Evidence for Exotic Hadron Contributions to Λb0 →j /ψpπ- Decays

Abstract

A full amplitude analysis of Λb0→J/ψpπ- decays is performed with a data sample acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb-1. A significantly better description of the data is achieved when, in addition to the previously observed nucleon excitations N→pπ-, either the Pc(4380)+ and Pc(4450)+→J/ψp states, previously observed in Λb0→J/ψpK- decays, or the Zc(4200)-→J/ψπ- state, previously reported in B0→J/ψK+π- decays, or all three, are included in the amplitude models. The data support a model containing all three exotic states, with a significance of more than three standard deviations. Within uncertainties, the data are consistent with the Pc(4380)+ and Pc(4450)+ production rates expected from their previous observation taking account of Cabibbo suppression.