Search for Scalar Leptoquark Pairs Decaying to $\nu \bar \nu q \bar q$ in \ppbar Collisions at $\sqrt {s} = 1.96$ TeV

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for scalar leptoquark pairs decaying into neutrinos and quarks in proton-antiproton collisions, setting mass limits and finding no evidence of their existence within the explored mass range.

Contribution

First search for scalar leptoquark pairs decaying to neutrinos and quarks in proton-antiproton collisions at Tevatron, establishing new mass exclusion limits.

Findings

No evidence for leptoquark production was observed.

Excluded first-generation scalar leptoquarks with masses between 78 and 117 GeV/c^2.

Set 95% confidence level limits based on observed data.

Abstract

We report on a search for the pair production of scalar leptoquarks, $LQ$, using 191 pb$^{-1}$ of proton-antiproton collision data recorded by the CDF experiment during Run II of the Tevatron. The leptoquarks are sought via their decay into a neutrino and quark yielding missing transverse energy and several jets of large transverse energy. No evidence for leptoquark production is observed, and limits are set on $\sigma(p\bar p\to LQ\bar{LQ} X \to \nu\bar\nu q\bar q X)$. Using a next-to-leading order theoretical prediction of the cross section for scalar leptoquark production, we exclude first-generation leptoquarks in the mass interval 78 to 117 GeV$/c^2$ at the 95% confidence level for BR($LQ\to \nu q)=100%$.