A Cicerone for the physics of charm, Part I: production, spectroscopy, lifetimes

TL;DR

This paper reviews the production, spectroscopy, and lifetimes of charm hadrons, providing a comprehensive introduction and reference for researchers, covering experimental methods and theoretical tools in charm physics.

Contribution

It offers a detailed, pedagogical overview of charm hadron physics, including experimental techniques and theoretical frameworks, serving as a foundational reference for both newcomers and experts.

Findings

Analysis of inclusive charm production processes

Detailed discussion of charm hadron spectroscopy

Summary of charm meson and baryon lifetimes

Abstract

This is part I of a two-part review of charm physics. After briefly recapitulating the history of the charm quantum number we sketch the experimental environments and instruments employed to study the behaviour of charm hadrons and then describe the theoretical tools for treating charm dynamics. After discussing a wide range of inclusive production processes we analyze the spectroscopy of hadrons with hidden and open charm and the weak lifetimes of charm mesons and baryons. In part II we shall address exclusive charm decays, $D^0 - \bar D^0$ oscillations and CP violation. This review is meant to be both a pedagogical introduction for the young scholar and a useful reference for the experienced researcher. We aim for a complete description of the fundamental features while providing a guide through the literature for purely technical issues.