Evidence for exotic hadron contributions to $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψp π^-$ decays

Abstract

A full amplitude analysis of $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψp π^-$ decays is performed with a data sample acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV $pp$ collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$. A significantly better description of the data is achieved when, in addition to the previously observed nucleon excitations $N\to pπ^-$, either the $P_c(4380)^+$ and $P_c(4450)^+\to J/ψp$ states, previously observed in $Λ_b^0 \to J/ψp K^-$ decays, or the $Z_c(4200)^-\to J/ψπ^-$ state, previously reported in $B^0 \to J/ψK^+ π^-$ decays, or all three, are included in the amplitude models. The data support a model containing all three exotic states, with a significance of more than three standard deviations. Within uncertainties, the data are consistent with the $P_c(4380)^+$ and $P_c(4450)^+$ production rates expected from their previous observation taking account of Cabibbo suppression.

Version updated to the published one. All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcbproject.web.cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/LHCbProjectPublic/LHCb-PAPER-2016-015.html