Observation of the decay Lambda(0)(b) -> pK(-)mu(+)mu(-) and a search for CP violation

A search for CP violation in the decay Lambda(0)(b) -> pK(-)mu(+)mu(-) is presented. This decay is mediated by flavour-changing neutral-current transitions in the Standard Model and is potentially sensitive to new sources of CP violation. The study is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions recorded with the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1). The Lambda(0)(b) -> pK(-)mu(+)mu(-) decay is observed for the first time, and two observables that are sensitive to different manifestations of CP violation are measured, Delta A(CP) equivalent to A(CP) (Lambda(0)(b) -> pK(-)mu(+)mu(-)) - A(CP) (Lambda(0)(b) -> pK(-)J/psi) and a(CP)((T) over cap -odd), where the latter is based on asymmetries in the angle between the mu(+)mu(-) and pK(-) decay planes. These are measured to be Delta A(CP) = (-3.5 +/- 5.0 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-2), a(CP)((T) over cap -odd) = (1.2 +/- 5.0 (stat) +/- 0.7 (syst)) x 10(-2), and no evidence for CP violation is found.

Published in:
Journal of High Energy Physics, 06, 108
Year:
2017
Publisher:
New York, Springer
Keywords:
Laboratories: