Abstract
A search for the decays B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} and B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} is performed using data collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 2 fb^{-1}, respectively. No signal is observed. Assuming no contribution from B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} decays, an upper limit on the branching fraction B(B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-})<9.4(11.2)×10^{-9} is obtained at 90(95)% confidence level. If no B_{s}^{0}→e^{+}e^{-} contribution is assumed, a limit of B(B^{0}→e^{+}e^{-})<2.5(3.0)×10^{-9} is determined at 90(95)% confidence level. These upper limits are more than one order of magnitude lower than the previous values.
Highlights
Searches for rare particle decays provide ideal probes for contributions from physics processes beyond the standard model (SM)
Recent measurements of decays involving b → slþl− transitions hint at deviations from SM predictions in lepton-flavor universality tests [1,2,3,4,5,6] and motivate measurements of decay rates into final states involving leptons
Following the observation of the decay B0s → μþμ− [7,8], the search for B0s → eþe− and B0 → eþe− decays provides an independent test of leptonflavor universality
Summary
Searches for rare particle decays provide ideal probes for contributions from physics processes beyond the standard model (SM). Determined from a fit to the data and normalized to those of the Bþ → J=ψKþ decay, where the J=ψ meson decays to eþe−, which has a precisely measured branching fraction [12] and a similar dielectron signature in the detector. Simulated samples are used to optimize the candidate selection, estimate selection efficiencies and describe the expected invariant-mass shapes of the signal candidates and background decays.
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