The infamous 95 GeV $\rm b \bar b$ excess at LEP: Two b or not two b?

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the claim that LEP data supports a 95 GeV scalar particle explanation for a diphoton excess observed at the LHC, concluding that LEP data strongly disfavors such new physics interpretations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of LEP public notes to refute the claim that LEP data supports a 95 GeV scalar particle explanation for the LHC excess.

Findings

LEP data does not support the existence of a 95 GeV scalar particle.

The supposed excess in LEP bar{b} data is not supported by detailed scrutiny.

LEP results strongly disfavor new physics in the 95-100 GeV range.

Abstract

A small deviation observed around 95 GeV in the diphoton invariant mass distribution in the LHC Run 2 data has been subject to considerable attention in the past couple of years. The interpretation of this excess as the manifestation of an additional scalar particle at this mass is often claimed to be supported by a previously observed, even smaller, excess in the b\=b invariant mass distribution in LEP data. This short note aims at confronting this claim to factual experimental observations, through a careful scrutiny of the detailed LEP public notes written at the time on the topic. It is found that the LEP data strongly disfavour the production of a new 95 GeV scalar particle, as well as any other new physics interpretation in the 95-100 GeV mass range.