New results on the search for $B^0_s\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ from LHCb

TL;DR

This paper reports a significant observation of the rare decay $B^0_s ightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ with results consistent with the Standard Model, based on LHCb data at 7 and 8 TeV.

Contribution

First measurement of the $B^0_s ightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ branching fraction with a 3.5 sigma significance using LHCb data, confirming Standard Model predictions.

Findings

Measured ${ m BR}(B^0_s ightarrow \\mu^+\\mu^-)$ = (3.2^{+1.5}_{-1.2}) x 10^{-9}

Observed excess with 3.5 sigma significance

Set upper limit ${ m BR}(B^0 ightarrow \\mu^+\\mu^-) < 9.4 imes 10^{-10}

Abstract

A search for the rare decays $B^0_s\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ and $B^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ is performed with the LHCb experiment using 1.1\,fb$^{-1}$ of data collected at $\sqrt s=8$\,TeV$ and 1.0\,fb$^{-1}$ of data collected at $\sqrt s=7$\,TeV. An excess of $B^0_s\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ candidates with respect to the background expectations is observed with a statistical significance of 3.5 standard deviations. A branching fraction of ${\cal BR}(B^0_s\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-) =(3.2^{+1.5}_{-1.2}) \times 10^{-9}$ is measured with an unbinned maximum likelihood fit. The measured branching fraction is in agreement with the expectation from the Standard Model. The observed number of $B^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-$ candidates is consistent with the background expectation and an upper limit on the branching fraction of ${\cal BR}(B^0\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-) < 9.4\times10^{-10}$ is obtained.