Abstract: From samples of pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at root s = 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.0, 2.0 and 1.5 fb(-1), respectively, a peak in both the Lambda(0)(b) K- and Xi(0)(b)pi(-) invariant mass spectra is observed. In the quark model, radially and orbitally excited Xi(-)(b) resonances with quark content bds are expected. Referring to this peak as Xi(b)(6227)(-), the mass and natural width are measured to be m(Xi b(6227))(-) = 6226.9 +/- 2.0 +/- 0.3 +/- 0.2 MeV/c(2) and Gamma(Xi b(6227))- = 18.1 +/- 5.4 +/- 1.8 MeV/c(2), where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third, on m(Xi b(6227))(-), is due to the knowledge of the Lambda(0)(b) baryon mass. Relative production rates of the Xi(b)(6227)(-) -> Lambda K-0(b)- and Xi(b)(6227)(-) -> Xi(0)(b)pi(-) decays are also reported.

Abstract: Investigations of the existence of pentaquark states containing a single b (anti) quark decaying weakly into four specific final states J/psi K+pi(-)p, J/psi K-pi(-)p, J/psi K-pi(+)p, and J/psi phi(1020)p are reported. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1) in 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions acquired with the LHCb detector. Signals are not observed and upper limits are set on the product of the production cross section times branching fraction with respect to that of the A(b)(0).

Abstract: Long-lived particles (LLPs) show up in many extensions of the Standard Model, but they are challenging to search for with current detectors, due to their very displaced vertices. This study evaluated the ability of the trigger algorithms used in the Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment to detect long-lived particles and attempted to adapt them to enhance the sensitivity of this experiment to undiscovered long-lived particles. A model with a Higgs portal to a dark sector is tested, and the sensitivity reach is discussed. In the LHCb tracking system, the farthest tracking station from the collision point is the scintillating fiber tracker, the SciFi detector. One of the challenges in the track reconstruction is to deal with the large amount of and combinatorics of hits in the LHCb detector. A dedicated algorithm has been developed to cope with the large data output. When fully implemented, this algorithm would greatly increase the available statistics for any long-lived particle search in the forward region and would additionally improve the sensitivity of analyses dealing with Standard Model particles of large lifetime, such as KS0 or Lambda (0) hadrons.

Abstract: Measurements are reported of the central exclusive production of J= and ( 2 S) mesons in pp collisions at a centre- of- mass energy of 13 TeV. Backgrounds are signi fi cantly reduced compared to previous measurements made at lower energies through the use of new forward shower counters. The products of the cross- sections and the branching fractions for the decays to dimuons, where both muons are within the pseudorapidity range 2 : 0 < < 4 : 5, are measured to be The fi rst uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, and the third are due to the luminosity determination. The cross- sections are also measured di ff erentially for meson rapidities between 2.0 and 4.5. Good agreement is observed with theoretical predictions. Photoproduction cross- sections are derived and compared to previous experiments, and a deviation from a pure power- law extrapolation of lower energy data is observed.

Abstract: Measurements of CP observables in B-+/- -> D(*)K-+/- and B-+/- -> D(*)pi(+/-) decays are presented, where D(*) indicates a neutral Dor D* meson that is an admixture of D(*)(0) and (D) over bar(*)(0) states. Decays of the D* meson to the D pi(0)and D gamma final states are partially reconstructed without inclusion of the neutral pion or photon, resulting in distinctive shapes in the Bcandidate invariant mass distribution. Decays of the D meson are fully reconstructed in the K-+/-pi(-/+), K+K- and pi(+)pi(-) final states. The analysis uses a sample of charged Bmesons produced in ppcollisions collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0, 1.0 and 2.0fb- 1taken at centre- of- mass energies of root s = 7, 8 and 13 TeV, respectively. The study of B-perpendicular to -> D*K-perpendicular to and B-perpendicular to -> D*pi(perpendicular to) decays using a partial reconstruction method is the first of its kind, while the measurement of B-+/- -> DK +/- and B-+/- -> D pi(+/-) decays is an update of previous LHCb measurements. The B-+/- -> DK +/- results are the most precise to date.