Abstract: The “mu from nu” supersymmetric standard model (mu nu SSM) can accommodate the newly discovered Higgs-like scalar boson with a mass around 125GeV. This model provides a solution to the mu-problem and simultaneously reproduces correct neutrino physics by the simple use of right-handed neutrino superfields. These new superfields together with the introduced R-parity violation can produce novel and characteristic signatures of the μnu SSM at the LHC. We explore the signatures produced through two-body Higgs decays into the new states, provided that these states lie below in the mass spectrum. For example, a pair produced light neutralinos depending on the associated decay length can give rise to displaced multi-leptons/taus/jets/photons with small/moderate missing transverse energy. In the same spirit, a Higgs-like scalar decaying to a pair of scalars/pseudoscalars can produce final states with prompt multi-leptons/taus/jets/photons.

Abstract: The CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is designed to collide proton beams of unprecedented energy, in order to extend the frontiers of high-energy particle physics. During the first very successful running period in 2010-2013, the LHC was routinely storing protons at 3.5-4 TeV with a total beam energy of up to 146 MJ, and even higher stored energies are foreseen in the future. This puts extraordinary demands on the control of beam losses. An uncontrolled loss of even a tiny fraction of the beam could cause a superconducting magnet to undergo a transition into a normal-conducting state, or in the worst case cause material damage. Hence a multistage collimation system has been installed in order to safely intercept high-amplitude beam protons before they are lost elsewhere. To guarantee adequate protection from the collimators, a detailed theoretical understanding is needed. This article presents results of numerical simulations of the distribution of beam losses around the LHC that have leaked out of the collimation system. The studies include tracking of protons through the fields of more than 5000 magnets in the 27 km LHC ring over hundreds of revolutions, and Monte Carlo simulations of particle-matter interactions both in collimators and machine elements being hit by escaping particles. The simulation results agree typically within a factor 2 with measurements of beam loss distributions from the previous LHC run. Considering the complex simulation, which must account for a very large number of unknown imperfections, and in view of the total losses around the ring spanning over 7 orders of magnitude, we consider this an excellent agreement. Our results give confidence in the simulation tools, which are used also for the design of future accelerators.

Abstract: The integral cross section of the C-12(n, p)B-12 reaction has been determined for the first time in the neutron energy range from threshold to several GeV at the n_TOF facility at CERN. The measurement relies on the activation technique with the beta decay of B-12 measured over a period of four half-lives within the same neutron bunch in which the reaction occurs. The results indicate that model predictions, used in a variety of applications, are mostly inadequate. The value of the integral cross section reported here can be used as a benchmark for verifying or tuning model calculations.

Abstract: A binned Dalitz plot analysis of B-+/- -> DK +/- decays, with D -> K-S(0) pi(+)pi(-) and D -> K0 S K + K -, is performed to measure the C P -violating observables x(+/-) and y(+/-), which are sensitive to the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle gamma. The analysis exploits a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0 fb(-1) collected by the LHCb experiment. Measurements from CLEO-c of the variation of the strong-interaction phase of the D decay over the Dalitz plot are used as inputs. The values of the parameters are found to be x(+) = (-7.7 +/- 2.4 +/- 1.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-2), x(-) = (2.5 +/- 2.5 +/- 1.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-2), y(+) = (-2.2 +/- 2.5 +/- 0.4 +/- 1.0) x 10-2, and y(-) = (7.5 +/- 2.9 +/- 0.5 +/- 1.4) x 10(-2). The first, second, and third uncertainties are the statistical, the experimental systematic, and that associated with the precision of the strong-phase parameters. These are the most precise measurements of these observables and correspond to +/- = (62(-14)(+15))degrees, with a second solution at gamma -> gamma + 180 degrees, and r(B) = 0.080(-0.021)(+0.019), where r(B) is the ratio between the suppressed and favoured B decay amplitudes.

Abstract: First observations of the rare decays B (+) -> K (+)pi (+) pi (-) μ(+) μ(-) and B (+)-> phi K+ mu(+)mu(-) are presented using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1), collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The branching fractions of the decays are B(B (+) -> K (+)pi (+) pi (-) μ(+) μ(-) ) = (4.36 (-0.27) (+0.29) (stat) +/- 0.21 (syst) +/- (norm)) x 10(-7), B(B (+)-> phi K+ mu(+)mu(-)) = (0.82 (+0.19)(-0.17) (stat) (+0.10)(-0.04) (syst) +/- 0.27 (norm)) x 10(-7) where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the uncertainty on the branching fractions of the normalisation modes. A measurement of the differential branching fraction in bins of the invariant mass squared of the dimuon system is also presented for the decay B (+) -> K (+)pi (+) pi (-) μ(+) μ(-)