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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of the dependence of the hadron production fraction ratio $f_\mathrm{s} / f_\mathrm{u}$ and $f_\mathrm{d} / f_ \mathrm{u}$ on B meson kinematic variables in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The dependence of the ratio between the B$_\mathrm{s}^0$ and B$^+$ hadron production fractions, $f_\mathrm{s} / f_\mathrm{u}$, on the transverse momentum ($p_\mathrm{T}$) and rapidity of the B mesons is studied using the decay channels B$_\mathrm{s}^0$$\to$ J$/\psi\,\phi$ and B$^+$$\to$ J$/\psi$ K$^+$. The analysis uses a data sample of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment in 2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 61.6 fb$^{-1}$. The $f_\mathrm{s} / f_\mathrm{u}$ ratio is observed to depend on the B $p_\mathrm{T}$ and to be consistent with becoming asymptotically constant at large $p_\mathrm{T}$. No rapidity dependence is observed. The ratio of the B$^0$ to B$^+$ hadron production fractions, $f_\mathrm{d} / f_\mathrm{u}$, measured using the B$^0$$\to$ J$/\psi$ K$^{*0}$ decay channel, is found to be consistent with unity and independent of $p_\mathrm{T}$ and rapidity, as expected from isospin invariance.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of differential distributions of B → D*$\ell\bar{v}_{\ell}$ and implications on | V cb |

We present a measurement of the differential shapes of exclusive B → D*$\ell\bar{v}_{\ell}$ (B = B - , $\bar{B}$ 0 and $\ell$ = e, μ) decays with hadronic tag-side reconstruction for the full 711 fb -1 Belle dataset. We extract the Caprini-Lellouch-Neubert (CLN) and Boyd-Grinstein-Lebed (BGL) form factor parameters and use an external input for the absolute branching fractions to determine the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element and find |V cb | CLN = (40.2 ± 0.9) x 10 -3 and |V cb | BGL = (40.7 ± 1.0) x 10 -3 with the zero-recoil lattice QCD point $\mathcal{F}$(1) = 0.906 ± 0.013. We also perform a study of the impact of beyond zero-recoil lattice QCD calculations on the |V cb | determinations. Additionally, we present the lepton-flavor universality ratio R eμ = $\mathcal{B}$(B → D*e$\bar{v}$ e )/$\mathcal{B}$(B → D*μ$\bar{v}$ μ ) = 0.993 ± 0.023 ± 0.023, the electron and muon forwardbackward asymmetry and their difference ΔA FB = 0.028 ± 0.028 ± 0.008, and the electron and muon D* longitudinal polarization fraction and their difference ΔF$^{D*}_L$ = 0.030 ± 0.025 ± 0.007. The uncertainties quoted correspond to the statistical and systematic uncertainties, respectively.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Direct C P violation in charmless three-body decays of B ± mesons

Measurements of CP asymmetries in charmless three-body decays of B ± mesons are reported using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.9 fb –1 . The previously observed CP asymmetry in B ± →π ± ⁢K + K – decays is confirmed, and CP asymmetries are observed with a significance of more than five standard deviations in the B ± →π ± π + ⁢π – and B ± →K ± ⁢K + ⁢K – decays, while the CP asymmetry of B ± →K ± ⁢π + ⁢π – decays is confirmed to be compatible with zero. The distributions of these asymmetries are also studied as a function of the three-body phase space and suggest contributions from rescattering and resonance interference processes. An indication of the presence of the decays B ± →π ± ⁢χ c⁢0 ⁡(1⁢P) in both B ± →π ± π + ⁢π – and B ± →π ± ⁢K + ⁢K – decays is observed, as is CP violation involving these amplitudes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Precision measurement of the Ξ b − baryon lifetime

A sample of p p collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.5 fb − 1 and collected by the LHCb experiment during LHC Run 2, is used to measure the ratio of the lifetime of the Ξ b − baryon to that of the Λ b 0 baryon, r τ ≡ τ Ξ b − / τ Λ b 0 . The value r τ = 1.076 ± 0.013 ± 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 τ Run 1 , 2 = 1.078 ± 0.012 ± 0.007 . Multiplying by the world-average value of the Λ b 0 lifetime yields τ Ξ b − Run 1 , 2 = 1.578 ± 0.018 ± 0.010 ± 0.011 ps , where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the limited knowledge of the Λ b 0 lifetime. This measurement improves the precision of the current world average of the Ξ b − lifetime by about a factor of 2, and is in good agreement with the most recent theoretical predictions. © 2024 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2024 CERN

Aaij, R. (ORCID:0000000305331952)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Search for a light charged Higgs boson in $t \rightarrow H^{\pm } b$ decays, with $H^{\pm } \rightarrow cs$, in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}={13}\hbox { TeV}$ with the ATLAS detector

A search for a light charged Higgs boson produced in decays of the top quark, $t \rightarrow H^{\pm } b$ with $H^{\pm } \rightarrow cs$, is presented. This search targets the production of top-quark pairs $t\bar{t} \rightarrow WbH^{\pm } b$, with $W \rightarrow ℓv(ℓ = e, μ)$, resulting in a lepton-plus-jets final state characterised by an isolated electron or muon and at least four jets. The search exploits b-quark and c-quark identification techniques as well as multivariate methods to suppress the dominant $t\bar{t}$ background. The data analysed correspond to 140 fb -1 of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC between 2015 and 2018. Observed (expected) 95% confidence-level upper limits on the branching fraction $\mathscr{B}(t \rightarrow H^{\pm } b)$, assuming $\mathscr{B}(t \rightarrow Wb) + \mathscr{B}(t \rightarrow H^{\pm }(\rightarrow cs)b$, are set between 0.066% (0.077%) and 3.6% (2.3%) for a charged Higgs boson with a mass between 60 and 168 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Chronology of alkali anorthosite 14304 clast “b” records basin forming impact at ~3.95 Ga

Alkali-suite rocks constitute one of three major suites of lunar crustal rocks. As such, constraining their formation timescales and petrogenesis is important for understanding the earliest magmatic history of the Moon. However, the magmatic history of alkali-suite rocks is partly obscured by superimposed effects of major basin-forming impact events on the lunar nearside. Consequently, unambiguous crystallization ages of samples from this suite of rocks have not been determined. Here, the aim of this study is to better understand the petrogenetic history of the alkali-suite and the potential superimposed effects of impact metamorphism by determining Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages for an alkali anorthosite clast from Apollo 14 lithic breccia 14304 termed clast “b”. The new chronologic measurements of clast “b” yield concordant Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages of 3947 ± 13 Ma, 3975 ± 34 Ma, and 3937 ± 37 Ma respectively, resulting in a weighted mean age of 3949 ± 11 Ma. This age is not interpreted to date an igneous event related to production of the lunar highlands crust and instead the chronology and petrography of clast “b” are most readily explained by an impact event at ~3.95 Ga that caused near-complete isotopic re-equilibration of the Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar chronometers. The weighted mean age of 3949 ± 11 Ma of clast “b” is several hundred Ma younger than 4.3–4.4 Ga ages typically determined for samples of other crustal rock suites but in very good agreement with independent estimates for the formation of Imbrium basin ejecta and other marginally older impact events which are thought to have been sampled at the Apollo 14 landing site. Thus, although petrologic and geochemical examination suggest that clast “b” is a pristine igneous clast, its age likely records an impact event at the Apollo 14 landing site. Whereas the various determined ages of clast “b” do not reflect the timescales of alkali-suite magmatism, the relatively low initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of clast “b” indicate that its protolith evolved with very low 147 Sm/ 144 Nd and 87 Rb/ 86 Sr that are distinct from estimates for urKREEP but similar to that of lunar plagioclase. This implies that the igneous protolith of clast “b” derived from a plagioclase-dominated KREEP-rich source that must have formed after the formation of the urKREEP source at ~4.35 Ga but well before the impact event recorded by clast “b” at ~3.95 Ga.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Observation of the ${B}_s^0 $ → D*±D∓ decay

A search for the B 0 → D *± D ∓ decay is performed using proton-proton collision data at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb -1 . The decay is observed with a high significance and its branching fraction relative to the B 0 → D *± D ∓ decay is measured to be $\frac{\mathrm{\mathcal{B}}\left({B}_s^0\to {D}^{\ast \pm }{D}^{\mp}\right)}{\mathrm{\mathcal{B}}\left({B}^0\to {D}^{\ast \pm }{D}^{\mp}\right)}=0.137\pm 0.017\pm 0.002\pm 0.006$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third is due to the uncertainty on the ratio of the $B_{s}^{0}$ and $B^{0}$ hadronisation fractions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of $t\overline{t}$ production in association with additional b -jets in the eμ final state in proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

This paper presents measurements of top-antitop quark pair ($t\overline{t}$) production in association with additional b-jets. The analysis utilises 140 fb -1 of proton–proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Fiducial cross-sections are extracted in a final state featuring one electron and one muon, with at least three or four b-jets. Results are presented at the particle level for both integrated cross-sections and normalised differential cross-sections, as functions of global event properties, jet kinematics, and b-jet pair properties. Observable quantities characterising b-jets originating from the top quark decay and additional b-jets are also measured at the particle level, after correcting for detector effects. The measured integrated fiducial cross sections are consistent with $t\overline{t}$$b\overline{b}$ predictions from various next-to-leading-order matrix element calculations matched to a parton shower within the uncertainties of the predictions. State of-the-art theoretical predictions are compared with the differential measurements; none of them simultaneously describes all observables. Differences between any two predictions are smaller than the measurement uncertainties for most observables.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Relations between b → cτν decay modes in scalar models

As a consequence of the Ward identity for hadronic matrix elements, we find relations between the differential decay rates of semileptonic decay modes with the underlying quark-level transition b → cτν, which are valid in scalar models. The decay-mode dependent scalar form factor is the only necessary theoretical ingredient for the relations. Otherwise, they combine measurable decay rates as a function of the invariant mass-squared of the lepton pair $q^2$ in such a way that a universal decay-mode independent function is found for decays to vector and pseudoscalar mesons, respectively. This can be applied to the decays $B → D^{\ast}τv, B_s → D^\ast_sτv, B_c → J/ψτv$ and $B → Dτv, B_s → D_sτv, B_c → η_cτv$, with implications for $R(D^{(\ast)}), R(D^{(\ast)}_s), R(J/ψ), R(η_c)$, and $\mathcal{B}(B_c → τv)$. The slope and curvature of the characteristic $q^2$-dependence is proportional to scalar new physics parameters, facilitating their straight forward extraction, complementary to global fits.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Binding of saturated and unsaturated C 6 -hydrocarbons to the electrophilic anion [B 12 Br 11 ] – : a systematic mechanistic study

The highly reactive gaseous ion [B 12 Br 11 ] – is a metal-free closed-shell anion which spontaneously forms covalent bonds with hydrocarbon molecules, including alkanes. Herein, we systematically investigate the reaction mechanism for binding of [B 12 Br 11 ] – to the five hexane isomers yielding [B 12 Br 11 (C 6 H 14 )] – , as well as to cyclohexane and several hexene isomers (yielding [B 12 Br 11 (C 6 H 12 )] – ) using collision-induced dissociation (CID), infrared photodissociation spectroscopy (IRPD) and computational methods. CID of the different [B 12 Br 11 (C 6 H 14 )] – ions results in distinct fragmentation patterns dependent on the structure of the hexane isomer. Further, the observed fragmentation reactions provide insights into the addition mechanism of [B 12 Br 11 ] – to hexane. Based on the observed CID patterns, we identified that either B–C bond formation through heterolytic C–C or C–H bond cleavages or B–H bond formation through heterolytic C–H cleavage occur dependent on the structure of the hexane isomer. Meanwhile, we observe identical CID spectra of adducts originating from isomers of C 6 H 12 . Spectroscopic investigations of adducts of 1-hexene and cyclohexane indicate the same product structure with an open C 6 chain. Computational investigations evidenced that low lying transition states are present, which enable a ring opening reaction of cyclohexane when binding to [B 12 Br 11 ] – .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Role of sheared E × B flow in self-organized, improved confinement states in magnetized plasmas

A great scientific success story of magnetic fusion research in the past several decades is the theoretical development and experimental testing of the process of turbulence decorrelation and stabilization by sheared E×B flow which shows that E×B shear effects are ubiquitous in magnetized plasmas. This concept of turbulence decorrelation and stabilization has the universality needed to explain the H-mode edge transport barriers seen in limiter and divertor tokamaks, stellarators, and mirror machines; the broader edge transport barrier seen in VHmode plasmas; and the core transport barriers formed in tokamaks. Similar effects are seen in linear devices. These examples of confinement improvement are of considerable physical interest; it is not often that a system self-organizes to reduce transport when an additional source of free energy is applied to it. The transport decrease associated with E×B velocity shear is also of great practical benefit to fusion research, since it contributed to substantially increased fusion yield in all DT magnetic fusion experiments conducted to date. The fundamental physics involved in transport reduction is the effect of E×B shear on the growth, radial extent, and phase correlation of turbulent eddies in the plasma. The same basic transport reduction process can be operational in various portions of the plasma because there are a number of ways to change the radial electric field Er. An important secondary theme in this area is the synergistic effect of E×B velocity shear and magnetic shear. Although the E×B velocity shear appears to have an effect on broader classes of microturbulence, magnetic shear can mitigate some potentially harmful effects of E×B velocity shear and facilitate turbulence stabilization. Our present understanding in this area is the result of a multi-decade, intertwined effort in theory, modeling and diagnostic development combined with continuing experimental investigations. These experiments have clearly demonstrated that increased E×B shear causes reductions in turbulence and transport. Finally, the experimental findings are generally consistent with the basic theoretical models although considerable work remains to be done before we have a fully predictive theory of transport in magnetized plasmas including E×B shear effects.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Light new physics in B → K ( * ) ν ν ¯ ?

The study of the rare decays B → K ( * ) ν ν ¯ offers a window into the dynamics operating at the electroweak scale, allowing studies of the Standard Model and searches for heavy new physics. However, the analysis of these decays is also potentially sensitive to the on shell production of new light bosons X through the process B → K ( * ) X . In particular, Belle II has recently measured B + → K + ν ν ¯ , finding a 2.8 σ excess under the assumption of heavy new physics. Since this excess is rather localized in the kaon energy, a fit that includes the decay mode B + → K + X to the kinematic distributions prefers m X ≈ 2 GeV with branching fraction Br [ B → K X ] = ( 8.8 ± 2.5 ) × 10 − 6 and a significance of ≈ 3.6 σ . However, no excess was found in the measurements of B → K ( * ) ν ν ¯ , and a global analysis of the Belle II and data leads to Br [ B → K X ] = ( 5.1 ± 2.1 ) × 10 − 6 with a reduced significance of ≈ 2.4 σ . We then study various simplified dark-flavored models and present a possible UV completion based on a gauged B 3 − L 3 symmetry, highlighting the discovery potential of dedicated searches for B → K ( * ) X at Belle II. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for Baryon-Number-Violating Processes in B − Decays to the Ξ ¯ c 0 Λ ¯ c − Final State

We report the results of the first search for B − decays to the Ξ ¯ c 0 Λ ¯ c − final state using 711 fb − 1 of data collected at the ϒ ( 4 S ) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e + e − collider. The results are interpreted in terms of both direct baryon-number-violating B − decay and Ξ c 0 − Ξ ¯ c 0 oscillations which follow the standard model decay B − → Ξ c 0 Λ ¯ c − . We observe no evidence for baryon number violation and set the 95% confidence-level upper limits on the ratio of baryon-number-violating and standard model branching fractions B ( B − → Ξ ¯ c 0 Λ ¯ c − ) / B ( B − → Ξ c 0 Λ ¯ c − ) to be < 2.7 % and on the effective angular frequency of mixing ω in Ξ c 0 − Ξ ¯ c 0 oscillations to be < 0.76 ps − 1 (equivalent to τ mix > 1.3 ps ). Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evidence for B + → K + ν ν ¯ decays

We search for the rare decay B + → K + ν ν ¯ in a 362 fb − 1 sample of electron-positron collisions at the ϒ ( 4 S ) resonance collected with the Belle II detector at the SuperKEKB collider. We use the inclusive properties of the accompanying B meson in ϒ ( 4 S ) → B B ¯ events to suppress background from other decays of the signal B candidate and light-quark pair production. We validate the measurement with an auxiliary analysis based on a conventional hadronic reconstruction of the accompanying B meson. For background suppression, we exploit distinct signal features using machine learning methods tuned with simulated data. The signal-reconstruction efficiency and background suppression are validated through various control channels. The branching fraction is extracted in a maximum likelihood fit. Our inclusive and hadronic analyses yield consistent results for the B + → K + ν ν ¯ branching fraction of [ 2.7 ± 0.5 ( stat ) ± 0.5 ( syst ) ] × 10 − 5 and [ 1.1 − 0.8 + 0.9 ( stat ) − 0.5 + 0.8 ( syst ) ] × 10 − 5 , respectively. Combining the results, we determine the branching fraction of the decay B + → K + ν ν ¯ to be [ 2.3 ± 0.5 ( stat ) − 0.4 + 0.5 ( syst ) ] × 10 − 5 , providing the first evidence for this decay at 3.5 standard deviations. The combined result is 2.7 standard deviations above the standard model expectation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on B(HC)2 by Materials Project

B(CH)2 crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of one B(CH)2 cluster. there are three inequivalent B3+ sites. In the first B3+ site, B3+ is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to two C+2.50- and two H1+ atoms. Both B–C bond lengths are 1.52 Å. There is one shorter (1.24 Å) and one longer (1.26 Å) B–H bond length. In the second B3+ site, B3+ is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to two C+2.50- and two H1+ atoms. Both B–C bond lengths are 1.52 Å. There is one shorter (1.24 Å) and one longer (1.26 Å) B–H bond length. In the third B3+ site, B3+ is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to two C+2.50- and two H1+ atoms. Both B–C bond lengths are 1.52 Å. There is one shorter (1.24 Å) and one longer (1.26 Å) B–H bond length. There are six inequivalent C+2.50- sites. In the first C+2.50- site, C+2.50- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one B3+ and one C+2.50- atom. The C–C bond length is 1.25 Å. In the second C+2.50- site, C+2.50- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one B3+ and one C+2.50- atom. The C–C bond length is 1.26 Å. In the third C+2.50- site, C+2.50- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one B3+ and one C+2.50- atom. The C–C bond length is 1.25 Å. In the fourth C+2.50- site, C+2.50- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one B3+ and one C+2.50- atom. In the fifth C+2.50- site, C+2.50- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one B3+ and one C+2.50- atom. In the sixth C+2.50- site, C+2.50- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one B3+ and one C+2.50- atom. There are six inequivalent H1+ sites. In the first H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B3+ atom. In the second H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B3+ atom. In the third H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B3+ atom. In the fourth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B3+ atom. In the fifth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B3+ atom. In the sixth H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B3+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Study of $\mathrm{B}_{c}^{+}$ decays to charmonia and three light hadrons

Using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb -1 collected with the LHCb detector, seven decay modes of the $B^+_c$ meson into a $J/ψ$ or $ψ(2S)$ meson and three charged hadrons, kaons or pions, are studied. The decays $B^+_c$ → $(ψ(2S)$ →J/$ψπ^+π^-$)$π^+$, $B^+_c$→$ψ(2S)π^+π^-π^+, B^+_c$→ J/$ψK^+π^-π^+$ and $B^+_c$ → J/$ψK^+K^-K^+$ are observed for the first time, and evidence for the $B^+_c$ →$ψ(2S)K^+K^-π^+$, decay is found, where J/ψ and $(ψ(2S)$ mesons are reconstructed in their dimuon decay modes. The ratios of branching fractions between the different $B^+_c$ decays are reported as well as the fractions of the decays proceeding via intermediate resonances. The results largely support the factorisation approach used for a theoretical description of the studied decays.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enhanced Production of Λ b 0 Baryons in High-Multiplicity p p Collisions at s = 13 TeV

The production rate of Λ b 0 baryons relative to B 0 mesons in p p collisions at a center-of-mass energy s = 13 TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of Λ b 0 to B 0 production cross sections shows a significant dependence on both the transverse momentum and the measured charged-particle multiplicity. At low multiplicity, the ratio measured at LHCb is consistent with the value measured in e + e − collisions, and increases by a factor of ∼ 2 with increasing multiplicity. At relatively low transverse momentum, the ratio of Λ b 0 to B 0 cross sections is higher than what is measured in e + e − collisions, but converges with the e + e − ratio as the momentum increases. These results imply that the evolution of heavy b quarks into final-state hadrons is influenced by the density of the hadronic environment produced in the collision. Comparisons with several models and implications for the mechanisms enforcing quark confinement are discussed. © 2024 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2024 CERN

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical Li intercalation in b-As y P 1–y alloys: In-situ Raman spectroscopy study

Structural evolution of b-As y P 1-y alloys with varying As concentration, y was studied during Li-intercalation using in-situ Raman spectroscopy. A monotonic redshift of all the vibrational modes corresponding to P-P bonds (A 1 g , A 2 g , B 2g ), As-As bonds (A 1 g , A 2 g , B 2g ), and As-P bonds of all the samples was observed during the initial stages of the intercalation process due to the softening of each mode caused by the intercalation driven donor-type charge-transfer from Li to b-As y P 1-y . The emergence of a new peak identified as the E g mode of gray As, above an intercalation threshold, is indicative of the presence of an intercalation-driven structural phase segregation process. Further, the A 1g mode of gray As emerging after this intercalation threshold lies in close proximity of the A 2 g Raman mode of b-As y P 1-y . All the peaks beyond the intercalation threshold show an upshift due to the co-existence of gray As with b-As y P 1-y alloys causing strain and thus hardening of the phonon modes. In the sample with the highest As concentration phase segregation takes place during the synthesis process. Computational modeling reveals the co-existence of gray As in the b-As y P 1-y alloys with high As concentrations. It also confirms the existence of a local structural segregation taking place at a critical Li concentration during the intercalation process. Furthermore, this work shows the significance of intercalation on structural changes in the search for new phases of b-As y P 1-y alloys.

2D Materials↗