Search for b--> u transitions in B- -> [K+pi-pi0]_D K-

TL;DR

This study searches for specific B meson decays involving b to u transitions to measure the angle gamma of the unitarity triangle, but finds no significant evidence and sets upper limits on the decay rates.

Contribution

First search for B- --> D0bar K- decays via b to u transition using the ADS method with BABAR data, providing new upper limits on the decay rate.

Findings

No significant evidence for the decays was observed.

Set an upper limit R_ADS < 0.039 at 95% CL.

Translated into a limit on r_B < 0.185 at 95% CL.

Abstract

We search for decays of a B meson into a neutral D meson and a kaon, with the D meson decaying into K+pi-pi0. This final state can be reached through the b --> c transition B- -> D0K- followed by the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed D0 --> K+pi-pi0, or the b --> u transition B- --> D0bar K- followed by the Cabibbo-favored D0bar --> K+ pi-pi0. The interference of these two amplitudes is sensitive to the angle gamma of the unitarity triangle. We present preliminary results based on 226 10^{6} e+e- --> Y(4s) --> BBbar events collected with the BABAR detector at SLAC. We find no significant evidence for these decays and we set a limit R_ADS =(BR(B- -->[K+pi-pi0]_D K-)+ BR(B- --> [K-pi+pi0]_D K+))/(BR(B- -->[K-pi+pi0]_D K-)+ BR(B- --> [K+pi-pi0]_D K+))<0.039 at 95% confidence level, which we translate with a Bayesian approach into r_B = |A(B- --> D0bar K-)|/|A(B- --> D0bar K-)| < 0.185 at 95% confidence level.