Search for the B_c meson in hadronic Z⁰ decays using the OPAL detector at LEP

A search for decays of the B{sub c} meson was performed using data collected from 1990--1995 with the OPAL detector on or near the Z{sup 0} peak at LEP. The decay channels B{sub c}{sup +} {r_arrow} J/{psi}{pi}{sup +}, B{sub c}{sup +} {r_arrow} J/{psi}a{sub 1}{sup +} and B{sub c}{sup +} {r_arrow} J/{psi}{ell}{sup +}{nu} were investigated, where {ell} denotes an electron or a muon. Two candidates are observed in the mode B{sub c}{sup +} {r_arrow} J/{psi}{pi}{sup +}, with an estimated background of (0.63 {+-} 0.20) events. The weighted mean of the masses of the two candidates is (6.32 {+-} 0.06) GeV/c{sup 2}, which is consistent with the predicted mass of the B{sub c} meson. One candidate event is observed in the mode B{sub c}{sup +} {r_arrow} J/{psi}{ell}{sup +}{nu}, with an estimated background of (0.82 {+-} 0.19) events. No candidate events are observed in the B{sub c}{sup +} {r_arrow} J/{psi}a{sub 1}{sup +} decay mode, with an estimated background of (1.10 {+-} 0.22) events. Upper bounds at the 90% confidence level are set on the production rates for these processes