Abstract: The determination of track reconstruction efficiencies at LHCb using J/psi -> mu(+)mu(-) decays is presented. Efficiencies above 95% are found for the data taking periods in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The ratio of the track reconstruction efficiency of muons in data and simulation is compatible with unity and measured with an uncertainty of 0.8% for data taking in 2010, and at a precision of 0.4% for data taking in 2011 and 2012. For hadrons an additional 1.4% uncertainty due to material interactions is assumed. This result is crucial for accurate cross section and branching fraction measurements in LHCb.

Abstract: Using the latest LHCb measurements of time-dependent CP violation in the B-s(0) -> K+K- decay, a U-spin relation between the decay amplitudes of B-s(0) -> K+K- and B-0 -> p(+)p(-) decay processes allows constraints to be placed on the angle gamma of the unitarity triangle and on the B-s(0) mixing phase -2 beta(s). Results from an extended approach, which uses additional inputs on B-0 -> pi(0)pi(0) and B+ -> pi(+)pi(0) decays from other experiments and exploits isospin symmetry, are also presented. The dependence of the results on the maximum allowed amount of U-spin breaking is studied. At 68% probability, the value gamma =( 63.5(-6.7)(+7.2))degrees modulo 180 degrees is determined. In an alternative analysis, the value -2 beta(s)= – 0.12(-0.16)(+ 0.14) rad is found. In both measurements, the uncertainties due to U-spin breaking effects up to 50% are included.

Abstract: The production of the eta(c)(1S) state in protonproton collisions is probed via its decay to the p (p) over bar final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range 2.0 < y < 4.5 and in the meson transverse-momentum range p(T) > 6.5GeV/c. The cross-section for prompt production of eta(c)(1S) mesons relative to the prompt J/psi cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be s sigma(eta c(1S))/sigma J/psi = 1.74 +/- 0.29 +/- 0.28 +/- 0.18(B) at a centre-of-mass energy root s = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb(-1), and s sigma(eta c(1S))/sigma(J/psi) = 1.60 +/- 0.29 +/- 0.25 +/- 0.17(B) at root s = 8 TeV using 2.0 fb(-1). The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the (eta c)(1S) and J/psi decays to the p (p) over bar final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of b-hadron decays into (eta c)(1S) mesons is measured, for the first time, to be B(b -> X-eta c) = (4.88 +/- 0.64 +/- 0.29 +/- 0.67(B)) x10(-3), where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the J/psi inclusive branching fraction from b-hadron decays. The difference between the J/psi and (eta c)(1S) meson masses is determined to be 114.7 +/- 1.5 +/- 0.1MeV/c(2).

Abstract: We report on measurements of the mass and lifetime of the Xi(-)(b) baryon using about 1800 Xi(-)(b) decays reconstructed in a proton-proton collision data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1) collected by the LHCb experiment. The decays are reconstructed in the Xi(-)(b) -> Xi(0)(c)pi(-), Xi(0)(c) -> pK(-)K(-)pi(+) channel and the mass and lifetime are measured using the Lambda(0)(b) -> Lambda(+)(c)pi(-) mode as a reference. We measure M(Xi(-)(b)) – M(Lambda(0)(b)) = 178.36 +/- 0.46 +/- 0.16 MeV/c(2), (tau Xi(-)(b)/tau Lambda(0)(b)) = 1.089 +/- 0.026 +/- 0.011, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results lead to a factor of 2 better precision on the Xi(-)(b) mass and lifetime compared to previous best measurements, and are consistent with theoretical expectations.

Abstract: Measuring cross-sections at the LHC requires the luminosity to be determined accurately at each centre-of-mass energy root s. In this paper results are reported from the luminosity calibrations carried out at the LHC interaction point 8 with the LHCb detector for root s = 2.76, 7 and 8TeV (proton-proton collisions) and for root s(NN) = 5TeV (proton-lead collisions). Both the “van der Meer scan” and “beam-gas imaging” luminosity calibration methods were employed. It is observed that the beam density profile cannot always be described by a function that is factorizable in the two transverse coordinates. The introduction of a two-dimensional description of the beams improves significantly the consistency of the results. For proton-proton interactions at root s = 8TeV a relative precision of the luminosity calibration of 1.47% is obtained using van der Meer scans and 1.43% using beam-gas imaging, resulting in a combined precision of 1.12%. Applying the calibration to the full data set determines the luminosity with a precision of 1.16%. This represents the most precise luminosity measurement achieved so far at a bunched-beam hadron collider.