The observation of a wide peaking structure in the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup><mi>γ</mi></math> mass spectrum is reported using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>9</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><msup><mi>fb</mi><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></math>. The statistical significance over the background-only hypothesis exceeds seven standard deviations. The width of the observed structure is larger than the expectation from a single-peak hypothesis, and is well described by an effective minimal model consisting of two narrow peaks located at <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>6704.8</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>5.5</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>2.8</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0.3</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mrow><mi>MeV</mi><mo>/</mo></mrow><msup><mi>c</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>6752.4</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>9.5</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>3.1</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0.3</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mrow><mi>MeV</mi><mo>/</mo></mrow><msup><mi>c</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></math>. The uncertainty terms are statistical, systematic, and associated to the knowledge of the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup></math> mass, respectively. The measured peak locations are in line with theoretical predictions for lowest excited <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>P</mi></math>-wave <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup></math> states, marking the first observation of orbitally excited beauty-charm mesons and providing important insights into the internal dynamics of hadrons containing two heavy quarks.

Netherlands

R. Aaij

United Kingdom

A.S.W. Abdelmotteleb

Switzerland

C. Abellan Beteta

F. Abudinén

T. Ackernley

United States

A.A. Adefisoye

Spain

B. Adeva

M. Adinolfi

P. Adlarson

France

C. Agapopoulou

C.A. Aidala

Z. Ajaltouni

S. Akar

K. Akiba

Italy

P. Albicocco

Germany

J. Albrecht

CERN

F. Alessio

Z. Aliouche

P. Alvarez Cartelle

R. Amalric

Brazil

S. Amato

J.L. Amey

Y. Amhis

China

L. An

L. Anderlini

M. Andersson

P. Andreola

M. Andreotti

S. Andres Estrada

A. Anelli

D. Ao

F. Archilli

Z. Areg

M. Argenton

Costa Rica

S. Arguedas Cuendis

A. Artamonov

M. Artuso

E. Aslanides

R. Ataíde Da Silva

M. Atzeni

B. Audurier

J.A. Authier

D. Bacher

I. Bachiller Perea

S. Bachmann

M. Bachmayer

J.J. Back

P. Baladron Rodriguez

V. Balagura

A. Balboni

W. Baldini

L. Balzani

H. Bao

J. Baptista de Souza Leite

C. Barbero Pretel

M. Barbetti

I.R. Barbosa

R.J. Barlow

M. Barnyakov

S. Barsuk

W. Barter

J. Bartz

Poland

S. Bashir

B. Batsukh

P.B. Battista

A. Bay

A. Beck

M. Becker

F. Bedeschi

I.B. Bediaga

N.A. Behling

S. Belin

K. Belous

I. Belov

I. Belyaev

G. Benane

G. Bencivenni

E. Ben-Haim

A. Berezhnoy

R. Bernet

S. Bernet Andres

A. Bertolin

C. Betancourt

F. Betti

J. Bex

Ia. Bezshyiko

O. Bezshyyko

J. Bhom

M.S. Bieker

N.V. Biesuz

P. Billoir

A. Biolchini

M. Birch

F.C.R. Bishop

A. Bitadze

A. Bizzeti

T. Blake

F. Blanc

J.E. Blank

S. Blusk

Observation of Orbitally Excited <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup></math> States

The study of a wide peaking structure in the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup><mi>γ</mi></math> mass spectrum is reported using a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>9</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><msup><mi>fb</mi><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></math>. The observed structure is consistent with the lowest excited <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>P</mi></math>-wave <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup></math> states and exhibits a statistical significance exceeding 7 standard deviations relative to the background-only hypothesis. A two-peak model serves as an effective description of the data, with various theory-constrained models further explored to provide physical interpretation. Based on the predictions for the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mi>P</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo>+</mo></msup></math> spectrum, the relative production cross section of the overall <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mi>P</mi><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo>+</mo></msup></math> states with respect to the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup></math> ground state with the transverse momentum <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>p</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">T</mi></msub></math> and rapidity <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>y</mi></math> of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup></math> mesons in the regions <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>p</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">T</mi></msub><mo>&lt;</mo><mn>20</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mi>GeV</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>c</mi></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>2.0</mn><mo>&lt;</mo><mi>y</mi><mo>&lt;</mo><mn>4.5</mn></math> at <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msqrt><mi>s</mi></msqrt><mo>=</mo><mn>13</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mi>TeV</mi></math> is measured to be <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>0.20</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0.03</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0.02</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0.03</mn></math>, where the uncertainty terms represent statistical, systematic, and uncertainties related to the choice of theoretical models, respectively. The results provide a test of theoretical models and deepen our understanding of quantum chromodynamics.

Z Areg

Study of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>B</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>c</mi></mrow></msub><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mi>P</mi><msup><mrow><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><mrow><mo>+</mo></mrow></msup></mrow></math> states in the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msubsup><mi>B</mi><mi>c</mi><mo>+</mo></msubsup><mi>γ</mi></math> mass spectrum

Inspired by the abundant structure near the threshold of the $$D^{(*)}K^{(*)}/\bar{D}^{(*)}K^{(*)},$$ we estimate the strong decay properties of the $$T_{c\bar{s}1}^{f/a}$$ and $$T_{\bar{c}\bar{s}1}^{f/a}$$ with $$I(J^{P})=0/1(1^{+})$$ in $$DK^{*}$$ and $$\bar{D}K^{*}$$ molecular scenarios in the present paper. By employing the effective Lagrangian approach, the widths of the processes $$T_{c\bar{s}1}^{f}\rightarrow D^{*}K, D_{s}^{*}\eta , DK\pi ,$$ $$T_{c\bar{s}1}^{a}\rightarrow D^{*}K, D_{s}^{*}\pi , DK\pi ,$$ and $$T_{\bar{c}\bar{s}1}^{f/a}\rightarrow \bar{D}^{*}K, \bar{D}K\pi $$ are estimated. Considering the present estimations, we propose to search for $$T_{c\bar{s}1}^{f/a}$$ states in $$D^{*}K$$ and $$D_{s}^{*}\pi /D_{s}^{*}\eta $$ mass invariant spectra. Their ratios may serve as an important test of the molecular scenario.

Zi-Li Yue

Cheng-Jian Xiao

Mexico

H. García-Tecocoatzi

Dian-Yong Chen

Elena Santopinto

Strong decays of the $$DK^*$$ and $$\bar{D}K^{*}$$ molecular states

High-precision regression of physical parameters from black hole images generated by General Relativistic Ray Tracing (GRRT) is essential for investigating spacetime curvature and advancing black hole astrophysics. However, owing to limitations in observational resolution, high observational costs, and imbalanced distributions of positive and negative samples, black hole images often suffer from data scarcity, sparse parameter spaces, and complex structural characteristics. These factors pose significant challenges to conventional regression methods based on simplified physical models. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces the Multiscale Adaptive Network (MANet), a novel regression framework grounded in deep learning. MANet integrates an Adaptive Channel Attention (ACA) module to selectively enhance features in physically informative regions. Meanwhile, a Multiscale Enhancement Feature Pyramid (MEFP) is employed to capture fine-grained spatial structures, such as photon rings and accretion disks, while alleviating information loss due to downsampling. Experimental evaluations on GRRT-simulated datasets demonstrate that MANet substantially improves parameter estimation accuracy and generalization capability in high-dimensional parameter spaces, outperforming existing baseline approaches. This framework presents a promising avenue for high-precision parameter regression in Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) data analysis and broader astrophysical imaging applications characterized by sparse and noisy data.

Jialei Wei

Ao Liu

Dejiang Li

Cuihong Wen

Physical parameter regression from black hole images using a multiscale adaptive neural network * Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province under grant No. 2023JJ30384; the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants No. 12374408; the University Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program Project

The study of extra charged gauge bosons beyond the Standard Model has always been of great interest. Future muon colliders will have a significant advantage in discovering exotic particles. In this paper, by studying the $ \mu^+ \mu^- \to W^{\prime +} W^{\prime -} \to e^+ e^- n_e \bar{n}_e $ process, we explore the properties of $ W^\prime $ in the alternative left-right model. The cross section and angular distribution of the final electron are investigated in a scenario of different $ W^\prime $ masses and right-handed coupling constants. The forward-backward asymmetry is also an important observable to reflect the properties of $ W^\prime $ . We provide a method to effectively suppress the background processes by imposing constraints on the transverse momentum $ P_T $ and azimuthal angle of the final-state electrons $\textit{α}$. With cuts of $ 600 \lt P_T \lt 3500 $ GeV and $ 0.5 \lt \alpha \lt 3 $ , the significance exceeds 5$\textit{σ}$ for 4.8 TeV $ W^\prime $ at a collision energy of 10 TeV.

Liuxin Zhao

Honglei Li

Zhi-Long Han

Fei Huang

Xinyi Yan

Extra charged gauge boson $\textit{W}$′ in Alternative Left-Right Model at future muon collider * This work is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022MA065, ZR2024QA138), and University of Jinan Disciplinary Cross-Convergence Construction Project 2024 (XKJC-202404)

Excited-state contamination remains one of the leading sources of systematic uncertainty in the precise determination of hadron structure observables from lattice QCD. In this letter, we present a general argument, inspired by meson dominance ideas and implemented through the variational method, to identify which excited states are enhanced by the choice of the inserted current and kinematics. The argument is supported by numerical evidence across multiple hadronic channels and provides both a conceptual understanding and practical guidance to account for excited-state effects in hadron three-point function analyses.

Lorenzo Barca

Current-enhanced excited states in lattice QCD three-point functions

We investigate the dynamics of a relativistic scalar field in a static spherically symmetric Einstein-Maxwell-Bumblebee black hole spacetime in <math altimg='si1.svg'><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>3</mn><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>+</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></math> dimensions, incorporating non-minimal Maxwell-Bumblebee coupling. The covariant Klein-Gordon equation is constructed component by component, and, using a separation of variables ansatz, the polar and radial parts are successfully decoupled. The exact solution of the polar equation is expressed in terms of spherical harmonics, while the radial solution is obtained via the confluent Heun function. Quasibound state quantization is achieved by imposing the polynomial condition on the confluent Heun function, resulting in complex-valued energy levels for a massive scalar field. The real part of the energy corresponds to the relativistic particle energy, whereas the imaginary part characterizes the stability of the configuration. We find that light neutral scalar fields are unable to trigger a black hole bomb in this spacetime. Additionally, we study Hawking radiation from the outer horizon of the spherically symmetric Einstein-Maxwell-Bumblebee black hole using the Damour-Ruffini method, employing the exact scalar wave functions. The Hawking temperature is slightly reduced compared to the Schwarzschild due to the combined influence of Lorentz violation and electromagnetism, highlighting subtle deviations from general relativity can affect the thermal properties of black holes.

Thailand

David Senjaya

Scalar quasibound states in Einstein-Maxwell-Bumblebee black holes with non-minimal Maxwell-Bumblebee coupling

A search for pair-production of vector-like leptons is presented, considering their decays into a third-generation Standard Model (SM) quark and a vector leptoquark ( $$U_1$$ ) as predicted by an ultraviolet-complete extension of the SM, referred to as the ‘4321’ model. Given the assumed decay of $$U_1$$ into third-generation SM fermions, the final state can contain multiple $$\tau $$ -leptons and $\textit{b}$-quarks. This search is based on a dataset of $\textit{pp}$ collisions at $$\sqrt{s}=13$$ TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of up to $$140~\textrm{fb}^{-1} $$ . No significant excess above the SM background prediction is observed, and 95% confidence level limits on the cross-section times branching ratio are derived as a function of the vector-like lepton mass. A lower observed (expected) limit of 910 GeV (970 GeV) is set on the vector-like lepton mass. Additionally, the results are interpreted for a supersymmetric model with an $\textit{R}$-parity violating coupling to the third-generation quarks and leptons. Lower observed (expected) limits are obtained on the higgsino mass at 880 GeV (940 GeV) and on the wino mass at 1170 GeV (1170 GeV).

G. Aad

Norway

E. Aakvaag

B. Abbott

United Arab Emirates

S. Abdelhameed

K. Abeling

N. Abicht

S. Abidi

M. Aboelela

Morocco

A. Aboulhorma

Israel

H. Abramowicz

Y. Abulaiti

B. Acharya

A. Ackermann

C. Bourdarios

L. Adamczyk

S. Addepalli

M. Addison

J. Adelman

Türkiye

A. Adiguzel

T. Adye

A. Affolder

Y. Afik

M. Agaras

A. Aggarwal

Romania

C. Agheorghiesei

Azerbaijan

F. Ahmadov

S. Ahuja

X. Ai

G. Aielli

A. Aikot

M. Tamlihat

B. Aitbenchikh

M. Akbiyik

Sweden

T. Åkesson

A. Akimov

Japan

D. Akiyama

N. Akolkar

S. Aktas

G. Alberghi

Canada

J. Albert

G. Albouy

S. Alderweireldt

Z. Alegria

M. Aleksa

Search for electroweak production of vector-like leptons in $$\tau $$ -lepton and $\textit{b}$-jet final states in $\textit{pp}$ collisions at $$\sqrt{s}$$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector