First Experimental Constraint on the Scalar Current in the $D^{0(+)}\to \bar K\ell^+ν_{\ell}$ Transition

Abstract

Using 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ of $e^+e^-$ collision data taken at the center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=3.773$ GeV, we report the first experimental constraint on the scalar current in the $D^{0(+)}\to \bar K\ell^+ν_{\ell}$ transitions, based on a simultaneous fit to the first measured forward-backward asymmetries and precisely determined partial decay rates. The parameters of the scalar current are determined to be ${\rm Re}(c_S^μ)=0.017\pm0.008_{\rm stat}\pm0.006_{\rm syst}$ and ${\rm Im}(c_S^μ)=\pm(0.077\pm0.011_{\rm stat}\pm0.009_{\rm syst})$, which deviates from the SM by a significance of $2.3σ$. The branching fractions of $D^{0(+)}\to \bar K\ell^+ν_\ell$, the hadronic form factor $f_+(0)$, and the modulus of the $c\to s$ CKM matrix element $|V_{cs}|$ are also determined with improved precision. In addition, lepton flavor universality is tested via the ratios of the decay rates between semi-muonic and semi-electronic decays in the full momentum transfer range and in subranges.