Model-independent evidence for $J/ψp$ contributions to $Λ_b^0\to J/ψp K^-$ decays

Abstract

The data sample of $Λ_b^0\to J/ψp K^-$ decays acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8~TeV $pp$ collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$, is inspected for the presence of $J/ψp$ or $J/ψK^-$ contributions with minimal assumptions about $K^- p$ contributions. It is demonstrated at more than 9 standard deviations that $Λ_b^0\to J/ψp K^-$ decays cannot be described with $K^- p$ contributions alone, and that $J/ψp$ contributions play a dominant role in this incompatibility. These model-independent results support the previously obtained model-dependent evidence for $P_c^+\to J/ψp$ charmonium-pentaquark states in the same data sample.

21 pages, 12 figures (including the supplemental section added at the end)