Abstract: We reconstruct the rare decays B+ -> K+ mu(+)mu(-), B-0 -> K*(892)(0) mu(+)mu(-), and B-s(0) -> phi(1020) mu(+)mu(-) in a data sample corresponding to 4.4 fb(-1) collected in p (p) over bar collisions at root s = 1.96 TeV by the CDF II detector at the Tevatron Collider. Using 121 +/- 16 B+ -> K+ mu(+)mu(-) and 101 +/- 12 B-0 -> K-*0 mu(+)mu(-) decays we report the branching ratios. In addition, we report the differential branching ratio and the muon forwardbackward asymmetry in the B+ and B-0 decay modes, and the K-*0 longitudinal polarization fraction in the B-0 decay mode with respect to the squared dimuon mass. These are consistent with the predictions, and most recent determinations from other experiments and of comparable accuracy. We also report the first observation of the B-s(0) -> phi mu(+)mu(-) decay and measure its branching ratio BR(B-s(0) -> phi mu(+)mu(-)) = [1.44 +/- 0.33 +/- 0.46] x 10(-6) using 27 +/- 6 signal events. This is currently the most rare B-s(0) decay observed.

Abstract: We report the first observation of the baryonic flavor-changing neutral current decay Lambda(0)(b) -> Lambda mu(+)mu(-) with 24 signal events and a statistical significance of 5.8 Gaussian standard deviations. This measurement uses a p (p) over bar collisions data sample corresponding to 6.8 fb(-1) at root s = 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II detector at the Tevatron collider. The total and differential branching ratios for Lambda(0)(b) -> Lambda mu(+)mu(-) are measured. We find B(Lambda(0)(b) -> Lambda mu(+)mu(-)) = [1.73 +/- 0.42(stat) +/- (syst)] x 10(-6). We also report the first measurement of the differential branching ratio of B(s)(0) -> phi mu(+)mu(-), using 49 signal events. In addition, we report branching ratios for B(+) -> K(+)mu(+)mu(-), B(0) -> K(0)mu(+)mu(-), and B -> K*(892)mu(+)mu(-) decays.

Abstract: Shell structure and magic numbers in atomic nuclei were generally explained by pioneering work(1) that introduced a strong spin-orbit interaction to the nuclear shell model potential. However, knowledge of nuclear forces and the mechanisms governing the structure of nuclei, in particular far from stability, is still incomplete. In nuclei with equal neutron and proton numbers (N = Z), enhanced correlations arise between neutrons and protons (two distinct types of fermions) that occupy orbitals with the same quantum numbers. Such correlations have been predicted to favour an unusual type of nuclear superfluidity, termed isoscalar neutron-proton pairing(2-6), in addition to normal isovector pairing. Despite many experimental efforts, these predictions have not been confirmed. Here we report the experimental observation of excited states in the N = Z = 46 nucleus Pd-92. Gamma rays emitted following the Ni-58(Ar-36,2n)Pd-92 fusion-evaporation reaction were identified using a combination of state-of-the-art high-resolution c-ray, charged-particle and neutron detector systems. Our results reveal evidence for a spin-aligned, isoscalar neutron-proton coupling scheme, different from the previous prediction(2-6). We suggest that this coupling scheme replaces normal superfluidity (characterized by seniority coupling(7,8)) in the ground and low-lying excited states of the heaviest N = Z nuclei. Such strong, isoscalar neutron-proton correlations would have a considerable impact on the nuclear level structure and possibly influence the dynamics of rapid proton capture in stellar nucleosynthesis.