Measurements of $\psi(2S)$ and $X(3872) \to J/\psi\pi^+\pi^-$ production in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

TL;DR

This paper measures the production rates and decay properties of the $X(3872)$ and $\psi(2S)$ particles in proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV, providing insights into their production mechanisms and decay dynamics.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed differential cross sections for prompt and non-prompt production of $X(3872)$ and $\psi(2S)$ in $pp$ collisions at 8 TeV, including cross-section ratios and decay distributions.

Findings

Measured the ratio of $X(3872)$ to $\psi(2S)$ production cross sections.

Determined the non-prompt fractions and $B_c$ decay contributions for $X(3872)$ and $\\psi(2S)$.

Compared dipion invariant mass distributions to theoretical models.

Abstract

Differential cross sections are presented for the prompt and non-prompt production of the hidden-charm states $X(3872)$ and $\psi(2S)$, in the decay mode $J/\psi \pi^+\pi^-$, measured using 11.4 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 8$ TeV by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The ratio of cross-sections $X(3872)/\psi(2S)$ is also given, separately for prompt and non-prompt components, as well as the non-prompt fractions of $X(3872)$ and $\psi(2S)$. Assuming independent single effective lifetimes for non-prompt $X(3872)$ and $\psi(2S)$ production gives $R_B = \frac{\mathcal{B}(B \rightarrow X(3872)\textrm{ + any}) \mathcal{B}(X(3872 \rightarrow J/\psi\pi^+\pi^-)}{\mathcal{B}(B \rightarrow \psi(2S)\textrm{ + any}) \mathcal{B}(\psi(2S) \rightarrow J/\psi\pi^+\pi^-)} = (3.95 \pm 0.32 \mathrm{(stat)} \pm 0.08\mathrm{(sys)}) \times 10^{-2}$, while separating short- and long-lived contributions, assuming that the short-lived component is due to $B_c$ decays, gives $R_B = (3.57 \pm 0.33\mathrm{(stat)} \pm 0.11\mathrm{(sys)}) \times 10^{-2}$, with the fraction of non-prompt $X(3872)$ produced via $B_c$ decays for $p_\mathrm{T}(X(3872)) > 10$ GeV being $(25 \pm 13\mathrm{(stat)} \pm 2\mathrm{(sys)} \pm 5\mathrm{(spin)})\%$. The distributions of the dipion invariant mass in the $X(3872)$ and $\psi(2S)$ decays are also measured and compared to theoretical predictions.