V. Shevchenko

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.

Search for hadronic b→u decays

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we searched for b→u transitions in exclusive hadronic B meson decays. A systematic analysis of B decays into pions has been performed for decay modes with 2–7 pions in the final state. In none of the decays a positive signal was observed. The upper limits obtained on various branching ratios are consistent with the current model predictions.

Observation of Semileptonic Charmless B Meson Decays

Abstract A detailed study of the lepton momentum spectrum in υ (4 S ) decays has been made using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e + e − storage ring at DESY. In the region from 2.3 to 2.6 GeV/ c , which is above the endpoint for contributions from B decays via b → c transitions, we observe 41±10 events in excess of known backgrounds. These events are interpreted as a signal for b → u transitions. A model dependent value of 0.10±0.01 is obtained for the ratio of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements | V ub |/| V cv| , using the Altarelli et al. model.

Casimir scaling as a test of QCD vacuum models

Recent accurate lattice measurements of static potentials between sources in various representations of the gauge group SU(3) performed by Bali, provide a crucial test of different QCD vacuum models. The Casimir scaling of the potential observed for all measured distances can be explained as being due to strong suppression of higher cumulants contribution.Recent accurate measurements of static potentials between sources in various representations of the gauge group SU(3) performed by G.Bali provide a crucial test of the QCD vacuum models and different approaches to confinement. The Casimir scaling of the potential observed for all measured distances implies strong suppression of higher cumulant contributions. The consequences for the instanton vacuum model and the spectrum of the QCD string are also discussed.

Exclusive hadronic decays ofB mesons

Using the ARGUS detector at thee+e− storage ring DORIS II, we have measuredB decays into exclusive final states containing aD orD* meson plus several pions, or containing aJ/ψ or ψ′ meson plus a strange particle. Some of these channels have not been seen before, while others represent updated measurements of previous results. The branching ratios are compared with the predictions of the model of Bauer, Stech and Wirbel. Using the cleanest decay channels, the mass of the charged and neutralB meson are found to bemB−=(5280.5±1.0±2.0) MeV/c2 andmB0=(5279.6±0.7±2.0) MeV/c2 respectively, yielding a mass differencemB0−mB−=(−0.9±1.2±0.5) MeV/c2.

Electron Bernstein wave assisted plasma current start-up in MAST

Electron Bernstein wave (EBW) assisted plasma current start-up has been demonstrated for the first time in a tokamak. It was shown that plasma currents up to 17 kA can be generated non-inductively by 100 kW of RF power injected. With optimized vertical field ramps, plasma currents up to 33 kA have been achieved without the use of solenoid flux. It is shown that the plasma formation and current generation are governed predominantly by EBW current drive. Experimental results are consistent with ray-tracing and quasilinear Fokker–Planck modelling.

Observation of charmless B meson decays

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at the e + e − storage ring DORIS II, we have observed charmless decays of B mesons into the final states ppπ ± and ppπ + π − . The significance of the signal corresponds to more than five standard deviations. The branching ratios are (5.2±1.4±1.9)×10 −4 for the three-body and (6.0±2.0±2.2)×10 −4 for the four-body final state. These decays cannot proceed via the dominant b→c transitions, and we show that they are not the result of penguin-type processes. Thus, the observed decays must represent b→u quark transitions. Consequently, the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element V ub is non-zero.

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.