Heavy Quark Effective Theory Research Articles

Form factor counting and HQET matching for new physics in Λb→Λc*lν

We calculate the $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c^*(2595) l \nu$ and $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c^*(2625) l \nu$ form factors and decay rates for all possible $b \to c l \bar\nu$ four-Fermi interactions in and beyond the Standard Model (SM), including nonzero charged lepton masses and terms up to order $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s, 1/m_{c,b})$ in the heavy quark effective theory (HQET). We point out a subtlety involving the overcompleteness of the representation of the spin-parity $1/2^+ \to 3/2^-$ antisymmetric tensor form factors, relevant also to other higher excited-state transitions, and present a general method for the counting of the physical form factors for any hadronic transition matrix element and their matching onto HQET. We perform a preliminary fit of a simple HQET-based parametrization of the $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c^*$ form factors at $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s, 1/m_{c,b})$ to an existing quark model, providing preliminary predictions for the lepton universality ratios $R(\Lambda_c^*)$ beyond the SM. Finally, we examine the possible incompatibility of recent lattice QCD results with expectations from the heavy-quark expansion and available experimental data.

Theoretical Assessment of F-wave Bottom Mesons and Their Properties

We use heavy quark effective theory to study F-wave bottom mesons. Using theory and experimental data, we calculate their masses and analyze their decay widths to estimate the upper bound to the associated couplings.

Chiral excitations of open-beauty systems

We study the scattering of open-beauty mesons and Goldstone bosons as predicted by the chiral SU(3) Lagrangian. The impact of subleading order chiral interactions to systems with $J^P= 0^+$ and $J^P=1^+$ quantum numbers is worked out. We estimate the relevant low-energy coefficients from the open-charm sector, for which their values have been determined previously from sets of QCD lattice data. The leading order heavy-quark symmetry breaking effects are estimated by matching the $B$-meson ground-state chiral mass formula to the mass formula from the heavy-quark effective theory. We make refined predictions for the flavor anti-triplet and sextet resonances that are generated dynamically by coupled-channel interactions.

P -wave charmed baryons of the SU(3) flavor 6F

We use QCD sum rules to study mass spectra of $P$-wave charmed baryons of the $SU(3)$ flavor $\mathbf{6}_F$. We also use light-cone sum rules to study their $S$- and $D$-wave decays into ground-state charmed baryons together with light pseudoscalar and vector mesons. We work within the framework of heavy quark effective theory, and we also consider the mixing effect. Our results can explain many excited charmed baryons as a whole, including the $\Sigma_c(2800)^0$, $\Xi_c(2923)^0$, $\Xi_c(2939)^0$, $\Xi_{c}(2965)^{0}$, $\Omega_c(3000)^0$, $\Omega_c(3050)^0$, $\Omega_c(3066)^0$, $\Omega_c(3090)^0$, and $\Omega_c(3119)^0$. Their masses, mass splittings within the same multiplets, and decay properties are extracted for future experimental searches.

Hadronic decays of Higgs boson at NNLO matched with parton shower

We present predictions for hadronic decays of the Higgs boson at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD matched with parton shower based on the POWHEG framework. Those include decays into bottom quarks with full bottom-quark mass dependence, light quarks, and gluons in the heavy top quark effective theory. Our calculations describe exclusive decays of the Higgs boson with leading logarithmic accuracy in the Sudakov region and next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy matched with parton shower in the three-jet region, with normalizations fixed to the partial width at NNLO. We estimated remaining perturbative uncertainties taking typical event shape variables as an example and demonstrated the need of future improvements on both parton shower and matrix element calculations. The calculations can be used immediately in evaluations of the physics performances of detector designs for future Higgs factories.

Boosted top quarks in the peak region with NL3L resummation

We present results for the 2-jettiness differential distribution for boosted top quark pairs produced in $e^+e^-$ collisions in the peak region accounting for QCD large-logarithm resummation at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (N$^3$LL) order and fixed-order corrections to matrix elements at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) calculated in the framework of soft-collinear effective theory and boosted heavy quark effective theory. Electroweak and finite-width effects are included at leading order. We study the perturbative convergence of the cross section in the pole and MSR mass schemes, with and without soft gap subtractions. We find that there is a partial cancellation between the pole mass and soft function renormalons. When renormalon subtractions concerning the top mass and the soft function are implemented, the perturbative uncertainties are, however, systematically smaller and an improvement in the stability of the peak position is observed. We find that the top MSR mass may be determined with perturbative uncertainties well below $100$\,MeV from the peak position of the 2-jettiness distribution. This result has important applications for Monte Carlo top quark mass calibrations.

QCD sum rules for parameters of the B -meson distribution amplitudes

We obtain new estimates for the parameters $\lambda_{E}^2$, $\lambda_H^2$ and their ratio $\mathcal{R} = \lambda_{E}^2/\lambda_H^2$, which appear in the second moments of the $B$-meson light-cone distribution amplitudes defined in the heavy-quark effective field theory. The computation is based on two-point QCD sum rules for the diagonal correlation function and includes all contributions up to mass dimension seven in the operator-product expansion. For the ratio we get $\mathcal{R} = (0.1 \pm 0.1)$ with $\lambda_H^2 = (0.15 \pm 0.05) \, \text{GeV}^2$ and $\lambda_E^2 = (0.01 \pm 0.01) \, \text{GeV}^2$.

Polarized Λb baryon decay to pπ and a dilepton pair

The recent anomalies in $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions could originate from some New Physics beyond the Standard Model. Either to confirm or to rule out this assumption, more tests of $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transition are needed. Polarized $\Lambda_b$ decay to a $\Lambda$ and a dilepton pair offers a plethora of observables that are suitable to discriminate New Physics from the Standard Model. In this paper, we present a full angular analysis of a polarized $\Lambda_b$ decay to a $\Lambda(\to p\pi)\ell^+\ell^-$ final state. The study is performed in a set of the operator where the Standard Model operator basis is supplemented with its chirality flipped counterparts, and new scalar and pseudo-scalar operators. The full angular distribution is calculated by retaining the mass of the final state leptons. At the low hadronic recoil, we use the Heavy Quark Effective Theory framework to relate the hadronic form factors which lead to simplified expression of the angular observables where short- and long-distance physics factorize. Using the factorized expressions of the observables, we construct a number of tests of short- and long-distance physics including null tests of the Standard Model and its chirality flipped counterparts that can be carried out using experimental data.

Toward accurate form factors for B -to-light meson decay from lattice QCD

We present the results of a lattice QCD calculation of the scalar and vector form factors for the unphysical $B_s\to\eta_s$ decay, over the full physical range of $q^2$. This is a useful testing ground both for lattice QCD and for our wider understanding of the behaviour of form factors. Calculations were performed using the highly improved staggered quark (HISQ) action on $N_f = 2 + 1 + 1$ gluon ensembles generated by the MILC Collaboration with an improved gluon action and HISQ sea quarks. We use three lattice spacings and a range of heavy quark masses from that of charm to bottom, all in the HISQ formalism. This permits an extrapolation in the heavy quark mass and lattice spacing to the physical point and nonperturbative renormalisation of the vector matrix element on the lattice. We find results in good agreement with previous work using nonrelativistic QCD $b$ quarks and with reduced errors at low $q^2$, supporting the effectiveness of our heavy HISQ technique as a method for calculating form factors involving heavy quarks. A comparison with results for other decays related by SU(3) flavour symmetry shows that the impact of changing the light daughter quark is substantial but changing the spectator quark has very little effect. We also map out form factor shape parameters as a function of heavy quark mass and compare to heavy quark effective theory expectations for mass scaling at low and high recoil. This work represents an important step in the progression from previous work on heavy-to-heavy decays ($b\to c$) to the numerically more challenging heavy-to-light decays.

Predictions for the beauty meson spectrum

We predict the spectrum of the four $1S$ and eight $1P$ nonstrange and strange states in the beauty meson family in the context of effective field theory. By the union of heavy quark effective theory and chiral perturbation theory, the mass formalisms for the heavy-light mesons are defined. Our analysis uses mass expressions involving, for the first time, the full leading self-energy corrections and leading power corrections to the heavy quark and chiral limits. The counterterms present in these expressions are fitted using available experimental and theoretical information on the charmed meson masses and couplings. The results from charm sector are used to make theoretical expectations on the analog beauty meson spectrum. The observed spectrum of the ground state, $B^{(*)}_{(s)}$, and excited, $B_{(s)1}$ and $B^*_{(s)2}$, beauty mesons are well reproduced in our theoretical calculations. The excited scalar, $B^*_{(s)0}$, and axial-vector, $B^\prime_{(s)1}$, beauty mesons have not yet been discovered. Hopefully our predictions may provide valuable clues to further experimental exploration of these missing resonances.

Mixing angles of [formula omitted] in heavy quark effective theory

The Heavy Quark Effective Theory provides a systematic method to estimate a mixing angles of hadron states in a heavy quark, such as charm quark (c) and bottom quark (b). Using this method, we can estimate the mixing angles of the baryons ΞQ−ΞQ′. The mixing angles between ΞQ and ΞQ′ are given by |θb|=4.51∘±0.79∘ for the Q=b case and |θc|=8.12∘±0.80∘ for the Q=c case.

B_{(s)} to light tensor meson form factors via LCSR in HQEFT with applications to semileptonic decays

In the present work, the form factors of B_{(s)} to light P-wave tensor mesons (a_2(1320), K^*_2(1430), f_2(1270), f^prime _2(1525)) are calculated via the light cone sum rules (LCSR) in the framework of heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT). Firstly, the expressions of form factors in terms of the light cone distribution amplitudes (DAs) of tensor mesons are derived via the LCSR at the leading order of heavy quark expansion. It is found that the penguin type form factors can be obtained directly from the corresponding semileptonic ones, which is similar to the case of S-wave mesons. Considering the light tensor meson DAs to twist-3, we give the numerical results of form factors systematically. As applications, we investigate the branching ratios, longitudinal polarization fractions and forward-backward asymmetries of relevant semileptonic decays induced by charged current and flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) separately. Our results may be tested by more precise experiments in the future.

Strong decay analysis of excited nonstrange charmed mesons: implications for spectroscopy

The strong decays of $D_1(2420)^0$, $D_2^*(2460)^0$, $D_2^*(2460)^+$, $D_2^*(2460)^-$, $D(2550)^0$, $D_J^*(2600)^0$, $D(2740)^0$, $D_3^*(2750)^0$, $D_3^*(2750)^+$, $D_3^*(2750)^-$, $D_J(3000)^0$, $D{_{J}^*}(3000)^0$ and $D_2^*(3000)^0$ resonance states are analyzed in the heavy quark mass limit of Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET). The individual decay rates and the branching ratios among the strong decays determine their spin and parity. From such states the Regge trajectories are constructed in $(J, M^2)$ and $(n_r, M^2)$ planes and further predict the masses of higher excited states (1$^1D_2$, 1$^3D_3$, 3$^1S_0$, 3$^3S_1$, 1$^1F_3$, 1$^3F_4$, 2$^3D_3$, 3$^3P_2$ and 2$^3F_4$) lying on Regge lines by fixing their slopes and intercepts. Moreover, the strong decay rates and the branching ratios of these higher excited states are also examined, which can help the experimentalists to search these states into their respective decay modes.

Excited Ξc0 baryons within the QCD rum rule approach

We systematically study mass spectra and decay properties of $P$-wave $\Xi_c^\prime$ baryons of the $SU(3)$ flavor $\mathbf{6}_F$, using the methods of QCD sum rules and light-cone sum rules within the framework of heavy quark effective theory. Our results suggest that the three excited $\Xi_c^0$ baryons recently observed by LHCb can be well explained as $P$-wave $\Xi_c^\prime$ baryons: the $\Xi_c(2923)^0$ and $\Xi_c(2939)^0$ are partner states of $J^P = 1/2^-$ and $3/2^-$ respectively, both of which contain one $\lambda$-mode orbital excitation; the $\Xi_c(2965)^0$ has $J^P = 3/2^-$, and also contains one $\lambda$-mode orbital excitation. We propose to search for another $P$-wave $\Xi_c^\prime$ state of $J^P = 5/2^-$ in the $\Lambda_c K/\Xi_c \pi$ mass spectral in future experiments. Its mass is about $56^{+30}_{-35}$ MeV larger than the $\Xi_c(2965)^0$, and its width is about $18.1^{+19.7}_{-~8.3}$ MeV.

Soft de Sitter Effective Theory

Calculating the quantum evolution of a de Sitter universe on superhorizon scales is notoriously difficult. To address this challenge, we introduce the Soft de Sitter Effective Theory (SdSET). This framework holds for superhorizon modes whose comoving momentum is far below the UV scale, which is set by the inverse comoving horizon. The SdSET is formulated using the same approach that yields the Heavy Quark Effective Theory. The degrees of freedom that capture the long wavelength dynamics are identified with the growing and decaying solutions to the equations of motion. The operator expansion is organized using a power counting scheme, and loops can be regulated while respecting the low energy symmetries. For massive quantum fields in a fixed de Sitter background, power counting implies that all interactions beyond the horizon are irrelevant. Alternatively, if the fields are very light, the leading interactions are at most marginal, and resumming the associated logarithms using (dynamical) renormalization group techniques yields the evolution equation for canonical stochastic inflation. The SdSET is also applicable to models where gravity is dynamical, including inflation. In this case, diffeomorphism invariance ensures that all interactions are irrelevant, trivially implying the all-orders conservation of adiabatic density fluctuations and gravitational waves. We briefly touch on the application to slow-roll eternal inflation by identifying novel relevant operators. This work serves to demystify many aspects of perturbation theory outside the horizon, and has a variety of applications to problems of cosmological interest.

Heavy Quark Symmetry and Fine Structure of the Spectrum of Hadronic Dark Matter

We analyze the structure of excited states of new heavy hadrons in the scenario with hadronic dark matter. Fine mass-splitting in a doublet of new mesons stipulates the existence of charged metastable heavy mesons. We describe the structure of new meson excited states in the framework of the heavy quark effective theory. Phenomenological consequences of fine and hyperfine splitting are considered in the hadronic dark matter scenario and beyond.

Isgur-Wise function in Bc decays to charmonium with the Bethe-Salpeter method * *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (11405037, 11575048, 11505039) and also PIRS of HIT (B201506)

The heavy quark effective theory vastly reduces the weak-decay form factors of hadrons containing one heavy quark. Many works attempt to directly apply this theory to hadrons with multiple heavy quarks. In this paper, we examine this confusing application by the instantaneous Bethe-Salpeter method from a phenomenological perspective, and give the numerical results for decays to charmonium where the final states include , , , and . Our results indicate that the form factors parameterized by a single Isgur-Wise function deviate substantially from the full ones, especially when excited states are involved. The relativistic corrections ( corrections) require the introduction of more non-perturbative universal functions, similar to the Isgur-Wise function, which are the overlapping integrals of the wave functions with the relative momentum between the quark and antiquark.

Relating Gauge and Gravity Theories in the Large Mass Limit.

We show how to double copy heavy quark effective theory (HQET) to heavy black hole effective theory (HBET) for spin s≤1. In particular, the double copy of spin-s HQET with scalar QCD produces spin-s HBET, while the double copy of spin-1/2 HQET with itself gives spin-1 HBET. Finally, we present novel all-order-in-mass Lagrangians for spin-1 heavy particles.

Erratum: P -wave bottom baryons of the SU(3) flavor 6F [Phys. Rev. D 101 , 114013 (2020)

We investigate $P$-wave bottom baryons of the $SU(3)$ flavor $\mathbf{6}_F$, and systematically study their $D$-wave decays into ground-state bottom baryons and pseudoscalar mesons. Together with [PRD91, 054034 (2015); PRD92, 114007 (2015); PRD95, 094008 (2017); EPJC80, 80 (2020)], a rather complete study is performed on both mass spectra and decay properties of $P$-wave bottom baryons, using the method of QCD sum rules and light-cone sum rules within the framework of heavy quark effective theory. Among all the possibilities, we find four $\Sigma_b$, four $\Xi^\prime_b$, and six $\Omega_b$ baryons, with limited widths and so capable of being observed. Their masses, mass splittings within the same multiplets, and decay properties are extracted (summarized in Table V) for future experimental searchings.

Distribution amplitudes of heavy mesons and quarkonia on the light front

The ladder kernel of the Bethe–Salpeter equation is amended by introducing a different flavor dependence of the dressing functions in the heavy-quark sector. Compared with earlier work this allows for the simultaneous calculation of the mass spectrum and leptonic decay constants of light pseudoscalar mesons, the D_u, D_s, B_u, B_s and B_c mesons and the heavy quarkonia eta _c and eta _b within the same framework at a physical pion mass. The corresponding Bethe–Salpeter amplitudes are projected onto the light front and we reconstruct the distribution amplitudes of the mesons in the full theory. A comparison with the first inverse moment of the heavy meson distribution amplitude in heavy quark effective theory is made.