STCF conceptual design report (Volume 1): Physics & detector

The superτ-charm facility(STCF)is an electron–positron collider proposed by the Chinese particle physics community.It is designed to operate in a center-of-mass energy range from 2 to 7 GeV with a peak luminosity of 0.5×10^(35) cm^(–2)·s^(–1) or higher.The STCF will produce a data sample about a factor of 100 larger than that of the presentτ-charm factory—the BEPCII,providing a unique platform for exploring the asymmetry of matter-antimatter(charge-parity violation),in-depth studies of the internal structure of hadrons and the nature of non-perturbative strong interactions,as well as searching for exotic hadrons and physics beyond the Standard Model.The STCF project in China is under development with an extensive R&D program.This document presents the physics opportunities at the STCF,describes conceptual designs of the STCF detector system,and discusses future plans for detector R&D and physics case studies.

Amplitude analysis of the decays D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(+)π^(−)and D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(0)π^(0)

Using e^(+)e^(−)annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb^(−1)taken at the center-of-mass energy√s=3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector,a joint amplitude analysis is performed on the decays D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(+)π^(−)and D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(0)π^(0)(non-η).The fit fractions of individual components are obtained,and large interferences among the dominant components of the decays D^(0)→a_(1)(1260)π,D^(0)→π(1300)π,D^(0)→ρ(770)ρ(770),and D^(0)→2(ππ)_(S)are observed in both channels.With the obtained amplitude model,the CP-even fractions of D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(+)π^(−)and D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(0)π^(0)(non-η)are determined to be(75.2±1.1_(stat).±1.5_(syst.))%and(68.9±1.5_(stat).±2.4_(syst.))%,respectively.The branching fractions of D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(+)π^(−)and D^(0)→π^(+)π^(−)π^(0)π^(0)(non-η)are measured to be(0.688±0.010_(stat.)±0.010_(syst.))%and(0.951±0.025_(stat.)±0.021_(syst.))%,respectively.The amplitude analysis provides an important model for the binning strategy in measuring the strong phase parameters of D^(0)→4πwhen used to determine the CKM angleγ(ϕ_(3))via the B^(−)→DK^(−)decay.

Determination of the number ofψ(3686)events taken at BESⅢ

The number ofψ(3686)events collected by the BESⅢdetector during the 2021 run period is determined to be(2259.3±11.1)×10~6 by counting inclusiveψ(3686)hadronic events.The uncertainty is systematic and the statistical uncertainty is negligible.Meanwhile,the numbers ofψ(3686)events collected during the 2009 and 2012run periods are updated to be(107.7±0.6)×10~6 and(345.4±2.6)×10~6,respectively.Both numbers are consistent with the previous measurements within one standard deviation.The total number ofψ(3686)events in the three data samples is(2712.4±14.3)×10~6.

Observation of e^(+)e^(-)→pppñπ-+c.c.

Using data taken at 29 center-of-mass energies between 4.16 and 4.70 GeV with the BESⅢdetector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of approximately 18.8 fb^(-1),the process e^(+)e^(-)→pppñπ+c.c.is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 11.5σ.The average Born cross sections in the energy ranges of(4.160,4.380)GeV,(4.400,4.600)GeV and(4.610,4.700)GeV are measured to be(21.5±5.7±1.2)fb,(46.3±10.6±2.5)fb and(59.0±9.4±3.2)fb,respectively,where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.The line shapes of the pñ and ppπ^(-)invariant mass spectra are consistent with phase space distributions,indicating that no hexaquark or di-baryon state is observed.

Search for hidden-charm tetraquark with strangeness in e^(+)e^(−)→K^(+)D_(s)^(∗−) D^(∗0 )+ c.c.

We report a search for a heavier partner of the recently observed Z_(cs)(3985)^(-) state,denoted as Z_(cs)^('-),in the process e^(+)e^(−)→K^(+)D_(s)^(∗−) D^(∗0 )+ c.c.,based on e^(*)e^(-)collision data collected at the center-of-mass energies of √s=4.661,4.682 and 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector.The Z_(cs)^('-) is of interest as it is expected to be a candidate for a hidden-charm and open-strange tetraquark.A partial-reconstruction technique is used to isolate K^(+)recoil-mass spectra,which are probed for a potential contribution from Z_(cs)^('-)→D_(s)^(∗−) D^(∗0 )+ c.c.We find an excess of Z_(cs)^('-)→D_(s)^(*-)-D^(*0)(c.c.)candidates with a significance of 2.1o,after considering systematic uncertainties,at a mass of(4123.5±0.7_(sat)±4.7_(syst.))MeV/c^(2).As the data set is limited in size,the upper limits are evaluated at the 90%confidence level on the product of the Born cross sections(σ^(Borm))and the branching fraction(B)of Z_(cs)^('-)→D_(s)^(*-)-D^(*0),under different assumptions of the Z_(cs)^('-) mass from 4.120 to 4.140 MeV and of the width from 10 to 50 MeV at the three center-of-mass energies.The upper limits of σ^(Born).B are found to be at the level of O(1)pb at each energy.Larger data samples are needed to confirm the Z_(cs)^('-) state and clarify its nature in the coming years.

Search for the weak decayψ(3686)→■+c.c.

Using(448.1±2.9)×10^(6)ψ(3686)for the weak baryonic decayψ(3686)→Λc+∑-+c.c..The analysis procedure is optimized using a blinded method.No significant signal is observed,and the upper limit on the branching fraction(B)ofψ(3686)→Λc+∑-+c.c.is set as 1.4×10^(-5)at the 90%confidence level.

Observations of the Cabibbo-Suppressed decays Λ_(c)^(+)→nπ+π^(0),nπ^(+)π^(-)π^(+) and the Cabibbo-Favored decay Λ_(c)^(+)→nK^(-)π^(+)π^(+)

Using electron-positron annihilation data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.5 fb-1,collected by the BESⅢdetector in the energy region between 4599.53 MeV and 4698.82 MeV,we report the first observations of the Cabibbo-suppressed decaysΛ_(c)^(+)→nπ^(+)π^(0),Λ_(c)^(+)→nπ^(+)π^(-)π^(+),and the Cabibbo-favored decayΛ_(c)^(+)→nK^(-)π^(+)π^(+)with statistical significances of 7.9σ,7.8σ,and>10σ,respectively.The branching fractions of these decays are measured to be B(Λ_(c)^(+)→nπ^(+)π^(0))=(0.64±0.09±0.02)%,B(Λ_(c)^(+)→nπ^(+)π^(-)π^(+))=(0.45±0.07±0.03)%,and B(Λ_(c)^(+)→nK^(-)π^(+)π^(+))=(1.90±0.08±0.09)%,where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.We find that the branching fraction of the decayΛ_(c)^(+)→nπ^(+)π^(0)is about one order of magnitude higher than that ofΛ_(c)^(+)→nπ^(+).

Measurements of the center-of-mass energies of e^(+)e^(-)collisions at BESIII

During the 2016-17 and 2018-19 running periods,the BESIII experiment collected 7.5 fb of e^(+)e^(-)collision data at center-of-mass energies ranging from 4.13 to 4.44 GeV.These data samples are primarily used for the study of excited charmonium and charmoniumlike states.By analyzing the di-muon process e^(+)e^(-)→(γISR=FSR)μ^(+)μ^(-),we measure the center-of-mass energies of the data samples with a precision of 0.6 MeV.Through a run-by-run study,we find that the center-of-mass energies were stable throughout most of the data-collection period.

Future Physics Programme of BESⅢ

There has recently been a dramatic renewal of interest in hadron spectroscopy and charm physics. This renaissance has been driven in part by the discovery of a plethora of charmonium-like XYZ states at BESⅢ and B factories, and the observation of an intriguing proton-antiproton threshold enhancement and the possibly related X(1835) meson state at BESⅢ, as well as the threshold measurements of charm mesons and charm baryons. We present a detailed survey of the important topics in tau-charm physics and hadron physics that can be further explored at BESⅢ during the remaining operation period of BEPCⅡ. This survey will help in the optimization of the data-taking plan over the coming years, and provides physics motivation for the possible upgrade of BEPCⅡ to higher luminosity.

Study of BESIII trigger efficiencies with the 2018 J/ψ data

Using a dedicated data sample taken in 2018 on the J/ψpeak,we perform a detailed study of the trigger efficiencies of the BESIII detector.The efficiencies are determined from three representative physics processes,namely Bhabha scattering,dimuon production and generic hadronic events with charged particles.The combined efficiency of all active triggers approaches 100%in most cases,with uncertainties small enough not to affect most physics analyses.

Measurement of the integrated luminosity of the Phase 2 data of the Belle Ⅱ experiment

From April to July 2018,a data sample at the peak energy of the T(4 S) resonance was collected with the Belle Ⅱ detector at the SuperKEKB electron-positron collider.This is the first data sample of the Belle Ⅱ experiment.Using Bhabha and digamma events,we measure the integrated luminosity of the data sample to be(496.3±0.3±3.0) pb-1,where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.This work provides a basis for future luminosity measurements at Belle Ⅱ.

Determination of the number of ψ' events at BES Ⅲ

The number of φ＇ events accumulated by the BESIII experiment from March 3 through April 14, 2009, is determined by counting inclusive hadronic events. The result is 106.41×（1.00±0.81%）×10^6. The error is systematic dominant; the statistical error is negligible.

Number of J/ψ events at BESIII

Using inclusive decays of J/ψ aprecise determination of the number of J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector was performed.For the two data sets taken in 2009 and 2012,the numbers of J/ψ events were recalculated to be(224.0±1.3)×10^(6) and(1088.5±4.4)×10^(6),respectively;these numbers are in good agreement with the previous measurements. For the J/ψ sample taken in 2017-2019,the number of events was determined to be(8774.0±39.4)×10^(6).The total number of J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector was determined to be(10087±44)×10^(6),where the uncertainty is dominated by systematic effects,and the statistical uncertainty is negligible.

Observation of e^+e^-→D_s^+■^((*)0)K^- and study of the P-wave D_s mesons

Studies of e^+e~→D_s^+■^((*)0)K^-and the P-wave charmed-strange mesons are performed based on an e^+e^-collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 567 pb^(-1) collected with the BESIII detector at s^(1/2)=4.600 GeV. The processes of e^+e^-→D_s^+■^(*0)K^- and D_s^+■~0K^- are observed for the first time and are found to be dominated by the modes D_s^+D_(s1)(2536)^-and D_s^+D_(s2)~*(2573)^-, respectively. The Born cross sections are measured to be σ~B(e^+e^-→D_s^+■^(*0)K^-) =(10.1±2.3±0.8) pb and σ~B(e^+e^-→D_s^+■~0K^-) =(19.4±2.3± 1.6) pb, and the products of Born cross section and the decay branching fraction are measured to be σ~B(e^+e^-→D_s^+D_(s1)(2536)^-+c.c.)·B(D_(s1)(2536)^-→■^(*0)K^-)=(7.5±1.8±0.7) pb and σ~B(e^+e^-→D_s^+D_(s2)~*(2573)^-+ c.c.)·B(D_(s2)~*(2573)^-→■~0 K^-)=(19.7 ± 2.9 ±2.0) pb. For the D_(s1)(2536)^-and D_(s2)~*(2573)^-mesons, the masses and widths are measured to be M(D_(s1)(2536)^-)=(2537.7±0.5 ±3.1) MeV/c2, Γ(D_(s1)(2536)^-) =(1.7 ±1.2 ±0.6)MeV, and M(D_(s2)~*(2573)^-)=(2570.7±2.0 ±1.7) MeV/c^2, Γ(D_(s2)~*(2573)^-)=(17.2 ±3.6 ±1.1) MeV. The spin-parity of the D_(s2)~*(2573)^-meson is determined to be J^p= 2^+. In addition, the processes e^+e^-→D_s^+■^((*)0)K^-are searched for using the data samples taken at four(two) center-of-mass energies between 4.416(4.527) and 4.575 GeV, and upper limits at the 90% confidence level on the cross sections are determined.

Measurement of integrated luminosities at BESⅢ for data samples at center-of-mass energies between 4.0 and 4.6 GeV

The integrated luminosities of data samples collected in the BESⅢ experiment in 2016-2017 at centerof-mass energies between 4.19 and 4.28 GeV are measured with a precision better than 1% by analyzing large-angle Bhabha scattering events.The integrated luminosities of old datasets collected in 2010-2014 are updated by considering corrections related to detector performance,offsetting the effect of newly discovered readout errors in the electromagnetic calorimeter,which can haphazardly occur.

Luminosities and energies of e^(+)e^(−) collision data taken between √s=4.61 GeV and 4.95 GeV at BESⅢ

From December 2019 to June 2021,the BESⅢ experiment collected approximately 5.85 fb^(−1) of data at center-of-mass energies between 4.61 and 4.95 GeV.This is the highest collision energy BEPCⅡ has reached to date.The accumulated e^(+)e^(−) annihilation data samples are useful for studying charmonium(-like)states and charmed-hadron decays.By adopting a novel method of analyzing the production of A_(c)^(+)A_(c)^(-) pairs in e^(+)e^(−) annihilation,the center-of-mass energies are measured with a precision of 0.6 MeV.Integrated luminosities are measured with a precision of better than 1% by analyzing the events of large-angle Bhabha scattering.These measurements provide important inputs to analyses based on these data samples.

Observation of the Y(4230)and a new structure in e^(+)e^(-)→K^(+)K^(-)J/Ψ

The cross sections of e^(+)e^(-)→K^(+)K^(-)J/Ψat center-of-mass energies from 4.127 to 4.600 GeV are measured based on 15.6 fb-1data collected with the BESⅢ detector operating at the BEPCⅡ storage ring.Two resonant structures are observed in the line shape of the cross sections.The mass and width of the first structure are measured to be(4225.3±2.3±21.5)MeV and(72.9±6.1±30.8)MeV,respectively.They are consistent with those of the established Y(4230).The second structure is observed for the first time with a statistical significance greater than 8σ,denoted as Y(4500).Its mass and width are determined to be(4484.7±13.3±24.1)MeV and(111.1±30.1±15.2)MeV,respectively.The first presented uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic.The product of the electronic partial width with the decay branching fractionΓ(Y(4230)→e^(+)e^(−))B(Y(4230)→K^(+)K^(−)J/Ψ)is reported.

Issues and Opportunities in Exotic Hadrons

The last few years have been witness to a proliferation of new results concerning heavy exotic hadrons.Experimentally, many new signals have been discovered that could be pointing towards the existence of tetraquarks,pentaquarks, and other exotic configurations of quarks and gluons. Theoretically, advances in lattice field theory techniques place us at the cusp of understanding complex coupled-channel phenomena, modelling grows more sophisticated, and effective field theories are being applied to an ever greater range of situations. It is thus an opportune time to evaluate the status of the field. In the following, a series of high priority experimental and theoretical issues concerning heavy exotic hadrons is presented.