We present new measurements of differential cross sections for Z/gamma*(->mumu)+jet+X production in a 1 fb-1 data sample collected with the D0 detector in proton anti-proton collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. Results include the first measurements differential in the Z/gamma* transverse momentum and rapidity, as well as new measurements differential in the leading jet transverse momentum and rapidity. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD predictions are compared to the measurements, and reasonable agreement is observed, except in the region of low Z/gamma* transverse momentum. Predictions from two event generators based on matrix elements and parton showers, and one pure parton shower event generator are also compared to the measurements. These show significant overall normalization differences to the data and have varied success in describing the shape of the distributions.
We present a measurement of the cross section and the first measurement of the heavy flavor content of associated direct photon + muon events produced in hadronic collisions. These measurements come from a sample of 1.8 TeV ppbar collisions recorded with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) predicts that these events are primarily due to Compton scattering process charm+gluon -> charm+photon, with the final state charm quark producing a muon. The cross section for events with a photon transverse momentum between 12 and 40 GeV/c is measured to be 46.8+-6.3+-7.5 pb, which is two standard deviations below the most recent theoretical prediction. A significant fraction of the events in the sample contain a final-state bottom quark. The ratio of charm to bottom production is measured to be 2.4+-1.2, in good agreement with QCD models.
We present a new measurement of the inclusive and differential production cross sections of $J/\psi$ mesons and $b$-hadrons in proton-antiproton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1960$ GeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 39.7 pb$^{-1}$ collected by the CDF Run II detector. We find the integrated cross section for inclusive $J/\psi$ production for all transverse momenta from 0 to 20 GeV/$c$ in the rapidity range $|y|<0.6$ to be $4.08 \pm 0.02 (stat)^{+0.36}_{-0.33} (syst) \mu {\rm b}$. We separate the fraction of $J/\psi$ events from the decay of the long-lived $b$-hadrons using the lifetime distribution in all events with $p_T(J/\psi) > 1.25$ GeV/$c$. We find the total cross section for $b$-hadrons, including both hadrons and anti-hadrons, decaying to $J/\psi$ with transverse momenta greater than 1.25 GeV/$c$ in the rapidity range $|y(J/\psi)|<0.6$, is $ 0.330 \pm 0.005 (stat) ^{+0.036}_{-0.033} (syst) ~\mu{\rm b}$. Using a Monte Carlo simulation of the decay kinematics of $b$-hadrons to all final states containing a $J/\psi$, we extract the first measurement of the total single $b$-hadron cross section down to zero transverse momentum at $\sqrt{s}=1960$ GeV. We find the total single $b$-hadron cross section integrated over all transverse momenta for $b$-hadrons in the rapidity range $|y|<0.6$ to be $ 17.6 \pm 0.4 (stat)^{+2.5}_{-2.3} (syst) \mu{\rm b}$.
We present a new measurement of the Z/gamma* transverse momentum distribution in the range 0 - 330GeV, in proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. The measurement uses 0.97 fb-1 of integrated luminosity recorded by the D0 experiment and is the first using the Z/gamma*->mu+mu- + X channel at this center-of-mass energy. This is also the first measurement of the Z/gamma* transverse momentum distribution that presents the result at the level of particles entering the detector, minimizing dependence on theoretical models. As any momentum of the Z/gamma* in the plane transverse to the incoming beams must be balanced by some recoiling system, primarily the result of QCD radiation in the initial state, this variable is an excellent probe of the underlying process. Tests of the predictions of QCD calculations and current event generators show they have varied success in describing the data. Using this measurement as an input to theoretical predictions will allow for a better description of hadron collider data and hence it will increase experimental sensitivity to rare signals.
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