Search for scalar top quark production in pp¯ collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV

Abstract

We report on a search for the supersymmetric partner of the top quark (scalar top) decaying into a charm quark and a neutralino in pp¯ collisions at √ s = 1.96 TeV. The data sample, collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.6 fb−1 . Candidate events are selected by requiring two or more jets and a large imbalance in the transverse momentum. To enhance the analysis sensitivity, at least one of the jets is required to be identified as originating from a charm quark using an algorithm specifically designed for this analysis. The selected events are in good agreement with standard model predictions. In the case of large mass splitting between the scalar top quark and the neutralino we exclude a scalar top quark mass below 180 GeV/c2 at 95% confidence level.