Flavor Observables Research Articles

Exploring constraints on Simplified Dark Matter model through flavour and electroweak observables

This study focuses on a combined analysis of various available inputs to constrain the parameter spaces of a simplified dark matter (SDM) model featuring a spin-0 mediator and fermionic dark matter (DM). The spin-0 mediator interacts with standard model (SM) fermions, SM gauge bosons, and DM. We constrain the parameter spaces of different relevant couplings, DM mass, and the mediator mass, using the data from flavour-changing charged and neutral current processes, CKM matrices, W and Z-pole observables, DM relic density, direct and indirect detection bounds. We have calculated bounds on the couplings from both separate and simultaneous analyses of the mentioned processes. We identify correlated parameter spaces for all the relevant parameters which include the couplings and the masses. For the DM and mediator masses, we have scanned the region between 100 GeV and 1000 GeV. Using our results, we have obtained bounds on the couplings of possible higher dimensional operators from which we can formulate our SDM.

SU(2)L deconstruction and flavour (non)-universality

We study two-site deconstructions of the SU(2)L gauge group factor of the SM. Models based on this approach can explain the hierarchies of the quark masses and CKM mixing between third and light families if these fields are localised on different sites by the presence of hierarchical new physics scales. The model leads to an accidental global U(2)q × U(3)u × U(3)d flavour symmetry which prevents dangerously large effects in flavour observables, making a TeV extension of the SM possible. Given the structure of the PMNS matrix in the neutrino sector, we explore different possibilities for the arrangement of the leptons on the two sites, and consider different models with U(2)ℓ or U(3)ℓ flavour symmetries. The phenomenology of the models is mostly governed by a massive vector triplet of SU(2)L. We study the interesting interplay between LHC searches and precision observables. In particular, one of the models can give a sizeable lepton flavour universal effect in the Wilson coefficient C9 while naturally suppressing contributions to C10, as suggested by current b → sℓ+ℓ− data, predicting simultaneously a mild positive shift in the W boson mass.

The NFLikelihood: An unsupervised DNNLikelihood from normalizing flows

We propose the NFLikelihood, an unsupervised version, based on Normalizing Flows, of the DNNLikelihood proposed in [Eur. Phys. J. C 80, 664 (2020)]. We show, through realistic examples, how Autoregressive Flows, based on affine and rational quadratic spline bijectors, are able to learn complicated high-dimensional Likelihoods arising in High Energy Physics (HEP) analyses. We focus on a toy LHC analysis example already considered in the literature and on two Effective Field Theory fits of flavor and electroweak observables, whose samples have been obtained through the HEPFit code. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of the unsupervised approach with respect to the supervised one and discuss a possible interplay between the two.

Lepton flavour violation signal of the singly charged scalar singlet at the ILC

The singly charged SU(2) L singlet scalar is one of the very interesting new particles, as it can generate neutrino masses at loop level, produce contributions to various flavour observables. We study the possibility of detecting this kind of scalar predicted by the singly-charged scalar model at ILC via the lepton flavour violation process e+e−→S+S−→μe+E . Considering the constraints on the free parameters, we obtain the expected sensitivities of the ILC with the center of mass energy s=1TeV and the integrated luminosity L= 1.5 ab−1 to the parameter space of the singly-charged scalar model. The prospective excluded mass range at 95% C.L. is M S ≳ 470 GeV, 410 GeV for the branching ratio Bμe = 100% , 50%, respectively, while the scalar with M S ≳ 300 GeV is excluded at 95% C.L. for Bμe = 30%.

CP phase in modular flavor models and discrete Froggatt-Nielsen models

We study the large mass hierarchy and CP violation in the modular symmetric quark flavor models without fine-tuning. Mass matrices are written in terms of modular forms. Modular forms near the modular fixed points are approximately given by ϵp, where ϵ and p denote the small deviation from the fixed points and their residual charges. Thus, mass matrices have the hierarchical structures depending on the residual charges and have a possibility describing the large mass hierarchy without fine-tuning. Similar structures of mass matrices are also obtained in Froggatt-Nielsen models. Nevertheless, it seems to be difficult to induce a sufficient amount of CP violation by a single small complex parameter ϵ. To realize the large mass hierarchy as well as sizable CP violation, multimoduli are required. We show the mass matrix structures with multimoduli that are consistent with quark flavor observables including the CP phase. We also discuss the origins of the large mass hierarchy and CP violation in such mass matrix structures. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Quark and lepton modular models from the binary dihedral flavor symmetry

Inspired by the structure of top-down derived models endowed with modular flavor symmetries, we investigate the yet phenomenologically unexplored binary dihedral group 2D3. After building the vector-valued modular forms in the representations of 2D3 with small modular weights, we systematically classify all (Dirac and Majorana) mass textures of fermions with fractional modular weights and all possible 2 + 1-family structures. This allows us to explore the parameter space of fermion models based on 2D3, aiming at a description of both quarks and leptons with a minimal number of parameters and best compatibility with observed data. We consider the separate possibilities of neutrino masses generated by either a type-I seesaw mechanism or the Weinberg operator. We identify a model that, besides fitting all known flavor observables, delivers predictions for six not-yet measured parameters and favors normal-ordered neutrino masses generated by the Weinberg operator. It would be interesting to figure out whether it is possible to embed our model within a top-down scheme, such as \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathbb{T}}^{2}/{\\mathbb{Z}}_{4}$$\\end{document} heterotic orbifold compactifications.

Minimal flavour deconstruction

We construct two concrete examples of flavour non-universal gauge theories which, after the inclusion of all d ≤ 4 gauge invariant operators, allow to describe the observed pattern of flavour in the charged fermion sector without any small Yukawa coupling (y ≳ 0.1). Guided by the criterium of minimality, we assume that flavour non universality is confined to the Abelian sector of the gauge group: the universal hypercharge emerges after a sequence of symmetry-breaking steps characterised by two high mass scales, Λ[23]< Λ[12], where the second and the first fermion generations get their mass respectively. At least in one of the two models the smaller of these scales can be in the 10 TeV range, consistently with current bounds from flavour observables. Both models are extended to include as well neutrino masses and mixings.

Nuclear Parton Distribution Functions After the First Decade of LHC Data

We present a review of the conceptual basis, current knowledge, and recent progress regarding global analysis of nuclear parton distribution functions (PDFs). After introducing the theoretical foundations and methodological approaches for the extraction of nuclear PDFs from experimental data, we discuss how different measurements in fixed-target and collider experiments provide increasingly precise constraints on various aspects of nuclear PDFs, including shadowing, antishadowing, the EMC effect, Fermi motion, flavor separation, deuteron binding, and target-mass and other higher-twist effects. Particular emphasis is given to measurements carried out in proton–lead collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, which have revolutionized the global analysis during the past decade. These measurements include electroweak boson, jet, light hadron, and heavy flavor observables. Finally, we outline the expected impact of the future Electron Ion Collider and discuss the role and interplay of nuclear PDFs with other branches of nuclear, particle, and astroparticle physics.

Scalar sector interactions in BDW model

In the Bélanger-Delaunay-Westhoff model, vectorlike fermions and a new scalar sector charged under an extra Abelian gauge symmetry are introduced to explain the flavor observables, and the muon . In this paper, we focus our study to the scalar sector of this model and the relevant interactions. The interaction terms including the exotic Yukawa, the gauge interactions, and the scalar 3-point and 4-point interactions are derived together with the corresponding Feynman rules. It is shown that the new scalar can decay into a pair of standard-model-like Higgs bosons. This channel is considered by analyzing the decay width and its parameter dependence.

Updated global fit of the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model with heavy scalars

An updated global fit on the parameter-space of the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model is performed with the help of the open-source package fit, assuming the Standard-Model Higgs to be the lightest scalar. No new sources of CP violation, other than the phase in the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix of the Standard Model, are considered. A similar global fit was previously performed by O. Eberhardt [Global fits in the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model, ] with a slightly different set of parameters. Our updated fit incorporates improved analyses of the theoretical constraints required for the perturbative unitarity and boundedness of the scalar potential from below, additional flavor observables and updated data on direct searches for heavy scalars at the LHC, Higgs signal strengths, and electroweak precision observables. Although not included in the main fit, the implications of the CDF measurement of the W± mass are also discussed. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Searching for sbottom LSP at the LHC

Assuming that the sbottom is the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP), we carry out an analysis of the relevant signals expected at the LHC. The discussion is established in the framework of the μν\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mu \ u $$\\end{document}SSM, where the presence of R-parity violating couplings involving right-handed neutrinos solves simultaneously the μ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mu $$\\end{document}-problem and the accommodation of neutrino masses and mixing angles. The sbottoms are pair produced at the LHC, decaying to a lepton and a top quark or a neutrino and a bottom quark. The decays can be prompt or displaced, depending on the regions of the parameter space of the model. We focus the analysis on the right sbottom LSP, since the left sbottom is typically heavier than the left stop because of the D-term contribution. We compare the predictions of this scenario with ATLAS and CMS searches for prompt and long-lived particles. To analyze the parameter space we sample the μν\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mu \ u $$\\end{document}SSM for a right sbottom LSP, paying special attention to reproduce the current experimental data on neutrino and Higgs physics, as well as flavor observables. For displaced (prompt) decays, our results translate into lower limits on the mass of the right sbottom LSP of about 1041 GeV (1070 GeV). The largest possible value found for the decay length is about 3.5 mm.

B meson anomalies within the triplet vector boson model to the light of recent measurements from LHCb

The triplet vector boson (TVB) is a simplified new physics model involving massive vector bosons transforming as a weak triplet vector. Such a model has been proposed as a combined explanation of the anomalous b→sμ+μ− and b→cτν¯τ data (the so-called B meson anomalies). In this work, we carry out a revamped view of the TVB model by incorporating the most recent 2022 and 2023 LHCb measurements on the lepton-flavor universality ratios R(D(*))=BR(B→D(*)τν¯τ)/BR(B→D(*)ℓ′ν¯ℓ′), R(Λc)=BR(Λb→Λcτν¯τ)/BR(Λb→Λcμν¯μ), and RK(*)=BR(B→K(*)μ+μ−)/BR(B→K(*)e+e−). We perform a global fit to explore the allowed parameter space by the new data and all relevant low-energy flavor observables including the recent experimental progress from Belle, Belle II, and LHCb. Our results are confronted with the recent high-mass dilepton searches at the LHC. We find that for a heavy TVB mass of 1 TeV a common explanation of the B meson anomalies is possible for all data with the recent LHCb measurements on R(D(*)), consistent with LHC constraints. However, this framework is in strong tension with LHC bounds when one considers all data along with the world average values reported by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (, Belle, and LHCb) on R(D(*)). Future measurements will be required in order to clarify such a situation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Global analysis of the ALP effective theory

We perform a global fit of the effective Lagrangian for axion-like particles (ALPs) to data. By combining LHC observables from top physics, dijet and di-boson production with electroweak precision observables, we resolve the full parameter space of ALPs with flavor-universal couplings. Using the renormalization group to evolve the effective ALP couplings to low energies allows us to investigate the impact of flavor observables on the global analysis. We show that resonance searches in B → K meson decays significantly enhance the sensitivity to ALPs with sub-GeV masses. The lifetime of the ALP plays a crucial role in resolving the multi-dimensional parameter space with searches for prompt, displaced and invisible ALP decays. Our analysis points out the differences in probing an effective theory with new light particles, compared to scenarios with only non-resonant effects of heavy particles at low energies, as in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory.

A model with vectorlike fermions and U(1)X symmetry: CKM unitarity, b → s transitions, and prospect at Belle II

The updated analysis of the LHCb Collaboration on the lepton flavor violation suggests that the new physics should couple to muons and electrons with comparable magnitudes, resulting in the anomalies in both rare decay channels, b→sμ+μ− and b→se+e−. Meanwhile, the recent result of the Muon g−2 experiment with higher precision has increased the existing tension with the standard model prediction. In this paper, we consider an extension of the standard model with a new sector consisting of vectorlike fermions and two scalar charged under an extra U(1)X gauge symmetry. The exotic Yukawa interactions in this model lead to the quark mixing responsible for the additional contributions to the flavor changing neutral currents in B-meson decays, and solve the muon g−2 discrepancy. We derive the analytic expression of the new physics contributions to the Wilson coefficient C7 in the effective Hamiltonian, and point out that the CKM unitarity violation can be explained within this context. By calculating the branching ratio of the inclusive radiative B decay, the impact of current experimental data of the b→sγ transition on the model and the future prospect at the Belle II experiment are investigated. Taking into account the current data on the muon anomalous magnetic moment, the CKM unitarity violation, the constraints on the flavor observables relevant to the b→s transitions, the LHC searches for vectorlike quarks, and the perturbation limits of the couplings, the viable parameter regions of the model are identified.

Wrinkles in the Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism and flavorful new physics

When the Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism is used to explain the Standard Model flavor hierarchy, new physics couplings are also determined by the horizontal symmetry. However, additional symmetries or dynamics in the UV can sometimes lead to a departure from this naïve scaling for the new physics couplings. We show that an effective way to keep track of these changes is by using the new spurions of the U(3)5 global flavor symmetry, where we parameterize extra suppression or enhancement factors, referred to as wrinkles, using the same power counting parameter as in the original Froggatt-Nielsen model. As a concrete realization, we consider two flavor spurions of the S1 leptoquark, and demonstrate that wrinkles can be used to make an enhanced value of textrm{BR}left({B}^{+}to {K}^{+}nu overline{nu}right) consistent with other flavor observables. We also present example UV models that realize wrinkles, and comment on choosing consistent charges in ordinary Froggatt-Nielsen models without the typical monotonicity condition.

Explaining the Bd,s→K∗K¯∗\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {B}_{d,s}\ o {K}^{\\left(\\ast \\right)}{\\overline{K}}^{\\left(\\ast \\right)} $$\\end{document} non-leptonic puzzle and charged-current B-anomalies via scalar leptoquarks

We present a model based on S1 scalar leptoquarks to solve the tension observed in the recently proposed non-leptonic optimized observables LK∗K¯∗\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {L}_{K^{\\ast }{\\overline{K}}^{\\ast }} $$\\end{document} and LKK¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {L}_{K\\overline{K}} $$\\end{document}. These observables are constructed as ratios of U-spin related decays based on Bd,s0→K∗0K¯∗0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {B}_{d,s}^0\ o {K}^{\\left(\\ast \\right)0}{\\overline{K}}^{\\left(\\ast \\right)0} $$\\end{document}. The model gives a one-loop contribution to the Wilson coefficient of the chromomagnetic dipole operator needed to explain the tension in both non-leptonic observables, while naturally avoiding large contributions to the corresponding electromagnetic dipoles. The necessary chiral enhancement comes from an O(1) Yukawa coupling with a TeV-scale right-handed neutrino running in the loop. We endow the model with a U(2) flavor symmetry, necessary to protect light-family flavor observables that otherwise would be in tension. Furthermore, we show that the same S1 scalar leptoquark is capable of simultaneously explaining the hints of lepton flavor universality violation observed in charged-current B-decays. The model therefore provides a potential link between two puzzles in B-physics and TeV-scale neutrino mass generation. Finally, the combined explanation of the B-physics puzzles unavoidably results in an enhancement of BB→Kνν¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{B}\\left(B\ o K\ u \\overline{\ u}\\right) $$\\end{document}, yielding a value close to present bounds.

Bounds on lepton non-unitarity and heavy neutrino mixing

We present an updated and improved global fit analysis of current flavour and electroweak precision observables to derive bounds on unitarity deviations of the leptonic mixing matrix and on the mixing of heavy neutrinos with the active flavours. This new analysis is motivated by new and updated experimental results on key observables such as Vud, the invisible decay width of the Z boson and the W boson mass. It also improves upon previous studies by considering the full correlations among the different observables and explicitly calibrating the test statistic, which may present significant deviations from a χ2 distribution. The results are provided for three different Type-I seesaw scenarios: the minimal scenario with only two additional right-handed neutrinos, the next to minimal one with three extra neutrinos, and the most general one with an arbitrary number of heavy neutrinos that we parametrise via a generic deviation from a unitary leptonic mixing matrix. Additionally, we also analyze the case of generic deviations from unitarity of the leptonic mixing matrix, not necessarily induced by the presence of additional neutrinos. This last case relaxes some correlations among the parameters and is able to provide a better fit to the data. Nevertheless, inducing only leptonic unitarity deviations avoiding both the correlations implied by the right-handed neutrino extension as well as more strongly constrained operators is challenging and would imply significantly more complex UV completions.

On the IR/UV flavour connection in non-universal axion models

Non-universal axion models, with the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry acting on Standard Model (SM) fermions in a generation-dependent way, are typically accompanied by two different sources of flavour violation, dubbed here as infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV). The former is due to the flavour violating axion couplings to SM fermions, while the latter arises from the heavy degrees of freedom that UV complete the axion effective field theory. We point out that these two sources of flavour violation are directly related and exemplify this connection in a general class of non-universal axion model, based on a renormalizable DFSZ-like setup with two Higgs doublets (PQ-2HDM). We next discuss the interplay of axion flavour phenomenology with the signatures stemming from the heavy radial modes of the PQ-2HDM, including meson oscillation observables and charged lepton flavour violating decays. We emphasize the strong complementarity between flavour observables, LHC direct searches and standard axion physics.

Dark matter in the scotogenic model with spontaneous lepton number violation

Scotogenic models constitute an appealing solution to the generation of neutrino masses and to the dark matter mystery. In this work we consider a version of the Scotogenic model that breaks lepton number spontaneously. At this scope, we extend the particle content of the Scotogenic model with an additional singlet scalar which acquires a non-zero vacuum expectation value and breaks a global lepton number symmetry. As a consequence, a massless Goldstone boson, the majoron, appears in the particle spectrum. We discuss how the presence of the majoron modifies the phenomenology, both in flavor and dark matter observables. We focus on the fermionic dark matter candidate and analyze its relic abundance and prospects for both direct and indirect detection.

The Rumble in the Meson: a leptoquark versus a Z′ to fit b → sμ+μ− anomalies including 2022 LHCb {R}_{K^{left(ast right)}} measurements

We juxtapose global fits of two bottom-up models (an S3 scalar leptoquark model and a B3 – L2Z′ model) of b → sμ+μ− anomalies to flavour data in order to quantify statistical preference or lack thereof. The leptoquark model couples directly to left-handed di-muon pairs, whereas the Z′ model couples to di-muon pairs with a vector-like coupling. {B}_s-overline{B_s} mixing is a focus because it is typically expected to disfavour Z′ explanations. In two-parameter fits to 247 flavour observables, including Bs/d→ μ+μ− branching ratios for which we provide an updated combination and LHCb {R}_{K^{left(ast right)}} measurements from December 2022, we show that each model provides a similar improvement in quality-of-fit of sqrt{Delta {chi}^2} = 3.6 with respect to the Standard Model. The main effect of the {B}_s-overline{B_s} mixing constraint in the Z′ model is to disfavour values of the sL– bL mixing angle greater than about 5|Vcb|. This limit is rather loose, meaning that a good fit to data does not require ‘alignment’ in either quark Yukawa matrix. No curtailment of the sL− bL mixing angle is evident in the S3 model.