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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 OSTI2022

Observation of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays $D^+ → K^+π^0π^0$ and $D^+ → K^+π^0η$

By analyzing e + e - annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb -1 collected at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the first observations of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D + → K + π 0 π 0 and D + → K + π 0 η. The branching fractions of D + → K + π 0 π 0 and D + → K + π 0 η are measured to be (2.1 ± 0.4 stat ± 0.1 syst ) x 10 -4 and (2.1 ± 0.5 stat ± 0.1 syst ) x 10 -4 with statistical significances of 8.8σ and 5.5σ, respectively. In addition, we search for the subprocesses D + → K * (892) + π 0 and D + → K * (892)+η with K * (892) + → K + π 0 . The branching fraction of D + → K * (892) + η is determined to be (4.4$^{+1.8}_{-1.5stat}$ ± 0.2 syst ) x 10 -4 , with a statistical significance of 3.2σ. No significant signal for D + → K * (892) + π 0 is found and we set an upper limit on the branching fraction of this decay at the 90% confidence level to be 5.4 x 10 -4 .

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2025

Observation of η c ( 1 S , 2 S ) and χ c J decays to 2 ( π + π − ) η via ψ ( 3686 ) radiative transitions

Based on ( 2712.4 ± 14.1 ) × 10 6 ψ ( 3686 ) decays collected with the BESIII detector, we have observed, for the first time, the hadronic decays of S- and P-wave charmonium states into 2 ( π + π − ) η via radiative transitions from ψ ( 3686 ) . The branching fraction of the decay η c ( 1 S ) → 2 ( π + π − ) η has a significant dependence on the interference pattern between η c ( 1 S ) and non- η c ( 1 S ) processes. We measure it in both the destructive and constructive interference scenarios for the first time. The mass and width of the η c ( 1 S ) are measured to be M = ( 2984.14 ± 0.13 ± 0.38 ) MeV / c 2 and Γ = ( 28.82 ± 0.11 ± 0.82 ) MeV , respectively. Clear signals for the decays of the χ c J ( J = 0 , 1 , 2 ) and the η c ( 2 S ) to 2 ( π + π − ) η are also observed for the first time, and the corresponding branching fractions are measured. The ratio of the branching fractions between the η c ( 2 S ) and η c ( 1 S ) decays is significantly lower than the theoretical prediction, which might suggest different dynamics in their decays. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Ablikim, M.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Observation of the Rare Decay of the 𝜂 Meson to Four Muons

A search for the rare η → μ + μ − μ + μ − double-Dalitz decay is performed using a sample of proton-proton collisions, collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC with high-rate muon triggers in 2017-2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb −1 . A signal having a statistical significance well in excess of 5 standard deviations is observed. Using the η → μ + μ − decay as normalization, the branching fraction B(η → μ + μ − μ + μ − ) = [5.0 ± 0.8 (stat) ± 0.7 (syst) ± 0.7 (B 2μ )] × 10 −9 is measured, where the last term is the uncertainty in the normalization channel branching fraction. This work achieves an improved precision of over five orders of magnitude compared to previous results, leading to the first measurement of this branching fraction, which is found to agree with theoretical predictions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Search for D 0 meson decays to π + π − e + e − and K + K − e + e − final states

A search for D 0 meson decays to the π + π − e + e − and K + K − e + e − final states is reported using a sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb − 1 . The decay D 0 → π + π − e + e − is observed for the first time when requiring that the two electrons are consistent with coming from the decay of a ϕ or ρ 0 / ω meson. The corresponding branching fractions are measured relative to the D 0 → K − π − [ e + e − ] ρ 0 / ω decay, where the two electrons are consistent with coming from the decay of a ρ 0 or ω meson. No evidence is found for the D 0 → K + K − e + e − decay and world-best limits are set on its branching fraction. The results are compared to, and found to be consistent with, the branching fractions of the D 0 → π + π − μ + μ − and D 0 → K + K − μ + μ − decays recently measured by LHCb and confirm lepton universality at the current precision. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN

Aaij, R. (ORCID:0000000305331952)↗

DOE OSTI2021

Search for dark photons in Higgs boson production via vector boson fusion in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV

A search is presented for a Higgs boson that is produced via vector boson fusion and that decays to an undetected particle and an isolated photon. The search is performed by the CMS collaboration at the LHC, using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 130 fb$^{−1}$, recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 2016–2018. No significant excess of events above the expectation from the standard model background is found. The results are interpreted in the context of a theoretical model in which the undetected particle is a massless dark photon. An upper limit is set on the product of the cross section for production via vector boson fusion and the branching fraction for such a Higgs boson decay, as a function of the Higgs boson mass. For a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV, assuming the standard model production rates, the observed (expected) 95% confidence level upper limit on the branching fraction is 3.5 (2.8)%. This is the first search for such decays in the vector boson fusion channel. Combination with a previous search for Higgs bosons produced in association with a Z boson results in an observed (expected) upper limit on the branching fraction of 2.9 (2.1)% at 95% confidence level.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Search for η c ( 2 S ) → ω ω and ω ϕ and measurements of χ c J → ω ω and ω ϕ in ψ ( 2 S ) radiative processes

Using ( 2712 ± 14 ) × 10 6 ψ ( 2 S ) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we search for the decays η c ( 2 S ) → ω ω and η c ( 2 S ) → ω ϕ via the process ψ ( 2 S ) → γ η c ( 2 S ) . No statistically significant signals are observed. The upper limits of their product branching fractions at the 90% confidence level are determined to be B ( ψ ( 2 S ) → γ η c ( 2 S ) , η c ( 2 S ) → ω ω ) < 1.04 × 10 − 6 and B ( ψ ( 2 S ) → γ η c ( 2 S ) , η c ( 2 S ) → ω ϕ ) < 1.85 × 10 − 7 , respectively. We also update the branching fractions of χ c J → ω ω and χ c J → ω ϕ via the ψ ( 2 S ) → γ χ c J transition. Their branching fractions are determined to be B ( χ c 0 → ω ω ) = ( 10.66 ± 0.11 ± 0.57 ) × 10 − 4 , B ( χ c 1 → ω ω ) = ( 6.43 ± 0.07 ± 0.31 ) × 10 − 4 , B ( χ c 2 → ω ω ) = ( 8.75 ± 0.08 ± 0.42 ) × 10 − 4 , B ( χ c 0 → ω ϕ ) = ( 1.18 ± 0.03 ± 0.07 ) × 10 − 4 , B ( χ c 1 → ω ϕ ) = ( 2.04 ± 0.15 ± 0.11 ) × 10 − 5 , and B ( χ c 2 → ω ϕ ) = ( 9.58 ± 1.07 ± 0.76 ) × 10 − 6 , where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Ablikim, M.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Study of η → π + π − l + l −

Using a sample of ( 10087 ± 44 ) × 10 6 J / ψ events accumulated with the BESIII detector, we analyze the decays η → π + π − l + l − ( l = e or μ ) via the process J / ψ → γ η . The branching fraction of η → π + π − e + e − is measured to be B ( η → π + π − e + e − ) = ( 3.07 ± 0.1 2 stat ± 0.1 9 syst ) × 10 − 4 . No signal events are observed for the η → π + π − μ + μ − decay, leading to an upper limit on the branching fraction of B ( η → π + π − μ + μ − ) < 4.0 × 10 − 7 at the 90% confidence level. Furthermore, the C P -violation asymmetry parameter is found to be A C P ( η → π + π − e + e − ) = ( − 4.04 ± 4.6 9 stat ± 0.1 4 syst ) % , showing no evidence of C P -violation with current statistics. Additionally, we extract the transition form factor from the decay amplitude of η → π + π − e + e − . Finally, axionlike particles are searched for via the decay η → π + π − a , a → e + e − , and upper limits on this branching fraction relative to that of η → π + π − e + e − are presented as a function of the axionlike particle mass in the range 5 – 200 MeV / c 2 . Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Ablikim, M.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Study of h c → 3 ( π + π − ) π 0 , h c → 2 ( π + π − ) ω , h c → 2 ( π + π − ) π 0 η , h c → 2 ( π + π − ) η , and h c → p p ¯

Based on ( 2712.4 ± 14.1 ) × 10 6 ψ ( 3686 ) events collected with the BESIII detector, we study the decays h c → 3 ( π + π − ) π 0 , h c → 2 ( π + π − ) ω , h c → 2 ( π + π − ) π 0 η , h c → 2 ( π + π − ) η , and h c → p p ¯ via ψ ( 3686 ) → π 0 h c . The decay channel h c → 3 ( π + π − ) π 0 is observed for the first time, and its branching fraction is determined to be ( 9.28 ± 1.14 ± 0.77 ) × 10 − 3 , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. In addition, first evidence is found for the modes h c → 2 ( π + π − ) π 0 η and h c → 2 ( π + π − ) ω with significances of 4.8 σ and 4.7 σ , and their branching fractions are determined to be ( 7.55 ± 1.51 ± 0.77 ) × 10 − 3 and ( 4.00 ± 0.86 ± 0.35 ) × 10 − 3 , respectively. No significant signals of h c → 2 ( π + π − ) η and h c → p p ¯ are observed, and the upper limits of the branching fractions of these decays are determined to be < 6.19 × 10 − 4 and < 4.40 × 10 − 5 at the 90% confidence level, respectively. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

DOE OSTI2025

Search for η c ( 2 S ) → p p ¯ K + K − and measurement of χ c J → p p ¯ K + K − in ψ ( 3686 ) radiative decays

A search for η c ( 2 S ) → p p ¯ K + K − , together with measurement of branching fractions of χ c J ( J = 0 , 1 , 2 ) → p p ¯ K + K − in the ψ ( 3686 ) → γ η c ( 2 S ) and the ψ ( 3686 ) → γ χ c J radiative decays, is performed with ( 2712.4 ± 14.3 ) × 10 6 ψ ( 3686 ) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. An evidence for η c ( 2 S ) → p p ¯ K + K − is found, with a significance of 3.3 σ . The product branching fraction of B [ ψ ( 3686 ) → γ η c ( 2 S ) ] · B [ η c ( 2 S ) → p p ¯ K + K − ] is determined to be ( 1.98 ± 0.4 1 stat ± 0.9 9 syst ) × 10 − 7 . The product branching fractions of B [ ψ ( 3686 ) → γ χ c J ] · B [ χ c J → p p ¯ K + K − ] are measured to be ( 2.49 ± 0.0 3 stat ± 0.1 5 syst ) × 10 − 5 , ( 1.83 ± 0.0 2 stat ± 0.1 1 syst ) × 10 − 5 , and ( 2.43 ± 0.0 2 stat ± 0.1 5 syst ) × 10 − 5 , for J = 0 , 1, and 2, respectively. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Ablikim, M.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson to a pair of pseudoscalars in the $μμ bb$ and $ττ bb$ final states

A search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson (H) with a mass of 125 GeV to a pair of light pseudoscalars a 1 is performed in final states where one pseudoscalar decays to two quarks and the other to a pair of muons or leptons. A data sample of proton–proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb -1 recorded with the CMS detector is analyzed. No statistically significant excess is observed over the standard model backgrounds. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level (CL) on the Higgs boson branching fraction to μ μ b b and to τ τ b b via a pair of a 1 s. The limits depend on the pseudoscalar mass m a 1 and are observed to be in the range (0.17–3.3) x 10 -4 and (1.7–7.7) x 10 -2 in the μ μ b b and τ τ b b final states, respectively. In the framework of models with two Higgs doublets and a complex scalar singlet (2HDM+S), the results of the two final states are combined to determine upper limits on the branching fraction ${\mathcal {B}}(\text {H} \rightarrow \text {a}_{1} \text {a}_{1} \rightarrow \ell \ell \text{ b } \text{ b})$ at 95% CL, with ℓ being a muon or a τ lepton. For different types of 2HDM+S, upper bounds on the branching fraction ${\mathcal {B}}(\text {H} \rightarrow \text {a}_{1} \text {a}_{1} )$ are extracted from the combination of the two channels. In most of the Type II 2HDM+S parameter space ${\mathcal {B}}(\text {H} \rightarrow \text {a}_{1} \text {a}_{1} )$, values above 0.23 are excluded at 95% CL for m a 1 values between 15 and 60 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Radical–Radical Reactions in Molecular Weight Growth: The Phenyl + Propargyl Reaction

The mechanism for hydrocarbon ring growth in sooting environments is still the subject of considerable debate. The reaction of phenyl radical (C 6 H 5 ) with propargyl radical (H 2 CCCH) provides an important prototype for radical–radical ring-growth pathways. We studied this reaction experimentally over the temperature range of 300–1000 K and pressure range of 4–10 Torr using time-resolved multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. We detect both the C 9 H 8 and C 9 H 7 + H product channels and report experimental isomer-resolved product branching fractions for the C 9 H 8 product. We compare these experiments to theoretical kinetics predictions from a recently published study augmented by new calculations. Here, these ab initio transition state theory-based master equation calculations employ high-quality potential energy surfaces, conventional transition state theory for the tight transition states, and direct CASPT2-based variable reaction coordinate transition state theory (VRC-TST) for the barrierless channels. At 300 K only the direct adducts from radical–radical addition are observed, with good agreement between experimental and theoretical branching fractions, supporting the VRC-TST calculations of the barrierless entrance channel. As the temperature is increased to 1000 K we observe two additional isomers, including indene, a two-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and a small amount of bimolecular products C 9 H 7 + H. Our calculated branching fractions for the phenyl + propargyl reaction predict significantly less indene than observed experimentally. We present further calculations and experimental evidence that the most likely cause of this discrepancy is the contribution of H atom reactions, both H + indenyl (C 9 H 7 ) recombination to indene and H-assisted isomerization that converts less stable C 9 H 8 isomers into indene. Especially at low pressures typical of laboratory investigations, H-atom-assisted isomerization needs to be considered. Regardless, the experimental observation of indene demonstrates that the title reaction leads, either directly or indirectly, to the formation of the second ring in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Search for X ( 3872 ) → π 0 π 0 χ c 1 , 2

Using 10.1 fb − 1 of e + e − collision data collected by the BESIII detector with center-of-mass energies between 4.15 GeV and 4.30 GeV, we search for the decays X ( 3872 ) → π 0 π 0 χ c 1 , 2 , where the X ( 3872 ) is produced in e + e − → γ X ( 3872 ) . No evidence above 3 σ is found for either decay. Upper limits at the 90% CL on the branching fractions of X ( 3872 ) → π 0 π 0 χ c 1 , 2 normalized to the branching fraction of X ( 3872 ) → π + π − J / ψ are set to be B ( X ( 3872 ) → π 0 π 0 χ c 1 ) / B ( X ( 3872 ) → π + π − J / ψ ) < 1.1 and B ( X ( 3872 ) → π 0 π 0 χ c 2 ) / B ( X ( 3872 ) → π + π − J / ψ ) < 0.5 , taking into account both statistical and systematic uncertainties. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Test of lepton flavor universality and search for lepton flavor violation in B → Kℓℓ decays

We present measurements of the branching fractions for the decays B → Kμ + μ - and B → Ke + e - , and their ratio (R K ), using a data sample of 711 fb -1 that contains 772 × 10 6 B$\bar{B}$ events. The data were collected at the Υ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e + e - collider. The ratio R K is measured in five bins of dilepton invariant-mass-squared (q 2 ): q 2 $\epsilon$ (0.1, 4.0), (4.00, 8.12), (1.0, 6.0), (10.2, 12.8) and (> 14.18) GeV 2 /c 4 , along with the whole q 2 region. The R K value for q 2 $\epsilon$ (1.0, 6.0) GeV 2 /c 4 is 1.03$^{+0.28}_{-0.24}$ ± 0.01. The first and second uncertainties listed are statistical and systematic, respectively. All results for RK are consistent with Standard Model predictions. We also measure CP-averaged isospin asymmetries in the same q 2 bins. The results are consistent with a null asymmetry, with the largest difference of 2.6 standard deviations occurring for the q 2 $\epsilon$ (1.0, 6.0) GeV 2 /c 4 bin in the mode with muon final states. The measured differential branching fractions, dB/dq 2 , are consistent with theoretical predictions for charged B decays, while the corresponding values are below the expectations for neutral B decays. We have also searched for lepton-flavor-violating B → Kμ ± e ∓ decays and set 90% confidence-level upper limits on the branching fraction in the range of 10 -8 for B + → K + μ ± e ∓ , and B 0 → K 0 μ ± e ∓ modes.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2024

Observation of the semileptonic decays $$ {\textrm{D}}^0\to {\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0{\pi}^{-}{\pi}^0{\textrm{e}}^{+}{\nu}_{\textrm{e}} $$ and $$ {\textrm{D}}^{+}\to {\textrm{K}}_{\textrm{S}}^0{\pi}^{+}{\pi}^{-}{\textrm{e}}^{+}{\nu}_{\textrm{e}} $$

Abstract By analyzinge + e − annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb −1 collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, the first observation of the semileptonic decays$$ {D}^0\to {K}_S^0{\pi}^{-}{\pi}^0{e}^{+}{\nu}_e $$ D 0 → K S 0 π − π 0 e + ν e and$$ {D}^{+}\to {K}_S^0{\pi}^{+}{\pi}^{-}{e}^{+}{\nu}_e $$ D + → K S 0 π + π − e + ν e is reported. In the hypothesis that all events correspond toK 1 (1270) decays, the branching fractions are measured to be$$ \mathcal{B}\left({D}^0\to {K}_1{(1270)}^{-}\left(\to {K}_S^0{\pi}^{-}{\pi}^0\right){e}^{+}{\nu}_e\right)=\left({1.69}_{-0.46}^{+0.53}\pm 0.15\right)\times {10}^{-4} $$ B D 0 → K 1 1270 − → K S 0 π − π 0 e + ν e = 1.69 − 0.46 + 0.53 ± 0.15 × 10 − 4 and$$ \mathcal{B}\left({D}^{+}\to {\overline{K}}_1{(1270)}^0\left(\to {K}_S^0{\pi}^{+}{\pi}^{-}\right){e}^{+}{\nu}^e\right)=\left({1.47}_{-0.40}^{+0.45}\pm 0.14\right)\times {10}^{-4} $$ B D + → K ¯ 1 1270 0 → K S 0 π + π − e + ν e = 1.47 − 0.40 + 0.45 ± 0.14 × 10 − 4 with statistical significance of 5.4σand 5.6σ, respectively. When combined with measurements of theK 1 (1270)→ K + π − πdecays, the absolute branching fractions are determined to be$$ \mathcal{B}\left({D}^0\to {K}_1{(1270)}^{-}{e}^{+}{\nu}_e\right)=\left({1.08}_{-0.13-0.10}^{+0.14+0.08}\pm 0.21\right)\times {10}^{-3} $$ B D 0 → K 1 1270 − e + ν e = 1.08 − 0.13 − 0.10 + 0.14 + 0.08 ± 0.21 × 10 − 3 and$$ \mathcal{B}\left({D}^{+}\to {\overline{K}}_1{(1270)}^0{e}^{+}{\nu}_e\right)=\left({1.70}_{-0.23}^{+0.26}\pm 0.13\pm 0.35\right)\times {10}^{-3} $$ B D + → K ¯ 1 1270 0 e + ν e = 1.70 − 0.23 + 0.26 ± 0.13 ± 0.35 × 10 − 3 . The first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively, and the third uncertainties originate from the assumed branching fractions of theK 1 (1270)→ Kππdecays.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2023

Angular analysis of the low K + K – invariant mass enhancement in B + →K + K – π + decays

We study the decay B + →K + K – π + and investigate the angular distribution of K + K – pairs with invariant mass below 1.1 GeV / c 2 . This region exhibits both a strong enhancement in signal and very large direct CP violation. We construct a coherent sum model for the angular distribution of the S- and P-wave, and report the ratio of their amplitudes, the relative phase and the forward-backward asymmetry. We also report absolute differential branching fractions and direct CP asymmetry for the decay in bins of M K+K– and the differential branching fractions in bins of M K+π– . The results are based on a data sample that contains 772 × 10 6 $B\bar{B}$ pairs collected at the $Υ$(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e + e – collider. The result favors the presence of S- and D-waves in low M K+K– region to the detriment of a P-wave.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Search for the decay $h_c$ → $π^0J/ψ$

A search for the decay $h_c$ → $π^0J/ψ$ is performed using a sample of hc produced in the reaction $e^+e^-$ → $π^+π^-h_c$. The data samples were collected with the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.189 and 4.437 GeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 11 fb -1 . No significant signal is observed. Upper limits on the branching ratio $\mathcal{B}$($h_c$ →$π^oJ/ψ$)/$\mathcal{B}$($h_c$ →$γη_c$ →$γK^+K_-π^o$) and on the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$($h_c$ →$π^oJ/ψ$) are determined to be 7.5 x 10 -2 and 4.7 x 10 -4 at 90% confidence level, respectively. The latter is derived from the former using the measured branching fraction of the normalization channel. This is the first determination of the upper limit of the decay $h_c$ → $π^0J/ψ$

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Search for a new scalar resonance in flavour-changing neutral-current top-quark decays $t → qX (q = u, c)$, with $X → b\overline{b} $, in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for flavour-changing neutral-current decays of a top quark into an up-type quark (either up or charm) and a light scalar particle X decaying into a bottom anti-bottom quark pair is presented. The search focuses on top-quark pair production where one top quark decays to qX, with X → $b\bar{b}$, and the other top quark decays according to the Standard Model, with the W boson decaying leptonically. The final state is thus characterised by an isolated electron or muon and at least four jets. Events are categorised according to the multiplicity of jets and jets tagged as originating from b-quarks, and a neural network is used to discriminate between signal and background processes. The data analysed correspond to 139 fb –1 of proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The 95% confidence-level upper limits between 0.019% and 0.062% are derived for the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$(t → uX) and between 0.018% and 0.078% for the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}$(t → cX), for masses of the scalar particle X between 20 and 160 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗