Scale Of New Physics Research Articles

Effects of squared four-fermion operators of the standard model effective field theory on meson mixing

The standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) is a universal way of parametrizing new physics (NP) manifesting as new, heavy particle interactions with the Standard Model (SM) degrees of freedom, that respect the SM gauged symmetries. Higher order terms in the NP interactions possibly lead to sizable effects, mandatory for meaningful phenomenological studies, such as contributions to neutral meson mixing, which typically pushes the scale of NP to energy scales much beyond the reach of direct searches in colliders. I discuss the leading-order renormalization of double-insertions of dimension-6 four-fermion operators that change quark flavor by one unit (i.e., |ΔF|=1, F=strange-, charm-, or bottom-flavor), by dimension-8 operators relevant to meson mixing (i.e., |ΔF|=2) in SMEFT. Then, I consider the phenomenological implications of contributions proportional to large Yukawas, setting bounds on the Wilson coefficients of operators of dimension-6 via the leading logarithmic contributions. Given the underlying interest of SMEFT to encode full-fledged models at low energies, this work stresses the need to consider dimension-8 operators in phenomenological applications of dimension-6 operators of SMEFT. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Model-independent estimates for loop-induced baryon-number-violating nucleon decays

Baryon number is an accidental symmetry of the Standard Model (SM) Lagrangian that so far has been measured to be exactly preserved, although it is expected to be violated at higher energies. In this work we compute order-of-magnitude estimates for the matching contributions of generic ultraviolet models to effective operators that generate nucleon decay processes. This is done in a systematic and automated way using operators constructed from SM fields up to dimension nine and working in a framework that has proved useful in the study of lepton-number violation. For each of the operators we derive estimates for the rates of different nucleon-decay channels. These allow us to establish model-independent lower bounds on the underlying new-physics scale and identify potential correlations between the various decay modes. The results are most relevant for families of models that generate the considered operator. This analysis is especially timely given the expected future sensitivities in numerous experiments such as Hyper-K, DUNE, JUNO and THEIA.

Heavy neutral leptons from kaons in effective field theory

In the framework of the low-energy effective theory containing, in addition to the Standard-Model fields, heavy neutral leptons (HNLs), we compute the decay rates of neutral and charged kaons into HNLs. We consider both lepton-number-conserving and lepton-number-violating four-fermion operators, taking into account also the contribution of active-heavy neutrino mixing. Assuming that the produced HNLs are long-lived, we perform simulations and calculate the sensitivities of future long-lived-particle (LLP) detectors at the high-luminosity LHC as well as the near detector of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE-ND) to the considered scenario. When applicable, we also recast the existing bounds on the minimal mixing case obtained by NA62, T2K, and PS191. Our findings show that, while the future LHC LLP detectors can probe currently allowed parameter space only in certain benchmark scenarios, DUNE-ND should be sensitive to parameter space beyond the current bounds in almost all the benchmark scenarios, and, for some of the effective operators considered, it can even probe new-physics scales in excess of 3000 TeV. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

New physics interpretations for nonstandard values of h→Zγ

Current measurements of the h→Zγ signal strength invite us to speculate about possible new physics interactions that exclusively affect μZγ without altering the other signal strengths. Additional consideration of tree unitarity enables us to correlate the nonstandard values of μZγ with an upper limit on the scale of new physics. We find that even when μZγ deviates from the Standard Model value by only 20%, the scale of new physics should be well within the reach of the LHC. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Renormalisation group running effects in pp→tt¯h\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$pp\\rightarrow t{\\bar{t}}h$$\\end{document} in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory

We study the effects of renormalisation group running of the Wilson coefficients in Standard Model Effective Field Theory, using the process pp→tt¯h\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$pp \\rightarrow t {\\bar{t}}h$$\\end{document} as a showcase. We consider both strong and top Yukawa running effects, since the latter can be relevant in presence of large Wilson coefficients. We study the difference between the use of a dynamical and fixed renormalisation scale by exploring different scenarios for the higher-dimensional operators at the high energy scale of new physics, assumed to be at the TeV scale.

Lepton flavor violation by two units

Charged lepton flavor violation arises in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory at mass dimension six. The operators that induce neutrinoless muon and tauon decays are among the best constrained and are sensitive to new-physics scales up to 107GeV. An entirely different class of lepton-flavor-violating operators violates lepton flavors by two units rather than one and does not lead to such clean signatures. Even the well-known case of muonium–anti-muonium conversion that falls into this category is only sensitive to two out of the three ΔLμ=−ΔLe=2 dimension-six operators. We derive constraints on many of these operators from lepton flavor universality and show how to make further progress with future searches at Belle II and future experiments such as Z factories or muon colliders.

Consistency of Lorentz-invariance violation neutrino scenarios in time delay analyses

Modifications inspired by quantum gravity in the kinematics of special relativity can manifest in various ways, including anomalies in the time of flight of massless particles and the emergence of decay channels for otherwise stable particles. Typically, these effects are studied independently; however, it may be necessary to combine both to perform a consistent analysis. In this work, we study the interplay between time-of-flight anomalies and neutrino instability in the context of a flavour-independent high-energy Lorentz-invariance violation (LIV) in the neutrino sector. Ensuring compatibility between both types of effects imposes strong constraints on the existence of early neutrinos with energies exceeding a maximum value determined by the scale of new physics. Such constraints depend on the specific LIV scenario and should be integrated into searches for high-energy neutrinos from gamma-ray bursts exhibiting LIV time shifts.

Test of new physics effects in overline{B}to left({D}^{left(ast right)},pi right){ell}^{-}{overline{nu}}_{ell } decays with heavy and light leptons

We study the overline{B}to Dleft({D}^{ast}right){ell}^{-}{overline{nu}}_{ell } decays based on the up-to-date available inputs from experiments and the lattice. First, we review the standard model (SM) predictions of the different observables associated with these decay channels. In the analyses, we consider new physics (NP) effects in the channels with the heavy (τ), as well as the light leptons (μ, e). We have extracted |Vcb| along with the new physics Wilson coefficients (WCs) from the available data on light leptons; the extracted value of |Vcb| is (40.3 ± 0.5) × 10−3. The extracted WCs are consistent with zero, but some could be of order 10−2. Also, we have done the simultaneous analysis of the data in overline{B}to {D}^{left(ast right)}left({mu}^{-},{e}^{-}right)overline{nu} alongside the inputs on Rleft({D}^{left(ast right)}right)=frac{Gamma left(overline{B}to {D}^{left(ast right)}{tau}^{-}{overline{nu}}_{tau}right)}{Gamma left(overline{B}to {D}^{left(ast right)}{ell}^{-}{overline{nu}}_{ell}right)} and the D∗ longitudinal polarisation fraction {F}_L^{D^{ast }} in different NP scenarios and extracted |Vcb| which is consistent with the number mentioned above. Also, the simultaneous explanation of R(D(∗)) and {F}_L^{D^{ast }} is not possible in the one-operator scenarios. However, the two operator scenarios with {mathcal{O}}_{S_2}^{tau }=left({overline{q}}_R{b}_Lright)left({overline{tau}}_R{nu}_{tau L}right) as one of the operators could explain all these three measurements. Finally, we have given predictions of all the related observables in overline{B}to {D}^{left(ast right)}left({tau}^{-},{mu}^{-},{e}^{-}right)overline{nu} decays in the NP scenarios, which could be tested in future experiments. We have repeated this exercise for overline{B}to pi {ell}^{-}{overline{nu}}_{ell } decays with the light lepton and extracted |Vub| and the new physics WCs. Finally, using all these available data for the light and heavy leptons, we have given bounds on the couplings of the relevant SM effective field theory (SMEFT) operators and the probable NP scale Λ.

On the role of LHC and HL-LHC in constraining flavor changing neutral currents

The Standard Model has no Flavor-Changing Neutral Current (FCNC) processes at the tree level. Therefore, processes featuring FCNC in new physics are tightly constrained by data. Typically, the lower bounds on the scale of new physics obtained from K−K¯ or B−B¯ mixing lie well above 10 TeV, surpassing the reach of current and future colliders. In this paper, we demonstrate, using a specific Z′ model that features flavor-changing interactions, that such limits can be severely weakened by specific choices of the quark mixing matrices with no prejudice while maintaining the CKM matrix in agreement with the data. We highlight the valuable role of the often-overlooked D0 mixing in deriving robust FCNC limits and show that the LHC and HL-LHC are promising probes for flavor-changing interactions mediated by a Z′ boson.

Exploring mixed lepton-quark interactions in non-resonant leptoquark production at the LHC

Searches for new physics (NP) at particle colliders typically involve multivariate analysis of kinematic distributions of final state particles produced in a decay of a hypothetical NP resonance. Since the pair-production cross-sections mediated by such resonances are strongly suppressed by the NP scale, this analysis becomes less relevant for NP searches for masses of the BSM resonance above 1 TeV. On the other hand, t-channel processes are less sensitive to the mass of the virtual mediator and therefore larger phase-space can be potentially probed as well as the couplings between the NP particles and the Standard Model fields. The fact that transitions between different generations of quarks and leptons may exist, the potential of the search presented in this article can be used, as a reference guide, to enlarge significantly the scope of searches performed at the LHC to flavour off-diagonal channels, in a theoretically consistent approach. In this work, we study non-resonant production of scalar leptoquarks which have been proposed in the literature to provide a potential avenue for radiative generation of neutrino masses, accommodating as well the existing flavour physics data. Final states involving just two muons at the LHC (μ+μ−), are used as a well-motivated case study.

Towards a bound on the Higgs mass in causal set quantum gravity

In the Standard Model of particle physics, the mass of the Higgs particle can be linked to the scale at which the Standard Model breaks down due to a Landau pole/triviality problem: for a Higgs mass somewhat higher than the measured value, the Standard Model breaks down before the Planck scale. We take a first step towards investigating this relation in the context of causal set quantum gravity. We use a scalar-field propagator that carries the imprints of spacetime discreteness in a modified ultraviolet behavior that depends on a nonlocality scale. We investigate whether the modification can shift the scale of the Landau pole in a scalar field theory with quartic interaction. We discover that the modifications speed up the onset of the Landau pole considerably, so that the scale of new physics occurs roughly at the nonlocality scale. Our results call into question, whether a separation between the nonlocality scale and the discreteness scale, which is postulated within causal set quantum gravity, and which has been argued to give rise to phenomenological consequences, is in fact achievable. Methodologically, our paper is the first to apply continuum functional Renormalization Group techniques in the context of a causal-set inspired setting.

Physics of the Top Quark at the LHC: An Appraisal and Outlook of the Road Ahead

Since its start, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has helped advance both theory and experiment on the production and properties of the heaviest fundamental particle, the top quark. This review focuses on a selected set of measurements and associated searches for new physics, which have opened the door for unprecedented precision in this area of high-energy physics. Fundamental parameters of the theory such as mt, αS, Vtb, and ytare measured from top quark events with relative uncertainties that are smaller than 0.5%, 1.8%, 2%, and 10%, respectively, and that are expected to improve with more data, better experimental methods, and more accurate theory predictions. Several results, even if statistically limited, already significantly constrain the phase space of new physics: measurements of associated production with bosons, processes with four top quarks, and searches for rare decays, among others. It is expected that until the completion of the LHC program, top quark physics will keep providing unique insights regarding the consistency of the Standard Model and the energy scale of new physics.

The two scales of new physics in Higgs couplings

Higgs coupling deviations from Standard Model predictions contain information about two scales of Nature: that of new physics responsible for the deviation, and the scale where new bosons must appear. The two can coincide, but they do not have to. The scale of new bosons can be calculated by going beyond an effective field theory description of the coupling deviation. We compute model-independent upper bounds on the scale of new bosons for deviations in Higgs to WW and ZZ couplings, finding that any measured deviation at present or future colliders requires the existence of new bosons within experimental reach. This has potentially interesting implications for naturalness.

Can the Higgs still account for the g−2 anomaly?

In this paper, we use an Effective Field Theory (EFT) approach to evaluate the viability of the Higgs to account for the [Formula: see text] anomaly. Although the SM contribution of the Higgs to the muon’s magnetic dipole moment is negligible, using a bottom-up EFT, we show that given the current level of experimental limits on the Higgs sector, the Higgs can still yield a viable solution to the [Formula: see text] anomaly if its couplings to the rest of the SM particles are allowed to deviate from their SM predictions. Such a solution would only require an [Formula: see text] fine-tuning. Further, applying unitarity arguments, we show that such a solution would indicate a scale of New Physics (NP) of [Formula: see text]5–8[Formula: see text]TeV, which could be lowered to [Formula: see text]3.4–4 TeV if the Higgs couplings to the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are assumed to conform to their SM predictions. We show that such a scenario could yield significant enhancement to the di-Higgs production in muon colliders, thus providing further motivation for its consideration. A key takeaway of this study is to highlight the importance of measuring the [Formula: see text] coupling in future experiments.

Effective field theory of chirally enhanced muon mass and dipole operators

We study corrections to observables related to the muon in the context of models of new physics which generate mass-enhanced corrections to the muon dipole moments. Working in the Standard Model effective theory, we demonstrate a correlation between the decay of the Higgs boson to muons, and the magnetic and electric dipole moments of the muon generated by the dominant matching corrections. This defines a novel way to classify predictions for a wide variety of models of new physics based on the pattern of deviations of these three observables. In particular, when applied to specific models we find that this correlation has a potential to rule out whole models or set upper bounds on the scale of new physics motivated by the muon anomalous magnetic moment.

Baryon number violation from confining new physics

The detection of neutron-antineutron oscillation will be a discovery of fundamental importance in particle physics and cosmology. In models discussed widely in literature, the process is generated through heavy new physics with weak, perturbative coupling at the scale of the experiment. Acknowledging the fact that nature has been quite evasive regarding the strength and scale of new physics, we discuss a new mechanism, generated by confining new physics, at $\ensuremath{\sim}2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, resulting in low-energy baryon number violating effects. The mechanism predicts baryon number violating processes like neutron disappearance, neutron-neutron annihilation and neutron-antineutron oscillation generated through the condensation of the linear moose.

Completing RHINO

The right-handed (RH) Higgs-induced neutrino mixing (RHINO) model explains neutrino masses and origin of matter in the universe within a unified picture. The mixing, effectively described by a dimension five operator, is responsible both for the production of dark neutrinos, converting a small fraction of seesaw neutrinos acting as source, and for their decays. We show that including the production of source neutrinos from Higgs portal interactions, their abundance can thermalise prior to the onset of source-dark neutrino oscillations, resulting into an enhanced production of dark neutrinos that thus can play the role of decaying dark matter (DM) for a much higher seesaw scale. This can be above the sphaleron freeze-out temperature and as high as ~ 100 TeV, so that strong thermal resonant leptogenesis for the generation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry is viable. We obtain a ~ 1 TeV–1 PeV allowed dark neutrino mass range. Intriguingly, their decays can also explain a neutrino flux excess at mathcal{O} (100 TeV) energies recently confirmed by the IceCube collaboration analysing 7.5 yr HESE data. Our results also point to an effective scale for Higgs portal interactions nicely identifiable with the grandunified scale and many orders of magnitude below the effective scale for the mixing. We explain this hierarchy in a UV-complete model with a very heavy fermion as mediator: the first scale corresponds to the fundamental scale of new physics, while the second is much higher because of a very small coupling that can be identified with a symmetry breaking parameter. Therefore, RHINO realises a simple unified model of neutrino masses and origin of matter in the universe currently under scrutiny at neutrino telescopes and potentially embeddable within a grandunified model.

Long-lived heavy neutral leptons from mesons in effective field theory

In the framework of the low-energy effective field theory of the Standard Model extended with heavy neutral leptons (HNLs), we calculate the production rates of HNLs from meson decays triggered by dimension-six operators. We consider both lepton-number-conserving and lepton-number-violating four-fermion operators involving either a pair of HNLs or a single HNL. Assuming that HNLs are long-lived, we perform simulations and investigate the reach of the proposed far detectors at the high-luminosity LHC to (i) active-heavy neutrino mixing and (ii) the Wilson coefficients associated with the effective operators, for HNL masses below the mass of the B-meson. We further convert the latter to the associated new-physics scales. Our results show that scales in excess of hundreds of TeV and the active-heavy mixing squared as small as 10−15 can be probed by these experiments.

Universal signatures of singularity-resolving physics in photon rings of black holes and horizonless objects

Within quantum-gravity approaches and beyond, different mechanisms for singularity resolution in black holes exist. Under a set of assumptions that we spell out in detail, these mechanisms leave their imprint in shadow images of spherically symmetric black holes.We find that even current EHT accuracy is sufficient to place nontrivial constraints on the scale of new physics within one modified spacetime, if the EHT measurement of M87* is combined with an independent measurement of the black-hole mass.In other spacetimes, increased accuracy is required that the next-generation EHT may deliver.We show how the combination of n = 1 and n = 2 photon rings is a powerful probe of the spacetime geometry of regular black holes, even when considering astrophysical uncertainties in accretion disks. Further, we generate images containing a localized emission region, inspired by the idea of hotspots in accretion flows.Finally, we investigate the photon-ring structure of a horizonless object, which is characterized by either two or no photon spheres. We show how photon rings annihilate each other, when there is no photon sphere in the spacetime.

Precision μ+μ+ and μ+e− elastic scatterings

Abstract The expected measurement precisions of elastic scattering cross sections are estimated for μ+μ+ and μ+e− colliders, which have recently been proposed as future realistic possibilities (μTRISTAN). Compared with contributions from possible new physics represented by higher-dimensional operators, we find that the measurements at a TeV energy μ+μ+ collider can probe the scale of new physics up to O(100) TeV. A μ+e− collider for the Higgs boson factory can also improve the electroweak precision test. For those studies, we assume the expected integrated luminosity at μTRISTAN, Lint = 120 fb−1 (μ+μ+) and 1 ab−1 (μ+e−).