Measurement of D∗s-Ds mass difference

Abstract Using the ARGUS detector at DORIS, we observe the production of D ∗+ s mesons in e + e − annihilation through their subsequent decays to a D + s and a photon. Photons which convert in the beam pipe or drift chamber inner wall are used to obtain a high precision measurement of the D ∗+ s -D + s mass difference, while photons detected in the shower counters are used to determine the production cross section, and to provide an independent measurement of the D ∗+ s -D + s mass difference. The observed D ∗+ s - D + s mass difference is 142.5±0.8±1.5 MeV/ c 2 , and σ(e + e − →D ∗+ s X)·BR(D ∗+ s →D + s γ)(·BR(D + s →φπ + ) is 4.4±1.1±1.0 pb at 10.2 GeV. The width of the D ∗+ s is less than 4.5 MeV/ c 2 at 90% confidence level.