Abstract: The radiative decays of b-baryons facilitate the direct measurement of photon helicity in b -> s gamma transitions thus serving as an important test of physics beyond the Standard Model. In this paper we analyze the complete angular distribution of ground state b-baryon radiative decays to multibody final states assuming an initially polarized b-baryon sample. Our sensitivity study suggests that the photon polarization asymmetry can be extracted to a good accuracy along with a simultaneous measurement of the initial b-baryon polarization. With higher yields of b-baryons, achievable in subsequent runs of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), we find that the photon polarization measurement can play a pivotal role in constraining different new physics scenarios.

Abstract: The production rate of B-s(0) mesons relative to B-0 mesons is measured by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy root s = 13 TeV over the forward rapidity interval 2 < y < 4.5 as a function of the charged particle multiplicity measured in the event. Evidence at the 3.4 sigma level is found for an increase of the ratio of B-s(0) to B-0 cross sections with multiplicity at transverse momenta below 6 GeV=c, with no significant multiplicity dependence at higher transverse momentum. Comparison with data from e(+)e(-) collisions implies that the density of the hadronic medium may affect the production rates of B mesons. This is qualitatively consistent with the emergence of quark coalescence as an additional hadronization mechanism in high-multiplicity collisions.

Abstract: The production of psi(2S) mesons in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of root s(NN) = 8.16TeV is studied with the LHCb detector using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 nb(-1). The prompt and nonprompt psi(2S) production cross-sections and the ratio of the psi(2S) to J/psi cross-section are measured as a function of the meson transverse momentum and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass frame, together with forward-to-backward ratios and nuclear modification factors. The production of prompt psi(2S) is observed to be more suppressed compared to pp collisions than the prompt J/psi production, while the nonprompt productions have similar suppression factors.

Abstract: The production of prompt D+ and D-s(+) mesons is studied in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of root s(NN) = 5.02TeV. The data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of (1.58 +/- 0.02)nb(-1) is collected by the LHCb experiment at the LHC. The differential production cross-sections are measured using D+ and D-s(+) candidates with transverse momentum in the range of 0 < p(T) < 14 GeV/c and rapidities in the ranges of 1.5 < y* < 4.0 and -5.0 < y* < -2.5 in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass system. For both particles, the nuclear modification factor and the forward-backward production ratio are determined. These results are compared with theoretical models that include initial-state nuclear effects. In addition, measurements of the cross-section ratios between D+, D-s(+) and D-0 mesons are presented, providing a baseline for studying the charm hadronization in lead-lead collisions at LHC energies.

Abstract: The production of eta and eta' mesons is studied in proton -proton and proton -lead collisions collected with the LHCb detector. Proton -proton collisions are studied at center -of -mass energies of 5.02 and 13 TeV and proton -lead collisions are studied at a center -of -mass energy per nucleon of 8.16 TeV. The studies are performed in center -of -mass (c.m.) rapidity regions 2.5 < y(c.m.) < 3.5 (forward rapidity) and -4.0 < y(c.m.) < -3.0 (backward rapidity) defined relative to the proton beam direction. The eta and eta' production cross sections are measured differentially as a function of transverse momentum for 1.5 < p(T) < 10 GeV and 3 < p(T) < 10 GeV, respectively. The differential cross sections are used to calculate nuclear modification factors. The nuclear modification factors for eta and eta' mesons agree at both forward and backward rapidity, showing no significant evidence of mass dependence. The differential cross sections of eta mesons are also used to calculate eta/pi 0 cross-section ratios, which show evidence of a deviation from the world average. These studies offer new constraints on mass -dependent nuclear effects in heavy -ion collisions, as well as eta and eta' meson fragmentation.