Measurement of the track reconstruction efficiency at LHCb

TL;DR

This paper measures the efficiency of track reconstruction at LHCb using J/psi decays, achieving over 95% efficiency and high precision in data-to-simulation ratios, which is vital for accurate physics measurements.

Contribution

It provides precise measurements of track reconstruction efficiencies at LHCb across multiple years, with detailed uncertainty assessments and validation against simulation.

Findings

Efficiencies above 95% in 2010-2012

Data-simulation efficiency ratios compatible with unity

Uncertainties of 0.8% (2010) and 0.4% (2011-2012)

Abstract

The determination of track reconstruction efficiencies at LHCb using $J/\psi\rightarrow\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decays is presented. Efficiencies above $95\%$ are found for the data taking periods in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The ratio of the track reconstruction efficiency of muons in data and simulation is compatible with unity and measured with an uncertainty of $0.8\,\%$ for data taking in 2010, and at a precision of $0.4\,\%$ for data taking in 2011 and 2012. For hadrons an additional $1.4\,\%$ uncertainty due to material interactions is assumed. This result is crucial for accurate cross section and branching fraction measurements in LHCb.