A model-independent measurement of the CKM angle γ in partially reconstructed B± → Dh± decays with D → $$ {K}_S^0 $$h+h− (h = π, K)

A measurement of CP -violating observables in B ± → D * K ± and B ± → D * π ± decays is made where the photon or neutral pion from the D * → D γ or D * → D π 0 decay is not reconstructed. The D meson is reconstructed in the self-conjugate decay modes, D → $$ {K}_S^0 $$ K S 0 π + π − or D → $$ {K}_S^0 $$ K S 0 K + K − . The distribution of signal yields in the D decay phase space is analysed in a model-independent way. The measurement uses a data sample collected in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of approximately 9 fb − 1 . The B ± → D * K ± and B ± → D * π ± CP -violating observables are interpreted in terms of hadronic parameters and the CKM angle γ, resulting in a measurement of γ = ( $$ {92}_{-17}^{+21} $$ 92 − 17 + 21 ) ° . The total uncertainty includes the statistical and systematic uncertainties, and the uncertainty due to external strong-phase inputs.