Weak decays of doubly heavy baryons: “decay constants”

Inspired by the recent observation of the Ξ_c~+_c~+)by the LHCb Collaboration, we explore the "decay constants" of doubly heavy baryons in the framework of QCD sum rules. With the Ξ_cc),Ξ_(bc),Ξ_(bb), and ?_(cc),?_(bc),?_(bb) baryons interpolated by three-quark operators, we calculate the correlation functions using the operator product expansion and include the contributions from operators up to dimension six. On the hadron side, we consider both contributions from the lowest-lying states with JP=1/2~+ and from negative parity baryons with JP=1/2~-. We find that the results are stable and the contaminations from negative parity baryons are not severe. These results are ingredients for the QCD study of weak decays and other properties of doubly-heavy baryons.     

A detailed analysis ofD-,D s - andB-meson transition form factors and the determination of |V cb |

We study various transition form factors in semi-leptonic decays ofD-,D _s -,B- andB _s -mesons using the pole dominance assumption. The vector current form factor is found to have only a negligible contribution to the decay rates involving pseudoscalar to vector transitions. In view of this fact we evaluate the form factors from present experimental data on the exclusive semi-leptonic decay rateΓ and the ratioΓ _l /Γ _T of the longitudinal and transverse partial decay rates. Some non-leptonic two-body decay rates are also investigated using the factorization ansatz. Consistency with the semi-leptonic decays is found. The transition form factors of theD- andD _s -mesons are found to contradict the predictions of quark model. In contrast, the experimental data on the transition form factors ofB-mesons are found to be consistent with the quark model predictions. The KM matrix element |V _cb | is determined to be |V _cb |=0.040±0.010, a value somewhat smaller than is usually chosen.     

Discovery potentials of doubly charmed baryons

The existence of doubly heavy flavor baryons has not been well established experimentally so far. In this Letter we systematically investigate the weak decays of the doubly charmed baryons, Ξ~(++)_(cc)and Ξ~+_(cc), which should be helpful for experimental searches for these particles. The long-distance contributions are first studied in the doubly heavy baryon decays, and found to be significantly enhanced. Comparing all the processes, Ξ~(++)_(cc)→Λ~+_cK~-π~+π~+andΞ~+_cπ~+ are the most favorable decay modes for experiments to search for doubly heavy baryons.     

Spectra of charmed and bottom baryons with hyperfine interaction

Up to now,the excited charmed and bottom baryon states have still not been well studied experimentally or theoretically.In this paper,we predict the mass of ?*b,the only L=0 baryon state which has not been observed,to be 6069.2 Me V.The spectra of charmed and bottom baryons with the orbital angular momentum L = 1 are studied in two popular constituent quark models,the Goldstone boson exchange(GBE) model and the one gluon exchange(OGE) hyperfine interaction model.Inserting the latest experimental data from the "Review of Particle Physics",we find that in the GBE model,there exist some multiplets(Σc(b),Ξ c(b)and ?c(b)) in which the total spin of the three quarks in their lowest energy states is 3/2,but in the OGE model there is no such phenomenon.This is the most important difference between the GBE and OGE models.These results can be tested in the near future.We suggest more efforts to study the excited charmed and bottom baryons both theoretically and experimentally,not only for the abundance of baryon spectra,but also for determining which hyperfine interaction model best describes nature.     

Phenomenology of Σ+→pℓ+ℓ− and the structure of the weak non-leptonic Hamiltonian

The problem of the radiative non-leptonic weak baryon decays is reviewed in light of the new experimental findings. With the aim of exploring the structure of the weak non-leptonic Hamiltonian, we present a detailed phenomenological analysis of Σ⁺→p?⁺?^? transitions. Lower and upper limits for rates derivable with standard physics are determined as Γ(Σ⁺→pe ⁺ e ^?)/Σ⁺→pγ)≧7.2×10^?3 and 1/1210? Γ(Σ⁺→pe ⁺ e ⁺)/Γ(Σ⁺→pe ⁺ e ^?)?1/120. From existing data on Σ⁺→pe ⁺ e ^? we obtain limits on the values of the charge radius form factors |c ₁/b ₁|?5;|c ₂/b ₁|? 10, where the magnetic form factor is given by the Σ⁺→dγ, decay asb ₁(0)= 6.9±0.9 MeV. The short distance contribution of the QCD corrected single quarks→dλ transition is shown not to play a dominant role in these decays.     

The transition form factors for semi-leptonic weak decays of J/ψ in QCD sum rules

Within the standard model, we investigate the semi-leptonic weak decays of J/ψ. The various form factors of J/ψ making the transition to a single charmed meson (D^(*) _(d,s)) are studied in the framework of QCD sum rules. These form factors fully determine the rates of the weak semi-leptonic decays of J/ψ and provide valuable information on non-perturbative QCD effects. Our results indicate that the decay rate of the semi-leptonic weak decay mode J/ψ→D^(*)- _s+e⁺+ν_e is at the order of 10^-10. PACS 13.20.Gd; 13.25.Gv; 11.55.Hx     

Flavor non-universal gauge interactions and anomalies in B-meson decays

Motivated by flavor non-universaity and anomalies in semi-leptonic B-meson decays, we present a general and systematic discussion about how to construct anomaly-free U(1)' gauge theories based on an extended standard model with only three right-handed neutrinos. If all standard model fermions are vector-like under this new gauge symmetry, the most general family non-universal charge assignments,(a,b,c) for three-generation quarks and(d,e,f)for leptons, need satisfy just one condition to be anomaly-free, 3(a+b+c) =-(d+e+f). Any assignment can be linear combinations of five independent anomaly-free solutions. We also illustrate how such models can generally lead to flavor-changing interactions and easily resolve the anomalies in B-meson decays. Probes with B_s-B_s mixing, decay into τ~±, dilepton and dijet searches at colliders are also discussed.     

Joint angular decay distributions in exclusive weak decays of heavy mesons and baryons

We present the results of a comprehensive analysis of the angular decay distributions occurring in the weak exclusive decays of the lowest lying charm and bottom mesons and baryons. We deal with both semileptonic and nonleptonic decays and discuss various decay channels and their subsequent cascade decay chains including lepton mass effects. In the case of baryons we include polarization effects for the parent charm or bottom baryon. We list in table form general formulae which allow one to write down the joint angular decay distributions for the cascade decaysA→B(→b ₁+...+b _n )+C(→c ₁+...+c _n ), for all spin casess _A ≤1/2 ands _B ,s _C ≤3/2 for the prominent decays ofB andC. Two examples involving meson and baryon decays are discussed in detail.     

Tests of various models for the weak decays of heavy flavour states

It is discussed how two models which were proposed to explain the lifetime difference betweenD ⁰ andD ⁺ mesons can be subjected to further tests. These two models are the “SU (4) 20-plet dominance” model and the “gluon bremstrahlung” model forW exchange. The tests can be performed by studying inclusive decays—e.g.,F ⁺ lifetime or semi-leptonic branching ratio—or special exclusive modes in the non-leptonic and semileptonic decays. It is suggested thatF ⁺ semi-leptonic decays can lead to glueball production. The decays of bottom mesons are discussed in this context, too.     

B c-meson decays and lifetime within QCD sum rules

On the basis of three-point sum rules, the form factors for the semileptonic decays B _c ⁺ → B _s(B _s ^* )l ⁺ ν _l are calculated with allowance for α _s/v Coulomb corrections for the heavy quarkonium. Generalized relations associated with spin symmetry within the approach combining heavy-quark effective theory and nonrelativistic QCD are derived for form factors in the region of recoil momenta close to zero. The nonleptonic decays of the B _c meson are studied on the basis of the factorization hypothesis. By summing the main exclusive modes of c-quark decays and by using the results of a previous analysis of b-quark decays, the B _c-meson lifetime is estimated within QCD sumrules and within nonrelativistic QCD.     

Isospin invariance,CP violation and B−B̄ mixing

With large B⁰−B̄⁰ mixing, the CP asymmetry of certain B decays become nearly maximal. However, the clear identification of relevant B meson decays required for experimental observation of such effects is difficult. We point out that symmetry relations among various B meson decay channels lead to additional constraints which can be useful in extracting CP violating amplitudes. As an example, we consider decay amplitudes to final states containing both a J/ψ and a K_S, whose interference terms provide information on CP violation. We show that these decays are ΔI=0 transitions and obtain isospin relations between the direct terms in the amplitude and experimental results from corresponding decays involving charged kaons.     

Measurement of various decay modes of charmed particlesD 0,D +,D s + andΛ s c

In the CERN NA 32 experiment a high-resolution silicon vertex detector and a purely topological approach have been used to investigate various decays of charmed particles. We observe ～620 fully reconstructed decays ofD ⁰ in 12 channels and determine the branching ratios. For fourD ⁰ decay modes involving a single (unseen) π⁰ the small and narrowD ^*+?D ⁰ mass difference is used to measure their branching ratios. We also observe ～280 fully reconstructedD ⁺ decays in 10 channels, ～90D _s ⁺ decays in 11 channels as well as 160Λ _s ^c and 18 decay channels ofD ⁺. For theD _s ⁺ , we measure the branching fractions within a subset of 16 three- and five-prong decay channels. For theΛ _s ^c , we determine the branching fractions within a sample of 11 three- and five-prong decay channels, nearly all involving a proton.     

Skewed parton distributions for B\to \pi transitions

We investigate the b-u skewed parton distributions (SPDs) for transitions and determine the contributions from several sources (overlaps of soft light-cone wave functions, quark-antiquark annihilations and meson resonances). The transition form factors, which are relevant in exclusive semi-leptonic and non-leptonic B-decays, are obtained by integrating the b-u SPDs over the momentum fraction x. A phenomenological determination of the relevant parameters allows us to predict the form factors and to obtain the branching ratios for semi-leptonic decays. Received: 18 June 1999 / Revised version: 8 September 1999 / Published online: 3 November 1999     

Non-leptonic decays of charmed and beautiful particles

By fitting simultaneously the values of ζ-1/N _c and α _s (m _c ² ) on the inclusive rates of the Cabibbo allowed decaysD, F→PP andD→PV, which are independent of the final state interactions, we find ζ=0 and α _s (m _c ² )=0.44. This value for ζ is the same found by other authors [1, 4]. In order to explain the rescattering of the final states produced in the non-leptonic decays of charmedD-particles and to make theoretical predictions for all the exclusive channels, we propose a rescattering model based on the production of resonances inSU(3)-symmetry. In thePP sector we predict a new multiplet of meson resonances 0⁺ which allows us, with few free parameters, to obtain a satisfactory agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data. Unfortunately, such an agreement cannot be obtained in thePV sector, for which the presence of other rescattering effects is needed to balance the exotic channelD ⁺→PV. In thePV sector we do not use any free parameter. Finally, we also make predictions for the Cabibbo allowed decay channelsB→PP, PV, without considering in this case the final state interactions, because of the high energy of the decay products.     

Some comments on selection rules for nonleptonic decays of charmed particles

We show that even if only the decays of charmed mesons into two body final states are concerned, the Δn _t=0 rule is stillnot equivalent to sextet dominance. We also isolate the significant contribution of each quark diagram to non-leptonic decays of charmed particles. Thereby pointing out that the recent SLAC observation of Λ _c ⁺ →K ^?Δ⁺⁺ has already given evidence that theW-exchange diagram may be important in charmed baryon decays.     

Weak decays of J/ψ: the non-leptonic case

In our previous study, we calculated the transition form factors of J/ψ→D^(*) _(s) using the QCD sum rules. Based on the factorization approximation, the form factors obtained can be applied to evaluate the weak non-leptonic decay rates of J/ψ→D^(*) _(s)+M, where M stands for a light pseudoscalar or vector meson. We predict that the branching ratio for inclusive non-leptonic two-body weak decays of J/ψ, which are realized via the spectator mechanism, can be as large as 1.3×10^-8; in particular, the branching ratio of J/ψ→D^*± _s+ρ^∓ can reach 5.3×10^-9. Such values will be marginally accessed by the ability of BESIII, which will begin running very soon. PACS  13.20.Gd; 13.25.Gv     

The Weinberg-Salam model and weak radiative decays of KL mesons

Weak radiative decays K_L → 2γ and K_L → π⁺π^?γ are considered in the Weinberg-Salam model for weak interactions and in the framework of asymptotically free gauge theory (AFGT) for strong interactions (SI). The problem of calculation of the decays at short and large distances is discussed. It is shown that only the large distance contribution is essential for each decay. The estimates of these contributions being rough, it proves impossible to compare them with experiment. However, using anomalous PCAC theory we derive the relation connecting the contributions for these two decays and, hence, the decay amplitudes via the known constants. Experimental data confirm the obtained result. The important result of the paper is that the matrix elements of the effective Hamiltonian specifying the decays at short distances are not dynamically enhanced, unlike the case of weak non-leptonic amplitudes.     

An improved measurement of R b using a double tagging method

This paper describes an update of the double tagging measurement of the fraction, R _b, of Z⁰ → bb? events in hadronic Z⁰ decays, with statistics improved by including the data collected in 1994. The presence of electrons or muons from semileptonic decays of bottom hadrons and the detection of bottom hadron decay vertices were used together to obtain an event sample enriched in Z⁰ → bb? decays. The efficiency of the bb? event tagging was obtained from the data by comparing the numbers of events having a bottom signature in either one or both thrust hemispheres. Efficiency correlations between opposite event hemispheres are small (< 0.5%) and well understood through comparisons between the real and simulated data samples. A value of R _b = 0.2175 ± 0.0014 ± 0.0017 was obtained, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. The uncertainty on the decay width Γ(Z⁰ → cc?) is not included in these errors. The result depends on R _c as follows: $${? Delta R_{? b}?er R_{? b}}=-0.084{? Delta R_{? c}?er R_{? c}},$$ where ΔR _c is the deviation of R _c from the value 0.172 predicted by the Standard Model.     

Loop induced flavor changing neutral decays of the top quark in a general two-Higgs-doublet model

Decays of the top quark induced by flavor changing neutral currents (FCNC) are known to be extremely rare events within the Standard Model. This is so not only for the decay modes into gauge bosons, but most notably in the case of the Higgs channels, e.g., t→H_SM+c, with a branching fraction of 10⁻¹³ at most. Therefore, detection of FCNC top quark decays in a future high-energy, and high-luminosity, machine like the LHC or the LC would be an indisputable signal of new physics. In this paper we show that within the simplest extension of the SM, namely the general two-Higgs-doublet model, the FCNC top quark decays into Higgs bosons, t→(h⁰,H⁰,A⁰)+c, can be the most favored FCNC modes — comparable or even more efficient than the gluon channel t→g+c. In both cases the optimal results are obtained for Type II models. However, only the Higgs channels can have rates reaching the detectable level (10⁻⁵), with a maximum of order 10⁻⁴ which is compatible with the charged Higgs bounds from radiative B-meson decays. We compare with the previous results obtained in the Higgs sector of the MSSM.