Flavor-changing Neutral Current Decay Research Articles

Dark matter as the trigger of flavor changing neutral current decays of the top quark

We suggest a simplified model that simultaneously addresses the dark matter problem and gives rise to top-quark flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) interactions at the one-loop order. The model consists of two extra SU(2)L gauge singlets: a colored mediator of spin zero (S) and a right-handed fermion (χ); both are odd under an Z2 symmetry. The right-handed fermion plays the role of the dark matter candidate. In this model, the presence of the two dark sector particles generates one-loop induced FCNC decays of the top quark into light quarks and bosons such as the gluon, the photon, the Z boson, or the Higgs boson. As a case study, we analyze the top-quark FCNC decays into light quarks (u or c) and Z or Higgs bosons. We then study the reliable solutions to the dark matter problem by estimating the regions in the parameter space that are consistent with the measurement of the dark matter relic density. We also revisit the bounds from the searches of dark matter in events with at least one high-pT jet and large missing transverse energy at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We then define four benchmark points that are consistent with the existing constraints from collider experiments and cosmology. We finally estimate, for these benchmark scenarios, the rates of a broad range of channels that can be used to probe the connection between the top FCNC transitions and dark matter, both at the HL-LHC and at a future 100 TeV collider. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Top-quark FCNC decays, LFVs, lepton g − 2, and W mass anomaly with inert charged Higgses

The observed flavor-changing neutral-current (FCNC) processes in the standard model (SM) arise from the loop diagrams involving the weak charged currents mediated by the W-gauge boson. Nevertheless, the top-quark FCNCs and lepton flavor-violating processes resulting from the same mechanism are highly suppressed. We investigate possible new physics effects that can enhance the suppressed FCNC processes, such as a top quark decaying into a light quark with a Higgs or gauge boson in the final state, i.e. t → q(h, V) with V = γ, Z, g, h→ℓℓ′ , and ℓ→ℓ′γ . To achieve the assumption that the induced FCNCs are all from quantum loops, we consider the scotogenic mechanism, where a Z 2 symmetry is introduced and only new particles carry an odd Z 2 parity. With the extension of the SM to include an inert Higgs doublet, an inert charged Higgs singlet, a vector-like singlet quark, and two neutral leptons, it is found that, with relevant constraints taken into account, the t → c(h, Z), h → μ τ, and τ → ℓ γ decays can be enhanced up to the expected sensitivities in experiments. The branching ratios of h → μ + μ −/τ + τ − from only new physics effects can reach up to O(10−3) . Intriguingly, the resulting muon g − 2 can fit the combined data within 2 standard deviations, whereas the electron g − 2 can have either sign with a magnitude of O(10−13−10−12) . In addition, we examine the oblique parameters in the model and find that the resulting W-mass anomaly observed by CDF II can be accommodated.

Rare top quark decays in the minimal R-symmetric supersymmetric standard model

The one-loop contributions to the flavor-changing neutral current decays of the top quark into a light quark and a gauge boson or Higgs boson, namely, [Formula: see text], with q being u or c, and V being [Formula: see text], g, or Z, are analyzed in this study within the framework of the minimal R-symmetric supersymmetric standard model. The charginos in this model have been separated into two sets, i.e. [Formula: see text]-chargino and [Formula: see text]-chargino. The numerical results reveal that gluino or [Formula: see text]-chargino predominantly dictate the predictions for BR ([Formula: see text]), while the impact of neutralino or [Formula: see text]-chargino contributions is insignificant. By incorporating the constraints imposed by the squark mixing parameters from [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the theoretical predictions for BR([Formula: see text]) can be significantly augmented to approximately [Formula: see text]. On the other hand, the values of BR([Formula: see text]) are predicted to be at least four orders of magnitude below the current experimental limits.

Flavour-changing top quark decays in the alternative left-right model

We examine flavour-changing neutral-current decays of the top quark, t→qγ, t→qZ, t→qH, and t→qg (with q=u,c), in the Alternative Left-Right Model, a left right-symmetric model featuring exotic quarks and light bosons. These decays have a very small probability of occurring within the Standard Model, but they can be enhanced in this model through the presence of the exotic states. While associated signals may be detected directly at the LHC, rare decays have the advantage of offering means to probe new particles indirectly, through loop-contributions. We perform a comprehensive analysis of the model's parameter space to demonstrate the possible existence of enhancements in the corresponding branching ratios, of 106 for the branching ratios B(t→uZ) and B(t→uH), and in the range of 102−104 for the other decays, relative to the Standard Model. We subsequently determine the preferred parameter space regions of the model in terms of potential of being reached in the near future.

A New Look at b → s Observables in 331 Models

Flavour changing neutral current (FCNC) processes are described by loop diagrams in the Standard Model (SM), while in 331 models, based on the gauge group SU(3)C×SU(3)L×U(1)X, they are dominated by tree-level exchanges of a new heavy neutral gauge boson Z′. By exploiting this feature, observables related to FCNC decays of K, Bd and Bs mesons can be considered in several variants of 331 models. The variants are distinguished by the value of a parameter β that plays a key role in this framework. Imposing constraints on the ΔF=2 observables, we select possible ranges for the mass of the Z′ boson in correspondence to the values β=±k/3, with k=1,2. The results are used to determine the impact of 331 models on b→s processes and on the correlations among them, in the light of new experimental data recently released.

FCNC charmed-hadron decays with invisible singlet particles in light of recent data

The flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) decays of charmed hadrons with missing energy (Ɇ) can serve as potentially promising hunting grounds for hints of new physics, as the standard-model backgrounds are very suppressed. A few of such processes have been searched for in recent experiments, specifically D0→ Ɇ by Belle and D0→ π0Ɇ and Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_c^{+} $$\\end{document}→ pɆ by BESIII, resulting in upper bounds on their branching fractions. We consider them to illuminate the possible contributions of the quark transition c → uɆ with a couple of invisible spinless bosons carrying away the missing energy, assuming that they are not charge conjugates of each other and hence can have unequal masses. We find that these data are complementary in that they constrain different sets of the underlying operators and do not cover the same ranges of the bosons’ masses, but there are regions not yet accessible. From the allowed parameter space, we show that other D-meson decays, such as D → ρɆ, and the charmed-baryon ones Ξc → (Σ, Λ)Ɇ can have sizable branching fractions and therefore may offer further probes of the new-physics interactions. We point out the importance of D0 → γɆ which are not yet searched for but could access parts of the parameter space beyond the reach of the other modes. In addition, we look at a scenario where the invisibles are instead fermionic, namely sterile neutrinos, and a scalar leptoquark mediates c → uɆ. We discuss the implications of the aforesaid bounds for this model. The predictions we make for the various charmed-hadron decays in the different scenarios may be testable in the near future by BESIII and Belle II.

Search for a new scalar resonance in flavour-changing neutral-current top-quark decays t → qX (q = u, c), with X → boverline{b} , in proton-proton collisions at sqrt{s} = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for flavour-changing neutral-current decays of a top quark into an up-type quark (either up or charm) and a light scalar particle X decaying into a bottom anti-bottom quark pair is presented. The search focuses on top-quark pair production where one top quark decays to qX, with X → boverline{b} , and the other top quark decays according to the Standard Model, with the W boson decaying leptonically. The final state is thus characterised by an isolated electron or muon and at least four jets. Events are categorised according to the multiplicity of jets and jets tagged as originating from b-quarks, and a neural network is used to discriminate between signal and background processes. The data analysed correspond to 139 fb−1 of proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The 95% confidence-level upper limits between 0.019% and 0.062% are derived for the branching fraction mathcal{B} (t → uX) and between 0.018% and 0.078% for the branching fraction mathcal{B} (t → cX), for masses of the scalar particle X between 20 and 160 GeV.

Rare decay t→cγγ via scalar leptoquark doublets

A calculation of the one-loop contribution to the rare three-body flavor changing neutral current top quark decay $t\to c\gamma\gamma$ is presented in the framework of models with one or more scalar leptoquark $SU(2)$ doublets with hypercharge $7/6$. Analytical expressions for the invariant amplitude of the generic decay $f_i\to f_j\gamma\gamma$, with $f_{i,j}$ a lepton or quark, are presented in terms of Passarino-Veltman integral coefficients, from which the amplitudes for the processes $t\to c\gamma\gamma$ and $\ell_i\to \ell_j\gamma\gamma$ follow easily. An analysis of the current constraints on the parameter space is presented in the scenario with only one scalar LQ doublet and bounds on the LQ couplings are obtained from the muon $g-2$ anomaly, the lepton flavor violating (LFV) decay $\tau\to \mu\gamma$ and extra constraints meant to avoid tension between theory predictions and experimental data. For a LQ with a mass in the range of $1$--$1.5$ TeVs, the estimate ${\rm Br}(t\to c\gamma\gamma)\sim 10^{-11}$--$10^{-12}$ is obtained for the largest allowed values of the LQ coupling constants, which means that this decay would be below the reach of future experimental measurements. We also consider an scenario with three scalar doublets, which was recently proposed to explain the lepton flavor universality violation anomalies in $B$ decays as well as the muon $g-2$ anomaly. Although this scenario allows large LQ couplings to the tau lepton and the $c$ and $t$ quarks, the branching ratio of the $t\to c\gamma\gamma$ decay is also of the order of $10^{-11}$--$10^{-12}$ for LQ masses of 1.7 TeV.

Dark photon and dark Z mediated B meson decays

We study flavor changing neutral current decays of B and K mesons in the dark U(1)D model, with the dark photon/dark Z mass between 10 MeV and 2 GeV. Although the model provides an improved fit (compared to the standard model) to the differential decay distributions of B → K(∗)ℓ+ℓ−, with ℓ = μ, e, and Bs→ ϕμ+μ−, the allowed parameter space is ruled out by measurements of atomic parity violation, K+→ μ+ + invisible decay, and {B}_s-{overline{B}}_s mixing, among others. To evade constraints from low energy data, we extend the model to allow for (1) additional invisible ZD decay, (2) a direct vector coupling of ZD to muons, and (3) a direct coupling of ZD to both muons and electrons, with the electron coupling fine-tuned to cancel the ZD coupling to electrons via mixing. We find that only the latter case survives all constraints.

HIKE: High Intensity Kaon Experiments at the CERN SPS

The availability of high intensity kaon beams at the CERN SPS North Area gives rise to unique possibilities for sensitive tests of the Standard Model in the quark flavor sector. Precise measurements of the branching ratios for the flavor-changing neutral current decays can provide unique constraints on CKM unitarity and, potentially, evidence for new physics. Building on the success of the NA62 experiment, plans are taking shape at CERN for a comprehensive program that will include experimental phases to measure the branching ratio for to ∼5% and to to ∼20% precision. These planned experiments would also carry out lepton flavor universality tests, lepton number and flavor conservation tests, and perform other precision measurements in the kaon sector, as well as searches for exotic particles in kaon decays. We overview the physics goals, detector requirements, and project status for the next generation of kaon physics experiments at CERN.

Measurement of the rare decay K + → π + μ + μ − at the NA62 experiment

The NA62 experiment at CERN reports results from the study of the flavour-changing neutral current decay K + → π + μ + μ − using a data sample recorded in 2017–2018 with a dedicated pre-scaled di-muon trigger. The sample comprises about 28k signal events with negligible background contamination, and the presented results include the most precise determination of the corresponding branching fraction and the form factor parameters.

Scotogenic top-quark FCNC decays

Flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) top-quark decays are highly suppressed due to the Glashow-Iliopoulos-Maiani mechanism in the standard model (SM). If $t\to q h, qV$ with $V=g,\gamma, Z$ are all induced via quantum loop levels, then we investigate the effect that can enhance the top-FCNC up to the sensitivity designed at the high-luminosity (HL) LHC. Inspired by the mechanism of the scotogenic neutrino mass, we extend the SM by including $Z_2$-odd colored fermions when a $Z_2$ discrete is imposed. The results show that by taking $BR(t\to u g) \lesssim 0.61 \times 10^{-4}$ recently measured by ATLAS as an input, $t\to q \gamma$ can be indirectly bounded to be $BR(t\to q \gamma)\lesssim 3.2 \times 10^{-6}$, which is below the expected sensitivity at the HL LHC. After taking potential constraints from various experiments into account, the obtained branching ratios for the loop-induced $t\to q h$ and $t\to qZ$ decays can be $O(10^{-4})$, which falls within the sensitivity at the HL LHC.

New measurement of the K+ → π+μ+μ− decay at NA62

The flavour-changing neutral current decay K+→π+μ+μ− is induced at the one-loop level in the Standard Model, and is well suited to explore its structure and, possibly, its extensions. The NA62 experiment took data in 2016–2018 with the main goal of measuring the K+→π+ν+ν− decay. A scaled down di-muon trigger chain was operating along with the main trigger during the whole data taking period resulting in a large sample of about 3×1012 kaon decays in the fiducial volume recorded using the di-muon trigger. New results from an analysis of the K+→π+μ+μ− decay using this sample will be presented.

Searching for BSM physics in Yukawa couplings and flavour symmetries

In the framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory, we compare the lower bounds on the scale of new physics possibly contributing to the foverline{f}h effective couplings, obtained from the measurements of different observables, under the assumption that the Wilson coefficients of the relevant dim 6 operators respect certain flavour structure: either the Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV) ansatz or a flavour symmetry, often invoked to explain the observed pattern of fermion masses and mixings. We perform a global analysis of the bounds following from the limits on the diagonal couplings measured in the Higgs boson production and decays at the LHC experiments. Another set of bounds is obtained from the limits on non-diagonal couplings constrained by the variety of flavour changing neutral current (FCNC) and radiative decay processes. With the present precision of the LHC data, the FCNC data give stronger bounds on the scale of new physics than the collider data (obviously, for the MFV ansatz only collider data are relevant): once the Wilson coefficients respect some flavour structure, the obtained bounds are in the TeV range. In the quark case, these limits are compatible with a few percent deviations from the SM Yukawa couplings and only mildly more stringent than those obtained from the available collider data. For leptons, instead, the FCNC bounds are stronger and then a signal in the near future collider data would mean the violation of the flavour symmetry or indicate the presence of additional beyond the Standard Model contributions, affecting the flavour observables, that leads to cancellations.

New measurement of the K+ → π+μ+μ− decay

The flavor-changing neutral current decay [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) is well suited to explore the Standard Model structure. A new measurement of this decay branching fraction and form factor has been performed by the NA62 experiment at CERN based on data collected in 2017–2018. From the selected sample of 28011 [Formula: see text] event candidates with a negligible background, the decay form factor parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], as well as the branching fraction [Formula: see text] have been measured.

C→uνν¯ transitions of Bc mesons: 331 model facing Standard Model null tests

The Glashow-Iliopoulos-Maiani mechanism is extremely efficient to suppress the flavour-changing neutral current decays of charmed hadrons induced by the $c \to u$ transitions, making such processes particularly sensitive to phenomena beyond the Standard Model. In particular, $c \to u$ decays with a neutrino pair in the final state are theoretically appealing due to the small long-distance contributions. Moreover, in the framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), the $SU(2)_L$ invariance allows to relate the Wilson coefficients in the effective Hamiltonian governing the $c \to u \nu {\bar \nu}$ decays to the coefficients in the $c \to u \ell^+ \ell^-$ Hamiltonian. We analyze the $B_c \to B^{(*)+} \nu {\bar \nu}$ decays, for which branching fractions of at most ${\cal O}(10^{-16})$ are predicted in the Standard Model including short- and long-distance contributions, so small that they can be considered as null tests. Using SMEFT and the relation to the $c \to u \ell^+ \ell^-$ processes we study the largest enhancement achievable in generic new physics scenarios. Then we focus on a particular extension of the Standard Model, the 331 model. SMEFT relations and the connection with $c \to u \ell^+ \ell^-$ imply that ${\cal B}(B_c \to B^{(*)+} \nu {\bar \nu})$ could even reach ${\cal O}(10^{-6})$, an extremely large enhancement. A less pronounced effect is found in the 331 model, with ${\cal O}(10^{-11})$ predicted branching fractions. Within the 331 model correlations exist among the $B_c \to B^{(*)+}\nu \bar \nu$ and $K\to \pi \nu \bar \nu$, $B\to (X_s, K, K^*) \nu \bar \nu$ channels.

Search for B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] Decays Using an Inclusive Tagging Method at Belle II.

A search for the flavor-changing neutral-current decay B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] is performed at the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB asymmetric energy electron-positron collider. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 63 fb^{-1} collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance and a sample of 9 fb^{-1} collected at an energy 60MeV below the resonance. Because the measurable decay signature involves only a single charged kaon, a novel measurement approach is used that exploits not only the properties of the B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] decay, but also the inclusive properties of the other B meson in the ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] event, to suppress the background from other B meson decays and light-quark pair production. This inclusive tagging approach offers a higher signal efficiency compared to previous searches. No significant signal is observed. An upper limit on the branching fraction of B^{+}→K^{+}νν[over ¯] of 4.1×10^{-5} is set at the 90% confidence level.

Implications of new physics in B → K 1 μ + μ − decay processes

Recently, several discrepancies at the level of (2–3)σ have been observed in the decay processes mediated by flavour changing neutral current (FCNC) transitions b → sℓ + ℓ −, which may be considered as the smoking-gun signal of new physics (NP). These intriguing hints of NP have attracted a lot of attention and many attempts are being made to find the possible NP signature in other related processes, which are mediated through the same quark-level transitions. In this work, we perform a comprehensive analysis of the FCNC decays of the B meson to axial vector mesons K 1(1270) and K 1(1400), which are an admixture of the 13 P 1 and 11 P 1 states K 1A and K 1B , in a model independent framework. Using the B → K 1 form factors evaluated in the light cone sum rule approach, we investigate the rare exclusive semileptonic decays B → K 1(1270)μ + μ − and B → K 1(1400)μ + μ −. Considering all the possible relevant operators for b → sℓ + ℓ − transitions, we study their effects on various observables such as branching fractions, the lepton flavor universality violating ratio , forward–backward asymmetries, and lepton polarization asymmetries of these processes. These results will not only enhance the theoretical understanding of the mixing angle but also serve as a good tool for probing NP.

Lepton Flavor Violating $h\to\tau\mu$ decay induced by leptoquarks

The flavor changing neutral current decay $h\to\tau\mu$ is studied in a renormalizable scalar leptoquark model with no proton decay. Analytical expressions for the one-loop level contributions of a scalar leptoquark to the decay width of the process $h\to\tau\mu$ are presented. We find a viable model parameter space via the current constraints on the muon ($g-2$), the decay $\tau\to\mu\gamma$, the LHC Higgs boson data and the direct leptoquark searches at the LHC. Then, we evaluate branching ratio of the decay $h\to\tau\mu$induced by leptoquarks; we find that it is of the order of $10^{-8}-10^{-7}$ ($10^{-8}$; $10^{-9}-10^{-8}$)for a scalar leptoquark mass equal to $m_{\Omega_{5/3}}=1$ TeV ($m_{\Omega_{5/3}}=2$; $m_{\Omega_{5/3}}=10$ TeV). Finally, we evaluate the number of events produced at future hadron colliders from both the $h\to\tau\mu$ decay and the potential Standard Model background finding a potentialevidence for the $h\to\tau\mu$ decay.

Exploring charm decays with missing energy in leptoquark models

We investigate the possibility that scalar leptoquarks generate consequential effects on the flavor-changing neutral-current decays of charmed hadrons into final states with missing energy carried away by either standard model or sterile neutrinos. We focus on scenarios involving the R2, {tilde{R}}_2 , and {overline{S}}_1 leptoquarks and take into account various pertinent constraints, learning that meson-mixing ones and those inferred from collider searches can be of significance. We find in particular that the branching fractions of charmed meson decays D →, M = π, ρ, and Ds→ and singly charmed baryon decays {Lambda}_c^{+} → and Ξc→ are presently allowed to attain the 10−7-10−6 levels if induced by R2 and that the impact of {tilde{R}}_2 is comparatively much less. In contrast, the contributions of {overline{S}}_1 , which couples to right-handed up-type quarks and the sterile neutrinos, could lead to branching fractions as high as order 10−3. This suggests that these charmed hadron decays might be within reach of the BESIII and Belle II experiments or future super charm-tau factories and could serve as potentially promising probes of leptoquark interactions with sterile neutrinos.