Search for the Rare Decays $B^0_s \to e^+e^-$ and $B^0 \to e^+e^-$
R. Aaij, C. Abellán Beteta, T. Ackernley, B. Adeva, M. Adinolfi, H. Afsharnia, C. A. Aidala
Abstract
A search for the decays $B^0_s\to e^+e^-$ and $B^0\to e^+e^-$ is performed using data collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 2 fb$^{-1}$, respectively. No signal is observed. Assuming no contribution from $B^0\to e^+e^-$ decays, an upper limit on the branching fraction $B$($B^0_s\to e^+e^-$)<9.4(11.2)×10$^{-9}$ is obtained at 90(95)% confidence level. If no $B^0_s\to e^+e^-$ contribution is assumed, a limit of $B$($B^0\to e^+e^-$)<2.5(3.0)×10$^{-9}$ is determined at 90(95)% confidence level. These upper limits are more than one order of magnitude lower than the previous values.