Search for $\Lambda_c^+ \to p K^+ \pi^-$ and $D_s^+ \to K^+ K^+ \pi^-$ Using Genetic Programming Event Selection

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first successful application of genetic programming for event selection in high energy physics, specifically searching for rare decay modes of charm mesons and baryons.

Contribution

It introduces a novel genetic programming approach to identify rare decay signals, improving analysis techniques in particle physics research.

Findings

Set upper limits on branching ratios for rare decays.

Validated genetic programming as an effective analysis tool.

Provided new constraints on double Cabibbo suppressed decays.

Abstract

We apply a genetic programming technique to search for the double Cabibbo suppressed decays $\Lambda_c^+ \to p K^+ \pi^-$ and $D_s^+ \to K^+ K^+ \pi^-$. We normalize these decays to their Cabibbo favored partners and find $\text{BR}($\Lambda_c^+ \to p K^+ \pi^-$)/\text{BR}($\Lambda_c^+ \to p K^- \pi^+$) = (0.05 \pm 0.26 \pm 0.02)%$ and $\text{BR}($D_s^+ \to K^+ K^+ \pi^-$)/\text{BR}($D_s^+ \to K^+ K^- \pi^+$) = (0.52\pm 0.17\pm 0.11)%$ where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic. Expressed as 90% confidence levels (CL), we find $< 0.46 % $ and $ < 0.78%$ respectively. This is the first successful use of genetic programming in a high energy physics data analysis.