and e+e- -> K degrees SK +/- a -/+ a+a- cross sections are performed. The contributions from the intermediate states that include eta, phi, rho, K*(892), and other resonances are presented. We observe the J=psi and psi(2S) in most of these final states and measure the corresponding branching fractions, many of them for the first time.

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 anti-baryon ($\psi_D$) with branching fractions accessible at $B$ factories. We present a search for $B \rightarrow \Lambda \psi_D$ 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 $\Lambda$ baryon in the remaining particles. No significant signal is observed, and bounds on the $B \rightarrow \Lambda \psi_D$ branching fraction are derived in the range $0.13 - 5.2\times 10^{-5}$ for $1.0 < m_{\psi_D} < 4.2$ GeV/$c^{2}$. These results set strong constraints on the parameter space allowed by the theory.

We study the processes ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\gamma}$, ${K}_{S}^{0}{K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\gamma}$, and ${K}_{S}^{0}{K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ 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 $469\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The invariant mass of the hadronic final state defines the effective ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ 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 ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}_{S}^{0}{K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, and ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}_{S}^{0}{K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ cross sections are performed. The contributions from the intermediate states that include $\ensuremath{\eta}$, $\ensuremath{\phi}$, $\ensuremath{\rho}$, ${K}^{*}(892)$, and other resonances are presented. We observe the $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ and $\ensuremath{\psi}(2S)$ in most of these final states and measure the corresponding branching fractions, many of them for the first time.

Using the entire BaBar Υ(4S) data set, the first two-dimensional unbinned angular analysis of the semileptonic decay B→ D ℓ^- ν_ℓ is performed, employing hadronic reconstruction of the tag-side B meson from Υ(4S)→ BB. Here, ℓ denotes the light charged leptons e and μ. A novel data-driven signal-background separation procedure with minimal dependence on simulation is developed. This procedure preserves all multi-dimensional correlations present in the data. The expected sin^2θ_ℓ dependence of the differential decay rate in the Standard Model is demonstrated, where θ_ℓ is the lepton helicity angle. Including input from the latest lattice QCD calculations and previously available experimental data, the underlying form factors are extracted using both model-independent (BGL) and dependent (CLN) methods. Comparisons with lattice calculations show flavor SU(3) symmetry to be a good approximation in the B_(s)→ D_(s) sector. Using the BGL results, the CKM matrix element |V_cb|=(41.09± 1.16)× 10^-3 and the Standard Model prediction of the lepton-flavor universality violation variable ℛ(D)=0.300± 0.004, are extracted. The value of |V_cb| from B→ D ℓ^- ν_ℓ tends to be higher than that extracted using B→ D ℓ^- ν_ℓ. The Standard Model ℛ(D) calculation is at a 1.97σ tension with the latest HFLAV experimental average.

A dedicated measurement of additional radiation in e+e- -> mu+mu- gamma and e+e- -> pi+ pi- gamma initial-state radiation events is presented using the full BABAR data sample. For the first time results are presented at next -to-and next-to-next-to-leading order, with one and two additional photons, respectively, for radiation from the initial and final states. Comparison with predictions from PHOKHARA and AFKQED Monte Carlo generators is performed, revealing discrepancies in the one-photon rates and angular distributions for the former. This disagreement has a negligible effect on the BABAR measurement of the e+e- -> pi+ pi-(gamma) cross section, but could affect other measurements significantly. This study sheds a new light on the longstanding discrepancy in this channel that affects the theoretical prediction of hadronic vacuum polarization contributions to the muon magnetic moment anomaly.

A new dark sector antibaryon, denoted ψ_{D}, could be produced in decays of B mesons. This Letter presents a search for B^{+}→ψ_{D}+p (and the charge conjugate) decays in e^{+}e^{-} annihilations at 10.58 GeV, using data collected in the BABAR experiment. Data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 398  fb^{-1} are analyzed. No evidence for a signal is observed. Branching fraction upper limits in the range from 10^{-7}-10^{-5} are obtained at 90% confidence level for masses of 1.0<m_{ψ_{D}}<4.3  GeV/c^{2}. The result is also reinterpreted to provide the first limits on a supersymmetric model with R-parity violation and a light neutralino.

A measurement of the inclusive cross section of in-flight electron-positron annihilation to photons, e+e- -> gamma gamma, is presented using the PADME detector at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati. A beam of 430 MeV positrons, corresponding to a center-of-mass energy of 20 MeV, strikes a thin diamond target. The two photons produced in the interaction are detected by an electromagnetic calorimeter made of BGO crystals. The measurement is the first based on direct detection of the photon pair and one of the most precise for positron energies below 1 GeV. It represents an intermediate step in the ultimate PADME goal of searching for dark sector particles and mediators weakly coupled to photons and electrons, with masses ranging from 1 to 20 MeV. The final value, sigma e+e-->gamma gamma = (1.977 +/- 0.018(stat) +/- 0.119(syst)) mb, agrees with next-to-leading-order QED predictions within the 6% experimental uncertainty.

A dedicated measurement of additional radiation in $e^+e^-\to\mu^+\mu^-\gamma$ and $e^+e^-\to\pi^+\pi^-\gamma$ initial-state-radiation events is presented using the full BABAR data sample. For the first time results are presented at next-to- and next-to-next-to-leading order, with one and two additional photons, respectively, for radiation from the initial and final states. Comparison with predictions from Phokhara and AfkQed Monte Carlo generators is performed, revealing discrepancies in the one-photon rates and angular distributions for the former. This disagreement has a negligible effect on the BABAR measurement of the $e^+e^-\to\pi^+\pi^-(\gamma)$ cross section, but could affect other measurements significantly. This study sheds a new light on the longstanding discrepancy in this channel that affects the theoretical prediction of hadronic vacuum polarization contributions to the muon magnetic moment anomaly.

We present a new technique, "tau polarimetry," for measuring the longitudinal beam polarization present in an e(+)e(-) collider through the analysis of e(+)e(-) -> tau(+)tau(-) events. By exploiting the sensitivity of tau decay kinematics to the longitudinal polarization of the beams, we demonstrate that the longitudinal polarization can be measured with a 3 per mil systematic uncertainty at the interaction point using a technique that is independent of spin and beam transport modeling. Using 424.2 +/- 1.8 fb(-1) of BABAR data at root s = 10.58 GeV, the average longitudinal polarization of the PEP-II e(+)e(-) collider has been measured to be < P > = 0.0035 +/- 0.0024(stat) +/- 0.0029(sys). The systematic uncertainty studies are described in detail, which can serve as a guide for future applications of tau polarimetry. A proposed e(-) beam longitudinal polarization upgrade to the SuperKEKB e(+)e(-) collider would benefit from this technique.

We present a new technique, ``tau polarimetry,'' for measuring the longitudinal beam polarization present in an ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider through the analysis of ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ events. By exploiting the sensitivity of $\ensuremath{\tau}$ decay kinematics to the longitudinal polarization of the beams, we demonstrate that the longitudinal polarization can be measured with a 3 per mil systematic uncertainty at the interaction point using a technique that is independent of spin and beam transport modeling. Using $424.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.8\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of BABAR data at $\sqrt{s}=10.58\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, the average longitudinal polarization of the PEP-II ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider has been measured to be $⟨P⟩=0.0035\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002{4}_{\mathrm{stat}}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002{9}_{\mathrm{sys}}$. The systematic uncertainty studies are described in detail, which can serve as a guide for future applications of tau polarimetry. A proposed ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam longitudinal polarization upgrade to the SuperKEKB ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider would benefit from this technique.

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 tau neutrino with a mixing strength of jU tau 4j2, 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 jU tau 4j2 at the 95% confidence level, depend on the HNL mass hypothesis and vary from 2.31 x 10-2 to 5.04 x 10-6 (with all uncertainties considered), across the mass range 100 < m4 < 1300 MeV/c2; the more stringent limits being placed at higher masses.

Abstract The PADME experiment at the DAΦNE Beam-Test Facility (BTF) of the INFN Laboratory of Frascati is designed to search for invisible decays of dark sector particles produced in electron-positron annihilation events with a positron beam and a thin fixed target, by measuring the missing mass of single-photon final states. The presence of backgrounds originating from beam halo particles can significantly reduce the sensitivity of the experiment. To thoroughly understand the origin of the beam background contribution, a detailed Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulation has been developed, containing a full description of the detector together with the beam line and its optical elements. This simulation allows the full interactions of each particle to be described, both during beam line transport and during detection, a possibility which represents an innovative way to obtain reliable background predictions.

We report on the first search for electron-muon lepton flavor violation (LFV) in the decay of a b quark and b antiquark bound state. We look for the LFV decay ϒ(3S)→e^{±}μ^{∓} in a sample of 118 million ϒ(3S) mesons from 27 fb^{-1} of data collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II e^{+}e^{-} collider operating with a 10.36 GeV center-of-mass energy. No evidence for a signal is found, and we set a limit on the branching fraction B[ϒ(3S)→e^{±}μ^{∓}]<3.6×10^{-7} at 90% C. L. This result can be interpreted as a limit Λ_{NP}/g_{NP}^{2}>80 TeV on the energy scale Λ_{NP} divided by the coupling-squared g_{NP}^{2} of relevant new physics (NP).

The PADME experiment is designed to search for a hypothetical dark photon A' produced in positron-electron annihilation using a bunched positron beam at the Beam Test Facility of the INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati. The expected sensitivity to the A' -photon mixing parameter ϵ is 10-3, for A' mass ≤ 23.5 MeV/c 2 after collecting ∼ 1013 positrons-on-target. This paper presents the PADME detector status after commissioning in July 2019. In addition, the software algorithms employed to reconstruct physics objects, such as photons and charged particles, and the calibration procedures adopted are illustrated in detail. The results show that the experimental apparatus reaches the design performance, and is able to identify and measure standard electromagnetic processes, such as positron bremsstrahlung and electron-positron annihilation into two photons.

Axionlike particles (ALPs) are predicted in many extensions of the standard model, and their masses can naturally be well below the electroweak scale. In the presence of couplings to electroweak bosons, these particles could be emitted in flavor-changing B meson decays. We report herein a search for an ALP, a, in the reaction B^{±}→K^{±}a, a→γγ using data collected by the BABAR experiment at SLAC. No significant signal is observed, and 90% confidence level upper limits on the ALP coupling to electroweak bosons are derived as a function of ALP mass, improving current constraints by several orders of magnitude in the range 0.175  GeV<m_{a}<4.78  GeV.

The search for dark matter at accelerators has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Among the theoretical scenarios that can be studied, an attractive one is postulating a new $U_D(1)$ gauge symmetry mediated by a massive boson often named dark photon $A'$. The $A'$ could be the bridge between the Standard Model (SM) and a hypothetical Dark Sector (DM), having a small coupling $\epsilon$ with SM particles. PADME (Positron Annihilation to Dark Matter Experiment) is the first fixed target experiment searching for the $A'$ produced in association with a photon in $e^+e^-$ annihilations. It exploits the missing mass technique and does not make any assumption on the decay mode of the $A'$. PADME is located at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) of INFN and it is designed to be sensitive to the production of a dark photon with mass $M_{A'} \le 23.7 \ \rm{MeV}$. Its setup is also ideal to investigate other scenarios of low mass dark matter: axion-like particles (ALPs), dark Higgs, and the $X_{17}$ boson claimed to explain anomalies observed recently in a nuclear physics experiment.