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Decay-mode independent searches for new scalar bosons with the OPAL detector at LEP

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  • OPAL Collaboration
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>04/2003
<mark>Journal</mark>European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields
Issue number3
Volume27
Number of pages19
Pages (from-to)311-329
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

This paper describes topological searches for neutral scalar bosons S0 produced in association with a Z0 boson via the Bjorken process e+e−→S0Z0 at centre-of-mass energies of 91 GeV and 183-209 GeV. These searches are based on studies of the recoil mass spectrum of Z0→e+e− and μ+μ− events and on a search for S0Z0 with Z0→νν¯ and S0→e+e− or photons. They cover the decays of the S0 into an arbitrary combination of hadrons, leptons, photons and invisible particles as well as the possibility that it might be stable.
No indication for a signal is found in the data and upper limits on the cross section of the Bjorken process are calculated. Cross-section limits are given in terms of a scale factor k with respect to the Standart Model cross section for the Higgs-strahlung process e+e−→HSMZ0.
These results can be interpreted in general scenarios independently of the decay modes of the S0. The examples considered here are the production of a single new scalar particle with a decay width smaller than the detector mass resolution, and for the first time, two scenarios with continuous mass distributions, due to a single very broad state or several states close in mass.