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LHCb Detects Doubly Charmed Baryon Ξcc⁺ With 7-Sigma Significance

An upgraded LHCb detector analyzing first-year Run‑3 data made the short-lived ccd state visible.

Overview

  • The signal appears as a roughly 915‑event peak at an invariant mass of 3619.97 ± 0.83 MeV/c², about four times a proton’s mass.
  • The observation exceeds the particle‑physics discovery bar with a statistical significance of 7 sigma.
  • Results were presented at the Rencontres de Moriond conference, with a full scientific publication expected.
  • The Ξcc⁺ (ccd) is the isospin partner of LHCb’s 2017 Ξcc⁺⁺ (ccu) and helps resolve earlier, conflicting SELEX-era claims.
  • The measurement provides new tests for quantum chromodynamics and demonstrates the sensitivity of LHCb’s 2023 upgrade to rare hadrons.