Study of D_sJ ^{(*) +} mesons decaying to D^{∗ +}K_S ⁰ and D^*0K⁺ final states

Abstract: A search is performed for D_sJ ^{(*) +} mesons in the reactions pp → D^{∗ +}K_S ⁰X and pp → D^*0K⁺X using data collected at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV with the LHCb detector. For the D^{∗ +}K_S ⁰ final state, the decays D^*+ → D⁰π⁺ with D⁰ → K⁻π⁺ and D⁰ → K⁻π⁺π⁺π⁻ are used. For D^*0K⁺, the decay D^*0 → D⁰π⁰ with D⁰ → K⁻π⁺ is used. A prominent D_s1(2536)⁺ signal is observed in both D^{∗ +}K_S ⁰ and D^*0K⁺ final states. The resonances D_s1 ^*(2700)⁺ and D_s3 ^*(2860)⁺ are also observed, yielding information on their properties, including spin-parity assignments. The decay D_s2 ^*(2573)⁺ → D^{∗ +}K_S ⁰ is observed for the first time, at a significance of 6.9 σ, and its branching fraction relative to the D_s2 ^*(2573)⁺ → D⁺K_S ⁰ decay mode is measured.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]