U. Binder

Observation of B0-B0 mixing

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring we have searched in three different ways for B0- B 0 mixing in ϒ (4S) decays. One explicitly mixed event, a decay ϒ (4S)→B0B0, has been completely reconstructed. Furthermore, we observe a 4.0 standard deviation signal of 24.8 events with like-sign lepton pairs and a 3.0 standard deviation signal of 4.1 events containing one reconstructed B0( B 0) and an additional fast l+(l)−. This leads to the conclusion that B0- B 0 mixing is substantial. For the mixing parameter we obtain r=0.21±0.08.

Argus: A universal detector at DORIS II

Abstract The detector ARGUS has been designed as a universal tool to investigate final states from e + e − annihilation processes in the energy range of the ϒ resonances. ARGUS started operation in October 1982 and has since successfully taken data at the ϒ(1S), ϒ(2S) and ϒ(4S) energies, and in the nearby continuum. The detector combines excellent charged particle identification and good photon energy resolution over more than 90% of the full solid angle. A particle originating from the interaction vertex and leaving the beam tube traverses the following components: the vertex drift chamber, the main drift chamber which determines its momentum and specific ionization, the time-of-flight system through which its velocity is determined, and the electromagnetic calorimeter. Muons pass through the magnet coils and the flux return yoke and finally hit the muon chamber system which surrounds the detector. The momentum resolution of ARGUS is σ (p T ) P T = (0.01 2 + (0.009p T [ GeV /c]) 2 ) 1 2 , the photon energy resolution in the barrel shower counters is σ (E) E = ( 0.072 2 +0.065 2 E[ GeV ] ) 1 2 . Combining the information from all p devices, more than 80% of all charged hadrons can be recognized unambiguously. The electron-hadron and muon-hadron rejection rates are 1:200 and 1:50 respectively.

An improved upper limit on the ντ-mass from the decay π−→π−π−π−π+π+ντ

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II, we have observed the decay τ − → π − π − π − π + π + ν τ in tau-pair events produced at center-or-mass energies between 9.4 and 10.6 GeV. From the 5π invariant mass distribution we derive an upper limit of m ( ν τ ) c 2 at the 95% confidence level. The branching ratio for this decay channel is found to be (0.064±0.023±0.01)%.

B meson decays into charmonium states

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at the e +e− storage ring DORIS II, we have studied the colour-suppressed decays B → J ψ X and B→ψ′ X. We find the inclusive branching ratios for these two channels to be (1.07±0.16±0.19) % and (0.46±0.17±0.11) %, respectively. From a sample of reconstructed exclusive events the masses of the B0 and B+ mesons are determined to be (5279.5±1.6±3.0) MeV c 2 and (5278.5±1.8±3.0) MeV c 2 , respectively. Branching ratios are determined from five events of the type B 0 → J ψ K ∗0 and three of B+→J/ψ K+. In the same data sample a search for B0→e+e−, μ+μ− and μ±e∓ leads to upper limits for such decays.

An Improved Upper Limit on the tau-neutrino Mass from the Decay tau- ---> pi- pi- pi- pi+ pi+ tau-neutrino

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II, we have observed the decay τ − → π − π − π − π + π + ν τ in tau-pair events produced at center-or-mass energies between 9.4 and 10.6 GeV. From the 5π invariant mass distribution we derive an upper limit of m ( ν τ ) c 2 at the 95% confidence level. The branching ratio for this decay channel is found to be (0.064±0.023±0.01)%.

Evidence for the decay τ−→ντωπ−

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at DORIS II, we have analyzed tau decays into π − π − π + π 0 ν τ . The branching ratio was determined to be (4.2±0.5±0.9)%. From a study of the three pion sub-system, we find evidence for the decay τ − → ωπ − ν τ with a branching ratio of (1.5±0.3±0.3)%. The ωπ − system is found to be predominantly in a J P =1 − state. There is no evidence for second-class axial-vector currents. The spectral function for the ωπ − final state is in agreement with a prediction based on CVC and σ e + e −→ ωπ 0 .

Measurement of tau decays into three charged pions

We report a study of the decay τ−→τ−τ+τ−vτ using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring. Tau pairs were produced bye+e− annihilation at centre-of-mass energies near 10 GeV. We have observed about 1,700 events, corresponding to a branching ratio for τ−→τ−τ+τ−vτ of (5.6±0.7)%. The dominant mode for this decay is observed to beρ0π− in aJp=1+ spin state. Theρ0π− mass spectrum shows a broad enhancement near 1.10 GeV/c2, which has the properties expected for theA1.

Direct evidence for W exchange in charmed meson decay

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at DORIS II, we have observed a signal of 36.7±8.0 events in the decay channel D 0 →K s 0 φ . In the same data sample, we have observed the well established decay D 0 →K s 0 π + π − , and find the ratio, Br(D) 0 → K s 0 φ) Br(D) 0 → K s 0 π + π − ) , to be 0.186±0.052. The substantial value of (0.99±0.32±0.17)% then derived for the branching ratio for D 0 → K 0 φ gives direct evidence that W exchange contributes D 0 decay.

Reconstruction of B mesons

Abstract B mesons have been reconstructed in five decay channels of the type B →D ∗ ±nπ(n=1,2,3) using data accumulated by the ARGUS experiment at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II at DESY. In total, we find 40 neutral B mesons above a background of 15±6 events with a mass of (5278.2±1.0±3.0) MeV/ c 2 and 32 charged B mesons above a background of 17±6 events with a mass of (5275.8±1.3±3.0) MeV/ c 2 . The decays B 0 D ∗+ π − π 0 , B 0 D ∗+ π − π − π + , and B − → D ∗+ π − π − π 0 have been observed for the first time. We find substantially smaller branching ratios for the decay modes B 0 → D ∗+ π − and B − → D ∗+ π − π − than previously published by the CLEO collaboration.

An upper limit on the mass of the tau neutrino

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II, we have measured the vτ energy spectrum in the decay π+π−π±vτ of τ leptons produced near s =10 GeV . From this energy spectrum, we derive an upper limit of m(v τ ) MeV c 2 at the 95% confidence level.