Observation of New Heavy Baryon Ξb

Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 052002 (2007)

This web page summarizes the results of the search for a new heavy baryon Ξb composed of b,s,d quarks. The search is based on data comprising 1.9 fb-1 of integrated luminosity. Using the fully reconstructed decay

Ξb- → J/Ψ Ξ-;     J/Ψ → μ+μ-;     Ξ- → Λ0 π-;     Λ0→p π -    
 
we measure:

The statistical significance of the &Xib signal is over 7 &sigma



GIF EPS



GIF EPS (toggle "a" in "gv" viewer to get proper hatch style)

Major points of the analysis

  • To reduce background and improve secondary vertex precision we use Ξ tracked in SVX
  • Utilization of Ξ-track turns 5-track final state (μμπpπ) into 3-track vertex (μμΞ). Similar to B+ → J/ψ K+
  • Selection criteria are data driven and independent of the signal under study
    • Optimize cuts to get best B+ → J/ψ K+ signal
    • Apply these cuts to Ξb- → J/ψ Ξ - signal
  • The same strategy was used for Bc+ → J/ψ π+ observation

Plots