Abstract

A search for a long-lived scalar particle $\chi$ is performed, looking for the decay ${B^+ \to K^+ \chi}$ with ${\chi \to \mu^+\mu^-}$ in $pp$ collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3\, {\rm fb}^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8$\,$TeV. This new scalar particle, predicted by Hidden Sector models, is assumed to have a narrow width. The signal would manifest itself as an excess in the dimuon invariant mass distribution over the Standard Model background. No significant excess is observed in the accessible ranges of mass ${250 < m(\chi) < 4700\,\rm MeV/c^2}$ and lifetime ${0.1 < \tau(\chi) < 1000\,\rm ps}$. Upper limits on the branching fraction $\mathcal{B}(B^+ \to K^+ \chi (\mu^+\mu^-))$ at 95% confidence level are set as a function of $m(\chi)$ and $\tau(\chi)$, varying between $2\times10^{-10}$ and $10^{-7}$. These are the most stringent limits to date. The limits are interpreted in the context of a model with a light inflaton particle.

Highlights

  • A search for a long-lived scalar particle χ is performed, looking for the decay Bþ → Kþχ with χ → μþμ−

  • The limits are interpreted in the context of a model with a light inflaton particle

  • The Higgs portal is mediated by a light particle, namely the inflaton, associated with the field that generates the inflation of the early Universe

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Summary

Introduction

A search for a long-lived scalar particle χ is performed, looking for the decay Bþ → Kþχ with χ → μþμ−. The signal would manifest itself as an excess in the dimuon invariant mass distribution over the Standard Model background.

Results
Conclusion

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