Search for pair production of scalar bottom quarks in pp̅ collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

Abstract

A search for direct production of scalar bottom quarks (b^~) is performed with 310pb^-1 of data collected by the D∅ experiment in pp^- collisions at √s=1.96 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The topology analyzed consists of two b jets and an imbalance in transverse momentum due to undetected neutralinos (χ ^~₁⁰), with χ^~₁⁰ assumed to be the lightest supersymmetric particle. We find the data consistent with standard model expectations, and set a 95% C.L. exclusion domain in the (m_b^~, mχ ^~₁⁰) mass plane, improving significantly upon the results from run I of the Tevatron.