Open Charm measurements at the NA61 experiment at CERN SPS

TL;DR

The NA61/SHINE experiment at CERN SPS has used a new silicon Vertex Detector to measure open charm production, observing a D0 peak at SPS energies, advancing understanding of strong interactions involving exotic particles.

Contribution

Introduction of a new silicon Vertex Detector (SAVD) enabling precise open charm measurements at SPS energies, with initial results indicating a D0 peak.

Findings

First indication of a D0 peak at SPS energies

Successful implementation of the SAVD detector for charm measurements

Future plans for upgraded vertex detector to enhance measurements

Abstract

The strong interactions programme of the NA61/SHINE experiment at CERN SPS has been extended through the use of new silicon Vertex Detector which provides precise measurements of exotic particles with short lifetime. The detector was designed to meet the challenges of primary and secondary vertexes reconstruction at high spatial resolution. An initial version of the Vertex Detector called SAVD (Small Acceptance Vertex Detector) was installed last end of 2016, and data was from Pb+Pb collisions was collected in 2016, for Xe+La in 2017, as well as further Pb+Pb collisions this year. First indication of a D$^0$ peak at SPS energies has been observed. The physics motivation behind the open charm measurements will be discussed, as well as the analysis of collected data on open charm production and the future plans of open charm measurements in NA61/SHINE experiment related to the upgraded version of the vertex detector.