Search for $Λ_c^+\toϕp π^0$ and branching fraction measurement of $Λ_c^+\to K^-π^+ p π^0$

Abstract

We have searched for the Cabibbo-suppressed decay $Λ_c^+\toϕpπ^0$ in $e^+e^-$ collisions using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 915 $\rm fb^{-1}$. The data were collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB $e^+e^-$ asymmetric-energy collider running at or near the $Υ(4S)$ and $Υ(5S)$ resonances. No significant signal is observed, and we set an upper limit on the branching fraction of $\mathcal{B}(Λ_c^+\to ϕpπ^0) <15.3\times10^{-5}$ at 90% confidence level. The contribution for nonresonant $Λ_c^+\to K^+K^- pπ^0$ decays is found to be consistent with zero and the corresponding upper limit on its branching fraction is set to be $\mathcal{B}(Λ_c^+\to K^+K^-pπ^0)_{\rm NR} <6.3\times10^{-5} $ at 90% confidence level. We also measure the branching fraction for the Cabibbo-favored decay $Λ_c^+\to K^-π^+pπ^0$; the result is $\mathcal{B}(Λ_c^+\to K^-π^+pπ^0)= (4.42\pm0.05\, (\rm stat.) \pm 0.12\, (\rm syst.) \pm 0.16\, (\mathcal{B}_{\rm Norm}))\%$, which is the most precise measurement to date. Finally, we have searched for an intermediate hidden-strangeness pentaquark decay $P^+_s\toϕp$. We see no evidence for this intermediate decay and set an upper limit on the product branching fraction of ${\cal B}(Λ_c^+\to P^+_s π^0)\times {\cal B}(P^+_s\toϕp) <8.3\times 10^{-5}$ at 90% confidence level.

8 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, minor text change in version 2