Model-independent Parametrization Research Articles

Multimessenger search for electrophilic feebly interacting particles from supernovae

We study MeV-scale electrophilic feebly interacting particles (FIPs), that may be abundantly produced in supernova explosions, escape the star and decay into electrons and positrons. This exotic injection of leptons in the Milky Way leaves an imprint in both photon and cosmic ray fluxes. Specifically, positrons lose energy and annihilate almost at rest with background electrons, producing photons with 511 keV energy. In addition, electrons and positrons radiate photons through bremsstrahlung emission and upscatter the low-energy galactic photon fields via the inverse Compton process generating a broad emission from x-ray to γ ray energies. Finally, electrons and positrons are directly observable in cosmic ray experiments. In order to describe the FIP-induced lepton injection in full generality, we use a model-independent parametrization which can be applied to a host of FIPs such as axionlike particles, dark photons and sterile neutrinos. Theoretical predictions are compared to experimental data to robustly constrain FIP-electron interactions with an innovative multimessenger analysis. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Theoretical priors and the dark energy equation of state

We revisit the theoretical priors used for inferring Dark Energy (DE) parameters. Any DE model must have some form of a tracker mechanism such that it behaved as matter or radiation in the past. Otherwise, the model is fine-tuned. We construct a model-independent parametrization that takes this prior into account and allows for a relatively sudden transition between radiation/matter to DE behavior. We match the parametrization with current data, and deduce that the adiabatic and effective sound speeds of DE play an important role in inferring the cosmological parameters. We find that there is a preferred transition redshift of 1+z≃29-30\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$1+z\\simeq 29{-}30$$\\end{document}, and some reduction in the Hubble and Large Scale Structure tensions.

Tree-level new physics in R(K(∗))

We implement the [Formula: see text] fit for [Formula: see text] with possible tree-level new physics in a model-independent parametrization. Relevant Wilson coefficients are decomposed into the new physics scale, its power, and the fermionic couplings. Constraints from the branching ratio of [Formula: see text] can be naturally incorporated with the scheme. For a reasonable set of the parameter ranges it is found that the new physics is less than [Formula: see text]. Some new physics models including the leptoquark, [Formula: see text], etc. can be embraced within our framework. We give comments on new LHCb data which are close to the standard model predictions.

Semileptonic form factors for Brightarrow D^*ell nu at nonzero recoil from 2+1-flavor lattice QCD

We present the first unquenched lattice-QCD calculation of the form factors for the decay Brightarrow D^*ell nu at nonzero recoil. Our analysis includes 15 MILC ensembles with N_f=2+1 flavors of asqtad sea quarks, with a strange quark mass close to its physical mass. The lattice spacings range from aapprox 0.15 fm down to 0.045 fm, while the ratio between the light- and the strange-quark masses ranges from 0.05 to 0.4. The valence b and c quarks are treated using the Wilson-clover action with the Fermilab interpretation, whereas the light sector employs asqtad staggered fermions. We extrapolate our results to the physical point in the continuum limit using rooted staggered heavy-light meson chiral perturbation theory. Then we apply a model-independent parametrization to extend the form factors to the full kinematic range. With this parametrization we perform a joint lattice-QCD/experiment fit using several experimental datasets to determine the CKM matrix element |V_{cb}|. We obtain left| V_{cb}right| = (38.40 pm 0.68_{text {th}} pm 0.34_{text {exp}} pm 0.18_{text {EM}})times 10^{-3}. The first error is theoretical, the second comes from experiment and the last one includes electromagnetic and electroweak uncertainties, with an overall chi ^2text {/dof} = 126/84, which illustrates the tensions between the experimental data sets, and between theory and experiment. This result is in agreement with previous exclusive determinations, but the tension with the inclusive determination remains. Finally, we integrate the differential decay rate obtained solely from lattice data to predict R(D^*) = 0.265 pm 0.013, which confirms the current tension between theory and experiment.

Redshift evolution and non-universal dispersion of quasar luminosity correlation

ABSTRACT The standard Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model is recently reported to deviate from the high-redshift Hubble diagram of Type Ia supernovae (SNe) and quasars (QSOs) at ∼4σ confidence level. In this work, we combine the PAge approximation (a nearly model-independent parametrization) and a high-quality QSO sample to search for the origins of the deviation. By visualizing the ΛCDM model and the marginalized 3σ constraints of SNe+QSOs into the PAge space, we confirm that the SNe+QSO constraints in both flat and non-flat PAge cases are in remarkable tension with the standard ΛCDM cosmology. Next, we investigate the tension from the perspective of redshift-evolution effects. We find that the QSO correlation coefficient γ calibrated by SNe+low-z QSOs and SNe+high-z QSOs shows ∼2.7σ and ∼4σ tensions in flat and non-flat universes, respectively. The tensions for intrinsic dispersion δ between different data sets are found to be >4σ in both flat and non-flat cases. These results indicate that the QSO luminosity correlation suffers from significant redshift evolution and non-universal intrinsic dispersion. Using a redshift-dependence correlation to build QSO Hubble diagram could lead to biases. Thus, the ∼4σ deviation from the standard ΛCDM probably originates from the redshift-evolution effects and non-universal dispersion of the QSO luminosity correlation rather than new physics.

Study of CP violation in hyperon decays at super-charm-tau factories with a polarized electron beam

Nonleptonic two-body weak decays of baryons are an important tool to probe the combined charge conjugation--parity symmetry ($CP$) violation. We explain why the decays of strange baryons provide complementary information to the decays of kaons. A model-independent parametrization of the nonleptonic decays of the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Xi}}$ baryons is reviewed, and the amplitudes are updated according to the latest experimental input. We demonstrate the potential of performing precision tests in strange baryon decays at the next-generation electron-positron $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ factories with luminosity of ${10}^{35}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\text{ }{\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The copious production of spin-entangled hyperon-antihyperon pairs via the $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ resonance allows for a direct comparison of the baryon and antibaryon decay properties. Using analytic approximations and numerical calculations, we study the quantitative impact of spin correlations and polarization in such $CP$ tests. We show that by using a longitudinally polarized electron beam the statistical precision of the $CP$ tests can be significantly improved compared to the experiments without polarized beams. Furthermore, we map out further directions for possible improvements, like analysis of incompletely reconstructed events or a combination of the isospin related processes. Altogether, these methods are promising for the observation of a statistically significant $CP$-violation signal with a strength corresponding to the standard model predictions. Our conclusions should encourage more detailed feasibility studies, including optimization of the measurement methods and studies of systematic effects. Finally, our results call for an update of the theory predictions with increased precision.

Light Majorana neutrinos in (semi)invisible meson decays

We reconsider decays of pseudoscalar mesons (P) to neutrino pairs and possibly additional photons in presence of (light) Majorana neutrinos. For this purpose we derive a model-independent general parametrization of neutrino mass matrices with physically interpretable and irreducible set of parameters. The parametrization is valid for any number of neutrinos and interpolates smoothly between the heavy Majorana and the (pseudo)Dirac neutrino limits. We apply the new parametrization to the study of P rightarrow nu nu and P rightarrow nu nu gamma decays within the SM extended by additional singlet fermions. We update the SM predictions for the branching ratios of B_{s,d} rightarrow nu nu gamma and discuss the sensitivity of the B_{s,d} rightarrow E_{mathrm{miss}} (gamma ) decays to neutrino mass and mixing parameters.

Update constraints on neutrino mass and mass hierarchy in light of dark energy models

Combining cosmic microwave (CMB) background data from Planck satellite data, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) measurements and Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) data, we obtain the bounds on total neutrino masses [Formula: see text] with the approximation of degenerate neutrino masses and for three dark energy models: the cosmological constant ([Formula: see text]CDM) model, a phenomenological emergent dark energy (PEDE) model and a model-independent quintessential parametrization (HBK). The bounds on the sum of neutrino masses [Formula: see text] depend on the dark energy (DE) models. In the HBK model, we confirm the conclusion from some previous work that the quintessence prior of DE tends to tighten the cosmological constraint on [Formula: see text]. On the other hand, the PEDE model leads to larger [Formula: see text] and a nonzero lower bound. Besides, we also explore the correlation between three different neutrino hierarchies and DE models.

Parametrized test of parity-violating gravity using GWTC-1 events

Abstract Parity-violating (PV) gravity has recently attracted interest in several aspects. One of them is the axion–graviton coupling to test the axion–dark matter model. Moreover, by extending Chern–Simons (CS) gravity to include derivatives of a scalar field up to the second order, a more general class of PV gravity theory, which we call the CNCL model, has been proposed [M. Crisostomi et al., Phys. Rev. D, 97, 044034 (2018)]. The model can be further extended by including even higher derivatives of the scalar field and/or higher curvature terms. In this paper, we discuss the effect of parity violation in the gravitational sector on the propagation of gravitational waves from binary coalescence by introducing a model-independent parametrization of modification. Our parametrization includes the CNCL model as well as CS gravity. The effect of parity violation on the gravitational waveform is maximum when the source binary orientation to our line of sight is edge-on, while the modified waveform reduces to the parity-symmetric one when the source is face-on. We perform a search for the signature of such modification by using the LIGO/Virgo O1/O2 catalog. We find that the catalog data is consistent with general relativity and obtain constraints on parity violation in gravity for various post-Newtonian order modifications for the first time. The obtained constraint on CS gravity is consistent with the results in previous works. On the other hand, the constraint on the CNCL model that we obtain is tighter than the previous results by roughly 7 orders of magnitude.

Tension of the EG statistic and redshift space distortion data with the Planck - ΛCDM model and implications for weakening gravity

The $E_G$ statistic is a powerful probe for detecting deviations from GR by combining weak lensing (WL), real-space clustering and redshift space distortion (RSD) measurements thus probing both the lensing and the growth effective Newton constants ($G_L$ and $G_{eff}$). We construct an up to date compilation of $E_G$ statistic data including both redshift and scale dependence ($E_G(R,z)$). We combine this $E_G$ data compilation with an up to date compilation of $f\sigma_8$ data from RSD observations to identify the current level of tension between the Planck/$\Lambda$CDM standard model based on general relativity and a general model independent redshift evolution parametrization of $G_L$ and $G_{eff}$. Each $f\sigma_8$ datapoint considered has been published separately in the context of independent analyses of distinct galaxy samples. However, there are correlations among the datapoints considered due to overlap of the analyzed galaxy samples. Due to these correlations the derived levels of tension of the best fit parameters with Planck/$\Lambda$CDM are somewhat overestimated but this is the price to pay for maximizing the information encoded in the compilation considered. We find that the level of tension increases from about $3.5\sigma$ for the $f\sigma_8$ data compilation alone to about $6\sigma$ when the $E_G$ data are also included in the analysis. The direction of the tension is the same as implied by the $f\sigma_8$ RSD growth data alone (lower $\Omega_m$ and/or weaker effective Newton constant at low redshifts for both the lensing and the growth effective Newton constants ($G_L$ and $G_{eff}$)). These results further amplify the hints for weakening modified gravity discussed in other recent analyses.

New parametrization of the form factors in B¯→Dℓν¯ℓ decays

A new model-independent parametrization is proposed for the hadronic form factors in the semileptonic $\bar{B}\to D\ell\bar{\nu}_\ell$ decay. By a combined consideration of the recent experimental and lattice QCD data, we determine precisely the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $|V_{cb}|=41.01(75)\times 10^{-3}$ and the ratio $\mathcal{R}_D=\frac{\mathcal{BR}(\bar{B}\to D \tau \bar{\nu}_\tau)}{\mathcal{BR}(\bar{B}\to D \ell \bar{\nu}_\ell)}=0.301(5)$. The coefficients in this parametrization, related to phase shifts by sumrulelike dispersion relations and hence called phase moments, encode important scattering information of the $\bar{B}\bar{D}$ interactions which are poorly known so far. Thus, we give strong hints about the existence of at least one bound and one virtual $\bar B \bar D$ $S$-wave $0^+$ states, subject to uncertainties produced by potentially sizable inelastic effects. This formalism is also applicable for any other semileptonic processes induced by the weak $b\to c$ transition.

Testing for gravitational preferred directions with galaxy and lensing surveys

We analyze the sensitivity of galaxy and weak-lensing surveys to detect preferred directions in the gravitational interaction. We consider general theories of gravity involving additional vector degrees of freedom with non-vanishing spatial components in the background. We use a model-independent parametrization of the perturbations equations in terms of four effective parameters, namely, the standard effective Newton constant Geff and slip parameter γ for scalar modes and two new parameters μQ and μh for vector and tensor modes respectively, which are required when preferred directions are present. We obtain the expressions for the multipole galaxy power spectrum in redshift space and for the weak-lensing shear, convergence and rotation spectra in the presence of preferred directions. By performing a Fisher matrix forecast analysis, we estimate the sensitivity of a future Euclid-like survey to detect this kind of modification of gravity. We finally compare with the effects induced by violations of statistical isotropy in the primordial power spectrum and identify the observables which could discriminate between them.

Complex-energy analysis of proton-proton fusion

An analysis of the astrophysical $S$ factor of the proton-proton weak capture ($\mathrm{p}+\mathrm{p}\rightarrow {}^2\mathrm{H}+\mathrm{e}^++\nu_{\mathrm{e}}$) is performed on a large energy range covering solar-core and early Universe temperatures. The measurement of $S$ being physically unachievable, its value relies on the theoretical calculation of the matrix element $\Lambda$. Surprisingly, $\Lambda$ reaches a maximum near $0.13~\mathrm{MeV}$ that has been unexplained until now. A model-independent parametrization of $\Lambda$ valid up to about $5~\mathrm{MeV}$ is established on the basis of recent effective-range functions. It provides an insight into the relationship between the maximum of $\Lambda$ and the proton-proton resonance pole at $(-140-467\,\mathrm{i})~\mathrm{keV}$ from analytic continuation. In addition, this parametrization leads to an accurate evaluation of the derivatives of $\Lambda$, and hence of $S$, in the limit of zero energy.

Model independent parametrization of the late time cosmic acceleration: Constraints on the parameters from recent observations

In this work, we have considered a model independent approach to study the nature of the late time cosmic acceleration. We have used the Pade approximation to parametrize the comoving distance. Consequently, from this comoving distance, we derive a parameterization for the Hubble parameter. Our parametrization is completely analytic and valid for late-time and matter dominated eras only. This parametrization possesses sub-percentage accuracy compared to any arbitrary cosmological model or parametrization up to matter dominated era. Using this parametrization, we put constraints on the parameters from recent low redshift cosmological observations including Planck 2018 distance priors. Our results show that the $\Lambda$CDM model is 1$\sigma$ to 2$\sigma$ away for lower redshifts. We find that the phantom crossing is allowed by all the combinations of dataset considered. We also find that the dynamical dark energy models are preferable at lower redshifts. Our study also shows that, at lower redshifts ($z<0.5$), phantom models are allowed at almost 1$\sigma$ confidence level.

Tension with the flat ΛCDM model from a high-redshift Hubble diagram of supernovae, quasars, and gamma-ray bursts

In the current framework, the standard parametrization of our Universe is the so-called Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model. Recently, a ∼4σ tension with the ΛCDM model was shown to exist via a model-independent parametrization of a Hubble diagram of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) from the JLA survey and quasars. Model-independent approaches and independent samples over a wide redshift range are key to testing this tension and any possible systematic errors. Here we present an analysis of a combined Hubble diagram of SNe Ia, quasars, and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) to check the agreement of the quasar and GRB cosmological parameters at high redshifts (z &gt; 2) and to test the concordance flat ΛCDM model with improved statistical accuracy. We build a Hubble diagram with SNe Ia, quasars, and GRBs, where quasars are standardised through the observed non-linear relation between their ultraviolet and X-ray emission and GRBs through the correlation between the spectral peak energy and the isotropic-equivalent radiated energy (the so-called Amati relation). We fit the data with cosmographic models consisting of a fourth-order logarithmic polynomial and a fifth-order linear polynomial, and compare the results with the expectations from a flat ΛCDM model. We confirm the tension between the best-fit cosmographic parameters and the ΛCDM model at ∼4σ with SNe Ia and quasars, at ∼2σ with SNe Ia and GRBs, and at &gt; 4σ with the whole SNe Ia+quasars+GRB data set. The completely independent high-redshift Hubble diagrams of quasars and GRBs are fully consistent with each other, strongly suggesting that the deviation from the standard model is not due to unknown systematic effects but to new physics.

Pion-to-vacuum vector and axial vector amplitudes and weak decays of pions in a magnetic field

We propose a model-independent parametrization for the one-pion-to-vacuum matrix elements of the vector and axial vector hadronic currents in the presence of an external uniform magnetic field. It is shown that, in general, these hadronic matrix elements can be written in terms of several gauge covariant Lorentz structures and form factors. Within this framework we obtain a general expression for the weak decay ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}l{\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{l}$ and discuss the corresponding limits of strong and weak external magnetic fields.

Model independent top quark width measurement using a combination of resonant and nonresonant cross sections

Though top quark was discovered more than twenty years ago, measurement of its width is still challenging task. Most measurements either have rather low precision or they are done in assumption of the SM top quark interactions. We consider model independent parametrization of the top quark width and provide estimations on achievable accuracy using a combination of fiducial cross sections in double, single and non-resonant regions.

Models, measurements, and effective field theory: Proton capture on Be7 at next-to-leading order

We employ an effective field theory (EFT) that exploits the separation of scales in the p-wave halo nucleus $^8\mathrm{B}$ to describe the process $^7\mathrm{Be}(p,\gamma)^8\mathrm{B}$ up to a center-of-mass energy of 500 keV. The calculation, for which we develop the lagrangian and power counting, is carried out up to next-to-leading order (NLO) in the EFT expansion. The power counting we adopt implies that Coulomb interactions must be included to all orders in $\alpha_{\rm em}$. We do this via EFT Feynman diagrams computed in time-ordered perturbation theory, and so recover existing quantum-mechanical technology such as the two-potential formalism for the treatment of the Coulomb-nuclear interference. Meanwhile the strong interactions and the E1 operator are dealt with via EFT expansions in powers of momenta, with a breakdown scale set by the size of the ${}^7$Be core, $\Lambda \approx 70$ MeV. Up to NLO the relevant physics in the different channels that enter the radiative capture reaction is encoded in ten different EFT couplings. The result is a model-independent parametrization for the reaction amplitude in the energy regime of interest. To show the connection to previous results we fix the EFT couplings using results from a number of potential model and microscopic calculations in the literature. Each of these models corresponds to a particular point in the space of EFTs. The EFT structure therefore provides a very general way to quantify the model uncertainty in calculations of $^7\mathrm{Be}(p,\gamma)^8\mathrm{B}$. We also demonstrate that the only N$^2$LO corrections in $^7\mathrm{Be}(p,\gamma)^8\mathrm{B}$ come from an inelasticity that is practically of N$^3$LO size in the energy range of interest, and so the truncation error in our calculation is effectively N$^3$LO. We also discuss the relation of our extrapolated $S(0)$ to the previous standard evaluation.

Inflationary versus reionization features from Planck 2015 data

Features during inflation and reionization leave corresponding features in the temperature and polarization power spectra that could potentially explain anomalies in the Planck 2015 data but require a joint analysis to disentangle. We study the interplay between these two effects using a model-independent parametrization of the inflationary power spectrum and the ionization history. Preference for a sharp suppression of large-scale power is driven by a feature in the temperature power spectrum at multipoles $\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\sim}20$, whereas preference for a component of high redshift ionization is driven by a sharp excess of polarization power at $\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\sim}10$ when compared with the lowest multipoles. Marginalizing inflationary freedom does not weaken the preference for $z\ensuremath{\gtrsim}10$ ionization, whereas marginalizing reionization freedom slightly enhances the preference for an inflationary feature but can also mask its direct signature in polarization. The inflation and reionization interpretation of these features makes predictions for the polarization spectrum which can be tested in future precision measurements especially at $10\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\lesssim}40$.

Above-threshold poles in model-independent form factor parametrizations

The model-independent parametrization for exclusive hadronic form factors commonly used for semileptonic decays is generalized to allow for the inclusion of above-threshold resonant poles of known mass and width. We discuss the interpretation of such poles, particularly with respect to the analytic structure of the relevant two-point Green's function in which they reside. Their presence has a remarkably small effect on the parametrization, as we show explicitly for the case of $D \to \pi e^+ \nu_e$.