Search for Scalar Leptoquark Pairs Decaying to $\hat{I}½\bar{\hat{I}}½q\bar{q}$ in \ppbar Collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV

Abstract

We report on a search for the pair production of scalar leptoquarks, $LQ$, using 191 pb${}^{-1}$ of proton-antiproton collision data recorded by the CDF experiment during Run II of the Tevatron. The leptoquarks are sought via their decay into a neutrino and quark yielding missing transverse energy and several jets of large transverse energy. No evidence for leptoquark production is observed, and limits are set on $\ddot{I}ƒ(p\bar{p}\to LQ\overline{LQ}X\to \hat{I}½\bar{\hat{I}}½q\bar{q}X)$. Using a next-to-leading order theoretical prediction of the cross section for scalar leptoquark production, we exclude first-generation leptoquarks in the mass interval 78 to 117 GeV$/c^2$ at the 95% confidence level for BR($LQ\to \hat{I}½q)=100$.

7 pages, 2 figures, Submitted to PRL