Rare decay K+ --> pi+ nunu at the next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD

We calculate the charm quark contribution to the rare decay Kappa(+)--> pi(+) nunu in the next-to-next-to-leading order of QCD. This new contribution reduces the theoretical uncertainty in the relevant parameter Pc from +/-10.1% down to +/-2.4%, corresponding to scale uncertainties of +/-1.3%, +/-1.0%, +/-0.006, and +/-1.2 degrees in Beta(Kappa(+) --> pi(+) nunu) and in |V(td)|, sin2(Beta), and gamma extracted from the Kappa --> pinunu system. The error in Rho(c) = 0.37 +/- 0.04 is now fully dominated by the current uncertainty of +/-3.8% in the charm quark mass m(c). We find Beta(Kappa(+) --> pi(+)nunu) = (8.0 +/- 1.1) x 10(-11), where the quoted error stems almost entirely from the present uncertainties in m(c) and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa elements.     

Measurement of B(D+-->K(*0)l(+)nu(l))

Using 13.53 fb(-1) of CLEO data, we have measured the ratios of the branching fractions R(+)(e),R(+)(mu) and the combined branching fraction ratio R(+)(l), defined by R(+)(l)=[B(D+-->K(*0)l(+)nu(l))]/[B(D+-->K-pi(+)pi(+))]. We find R(+)(e)=0.74+/-0.04+/-0.05, R(+)(mu)=0.72+/-0.10+/-0.05, and R(+)(l)=0.74+/-0.04+/-0.05, where the first and second errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. The known branching fraction B(D+-->K-pi(+)pi(+)) leads to B(D+-->K(*0)e(+)nu(e))=(6.7+/-0.4+/-0.5+/-0.4)%, B(D+-->K(*0)mu(+)nu(mu))=(6.5+/-0.9+/-0.5+/-0.4)%, and B(D+-->K(*0)l(+)nu(l))=(6.7+/-0.4+/-0.5+/-0.4)%, where the third error is due to the uncertainty in B(D+-->K-pi(+)pi(+)).     

Measurement of the branching ratio and form factor of K(L)-->mu(+)mu(-)gamma

We report on the analysis of the rare decay K(L)-->mu(+)mu(-)gamma the 1997 data from the KTeV experiment at Fermilab. A total of 9327 candidate events are observed with 2.4% background, representing a factor of 40 increase in statistics over the current world sample. We find that B(K(L)-->mu(+)mu(-)gamma) = (3.62 +/- 0.04(stat) +/- 0.08(syst)) x 10(-7). The form factor parameter alpha(K*) is measured to be alpha(K*) = -0.160(+0.026)(-0.028). In addition, we make the first measurement of the parameter alpha from the D'Ambrosio-Isidori-Portolés form factor, finding alpha = -1.54 +/- 0.10. In that model, this alpha measurement limits the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa parameter rho>-0.2.     

Branching ratio measurement of the decay K(L) --> e(+)e(-)mu(+)mu(-)

We have collected a 43 event sample of the decay K(L)-->e(+)e(-)mu(+)mu(-) with negligible backgrounds and measured its branching ratio to be (2.62+/-0.40+/-0.17)x10(-9). We see no evidence for CP violation in this decay. In addition, we set the 90% confidence upper limit on the combined branching ratios for the lepton flavor violating decays K(L)-->e(+/-)e(+/-)mu(-/+)mu(-/+) at B(K(L)-->e(+/-)e(+/-)mu(-/+)mu(-/+))< or =1.23x10(-10), assuming a uniform phase space distribution.     

Measurement of the Michel parameter rho in muon decay

The TWIST Collaboration has measured the Michel parameter rho in normal muon decay, mu(+)--> e(+)nu(e)nu (mu). In the standard model, rho = 3/4. Deviations from this value imply mixing of left- and right-handed muon and electron couplings. We find rho=0.750 80+/-0.000 32(stat) +/- 0.000 97(syst) +/- 0.000 23, where the last uncertainty represents the dependence of rho on the Michel parameter eta. This result sets new limits on the W(L)-W(R) mixing angle in left-right symmetric models.     

Observation of orbitally excited B(s) mesons

We report the observation of two narrow resonances consistent with states of orbitally excited (L=1) B_(s) mesons using 1 fb;(-1) of pp[over ] collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We use two-body decays into K- and B+ mesons reconstructed as B(+)-->J/psiK(+), J/psi-->mu(+)mu(-) or B(+)-->D[over ](0)pi(+), D[over ](0)-->K(+)pi(-). We deduce the masses of the two states to be m(B_(s1))=5829.4+/-0.7 MeV/c(2) and m(B_(s2);(*))=5839.6+/-0.7 MeV/c;(2).     

Observation of the decay K- --> pi(-)mu(+)mu(-) and measurements of the branching ratios for K+/- --> pi(+/-)mu(+)mu(-)

Using data collected with the HyperCP (E871) spectrometer during the 1997 fixed-target run at Fermilab, we report the first observation of the decay K--->pi(-)mu(+)mu(-) and new measurements of the branching ratios for K+/--->pi(+/-)mu(+)mu(-). By combining the branching ratios for the decays K+-->pi(+)mu(+)mu(-) and K--->pi(-)mu(+)mu(-), we measure Gamma(K+/--->pi(+/-)mu(+)mu(-))/Gamma(K+/--->all) = (9.8+/-1.0+/-0.5)x10(-8). The CP asymmetry between the rates of the two decay modes is [Gamma(K+-->pi(+)mu(+)mu(-))-Gamma(K--->pi(-)mu(+)mu(-))]/[Gamma(K+-->pi(+)mu(+)mu(-))+Gamma(K--->pi(-)mu(+)mu(-))] = -0.02+/-0.11+/-0.04.     

Evidence for the decay sigma+ --> pmu+ mu-

We report the first evidence for the decay Sigma(+)-->pmu(+)mu(-) from data taken by the HyperCP (E871) experiment at Fermilab. Based on three observed events, the branching ratio is B(Sigma(+)-->pmu(+)mu(-))=[8.6(+6.6)(-5.4)(stat)+/-5.5(syst)]x10(-8). The narrow range of dimuon masses may indicate that the decay proceeds via a neutral intermediate state, Sigma(+)-->pP(0),P0-->mu(+)mu(-) with a P0 mass of 214.3+/-0.5 MeV/c(2) and branching ratio B(Sigma(+)-->pP(0),P0-->mu(+)mu(-))=[3.1(+2.4)(-1.9)(stat)+/-1.5(syst)]x10(-8).     

Branching fractions and CP asymmetries in B0-->K+ K- K0 S and B+-->K+ K0 S K0 S

We measure the branching fractions and CP asymmetries in the decays B0-->K(+)K(-)K(0)(S) and B+-->K(+)K(0)(S)K(0)(S) using a sample of approximately 122x10(6) BB pairs collected by the BABAR detector. From a time-dependent analysis of the K(+)K(-)K(0)(S) sample that excludes phiK(0)(S), the values of the CP-violation parameters are S=-0.56+/-0.25+/-0.04 and C=-0.10+/-0.19+/-0.10, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. We confirm that the final state is nearly purely CP even and extract the standard model parameter sin(2beta=0.57+/-0.26+/-0.04(+0.17)(-0) where the last error is due to uncertainty on the CP content. We present the first measurement of the CP-violating charge asymmetry A(CP)(B+-->K(+)K(0)(S)K(0)(S))=-0.04+/-0.11+/-0.02. The branching fractions are B(B0-->K+K-K0)=(23.8+/-2.0+/-1.6)x10(-6) and B(B+-->K(+)K(0)(S)K(0)(S))=(10.7+/-1.2+/-1.0)x10(-6).     

Search for the rare decays B-->Kl(+)l(-) and B-->K(*)l(+)l(-)

We present results from a search for the flavor-changing neutral current decays B-->Kl(+)l(-) and B-->K(*)l(+)l(-), where l(+)l(-) is either an e(+)e(-) or mu(+)mu(-) pair. The data sample comprises 22.7 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->B(-)B decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B Factory. We obtain the 90% C.L. upper limits B(B-->Kl(+)l(-))<0.51 x 10(-6) and B(B-->K(*)l(+)l(-))<3.1 x 10(-6), close to standard model predictions for these branching fractions. We have also obtained limits on the lepton-family-violating decays B-->Ke+/-mu(-/+) and B-->K(*)e(+/-)mu(-/+).     

Study of the K(0)(L) --> pi(+)pi(-)gamma Direct Emission Vertex

We have performed studies of the K(0)(L)-->pi(+)pi(-)gamma direct emission ( DE) and inner Bremsstrahlung ( IB) vertices, based on data collected by KTeV during the 1996 Fermilab fixed target run. We find a(1)/a(2) = -0.737+/-0.034 GeV2 for the DE form-factor parameter in the rho-propagator parametrization, and report on fits of the form factor to linear and quadratic functions as well. We concurrently measure gamma(K(0)(L)-->pi(+)pi(-)gamma,E(*)(gamma)>20 MeV)/gamma(K(0)(L)-->pi(+)pi(-)) = (20.8+/-0.3)x10(-3), and a K(0)(L)-->pi(+)pi(-)gamma DE/(DE+IB) branching ratio of 0.683+/-0.011.     

Measurement of the absolute branching fraction of Ds+ --> tau+ nutau decay

Using a sample of tagged D(s)(+) decays collected near the D(s)(*+/-)D(s)(-/+) peak production energy in e(+)e(-) collisions with the CLEO-c detector, we study the leptonic decay D(s)(+)-->tau(+)nu(tau) via the decay channel tau(+)-->e(+)nu(e)nu(tau). We measure B(D(s)(+)-->tau(+)nu(tau))=(6.17+/-0.71+/-0.34)%, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. Combining this result with our measurements of D(s)(+)-->mu(+)nu(mu) and D(s)(+)-->tau(+)nu(tau) (via tau(+)-->pi(+)nu(tau)), we determine f(D(s))=(274+/-10+/-5) MeV.     

Search for doubly charged higgs boson pair production in the decay to mu(+)mu(+)mu(-)mu(-) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

A search for pair production of doubly charged Higgs bosons in the process pp -->H(++)H(--) -->mu(+)mu(+)mu(-)mu(-) is performed with the D0 run II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The analysis is based on a sample of inclusive dimuon data collected at an energy of sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 113 pb(-1). In the absence of a signal, 95% confidence level mass limits of M(H(+/-+/-)(L))>118.4 GeV/c(2) and M(H(+/-+/-)(R))>98.2 GeV/c(2) are set for left-handed and right-handed doubly charged Higgs bosons, respectively, assuming 100% branching into muon pairs.     

Study of B Decays to Charmonium States: B-->eta(c)K and B --> chi(c0)K

In a sample of 9.66x10(6)B&Bmacr; pairs collected with the CLEO detector we make the first observation of B decays to an eta(c) and a kaon. We measure branching fractions B(B+-->eta(c)K+) = (0.69(+0.26)(-0.21)+/-0.08+/-0.20)x10(-3) and B(B degrees -->eta(c)K degrees ) = (1.09(+0.55)(-0.42)+/-0.12+/-0.31)x10(-3), where the first error is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is from the eta(c) branching fraction uncertainty. From these we extract the eta(c) decay constant in the factorization approximation, f(eta(c)) = 335+/-75 MeV. We also search for B decays to a chi(c0) and a kaon. No evidence for a signal is found and we set 90% C.L. upper limits: B(B+-->chi(c0)K+)<4.8x10(-4) and B(B degrees -->chi(c0)K degrees )<5.0x10(-4).     

New limit on the T-violating transverse muon polarization in K+-->pi0mu+nu decays

A search for T-violating transverse muon polarization (P(T)) in the K+-->pi(0)mu(+)nu decay was performed using kaon decays at rest. A new improved value P(T)=-0.0017+/-0.0023(stat)+/-0.0011(syst) was obtained giving an upper limit |P(T)|<0.0050. The T-violation parameter was determined to be Imxi=-0.0053+/-0.0071(stat)+/-0.0036(syst) giving an upper limit |Imxi|<0.016.     

Improved branching ratio measurement for the decay K(0)(L) --> &mgr;(+)&mgr;(-)

We report results from Experiment 871, performed at the BNL AGS, of a measurement of the branching ratio K(0)(L)-->&mgr;(+)&mgr;(-) with respect to the CP-violating mode K(0)(L)-->pi(+)pi(-). This experiment detected over 6200 candidate &mgr;(+)&mgr;(-) events, a factor of 6 more than that seen in all previous measurements combined. The resulting branching ratio gamma(K(0)(L)-->&mgr;(+)&mgr;(-))/gamma(K(0)(L)-->pi(+)pi(-)) = (3. 474+/-0.057)x10(-6) leads to a branching fraction B(K(0)(L)-->&mgr;(+)&mgr;(-)) = (7.18+/-0.17)x10(-9), which is consistent with the current world average, and reduces the uncertainty in this decay mode by a factor of 3.     

Next-to-next-to-leading-order charm-quark contribution to the CP violation parameter ϵ(K) and ΔM(K)

The observables ?(K) and ΔM(K) play a prominent role in particle physics due to their sensitivity to new physics at short distances. To take advantage of this potential, a firm theoretical prediction of the standard-model background is essential. The charm-quark contribution is a major source of theoretical uncertainty. We address this issue by performing a next-to-next-to-leading-order QCD analysis of the charm-quark contribution η(cc) to the effective |ΔS|=2 Hamiltonian in the standard model. We find a large positive shift of 36%, leading to η(cc)=1.87(76). This result might cast doubt on the validity of the perturbative expansion; we discuss possible solutions. Finally, we give an updated value of the standard-model prediction for |?(K)|=1.81(28)×10(-3) and ΔM(K)(SD)=3.1(1.2)×10(-15) GeV.     

Evidence for B+-->omegal+nu

We have searched for the decay B+-->omegal(+)nu (l=e or mu) in 78 fb(-1) of Upsilon(4S) data (85x10(6)BB events) accumulated with the Belle detector. The final state is fully reconstructed using the omega decay into pi(+)pi(-)pi(0), combined with detector hermeticity to estimate the neutrino momentum. A signal of 414+/-125 events is found in the data, corresponding to a branching fraction of (1.3+/-0.4+/-0.2+/-0.3)x10(-4), where the first two errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. The third error reflects the estimated form-factor uncertainty.     

Experimental study of the radiative decays K+-->mu(+)nue(+)e(-) and K+-->e(+)nue(+)e(-)

Experiment 865 at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron obtained 410 K+-->e(+)nue(+)e(-) and 2679 K+-->mu(+)nue(+)e(-) events including 10% and 19% background. The branching ratios were measured to be [2.48+/-0.14(stat)+/-0.14(syst)]x10(-8) (m(ee)>150 MeV) and (7.06+/-0.16+/-0.26)x10(-8) (m(ee)>145 MeV), respectively. Results for the decay form factors are presented.     

Measurement of the muonic branching fractions of the narrow upsilon resonances

The decay branching fractions of the three narrow Upsilon resonances to mu(+)mu(-) have been measured by analyzing about 4.3 fb(-1) e(+)e(-) data collected with the CLEO III detector. The branching fraction B(Upsilon(1S)-->mu(+)mu(-))=(2.49+/-0.02+/-0.07)% is consistent with the current world average, but B(Upsilon(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-))=(2.03+/-0.03+/-0.08)% and B(Upsilon(3S)-->mu(+)mu(-))=(2.39+/-0.07+/-0.10)% are significantly larger than prior results. These new muonic branching fractions imply a narrower total decay width for the Upsilon(2S) and Upsilon(3S) resonances and lower other branching fractions that rely on these decays in their determination.