Search For Lepton Flavor Violation Research Articles

Lepton flavour violation in rare Lambda _b decays

Lepton flavour violation (LFV) naturally occurs in many new physics models, specifically in those explaining the B anomalies. While LFV has already been studied for mesonic decays, it is important to consider also baryonic decays mediated by the same quark transition. In this paper, we study LFV in the baryonic Lambda _b rightarrow Lambda ell _1 ell _2 using for the first time a full basis of New Physics operators. We present expected bounds on the branching ratio in a model-independent framework and using two specific new physics models. Finally, we point out the interplay and orthogonality between the baryonic and mesonic LFV searches.

Phenomenology of the Zee model for Dirac neutrinos and general neutrino interactions

The Zee model for Dirac neutrinos is one of the simplest models featuring one-loop Dirac neutrino masses. The interactions between the new scalars (two singly-charged fields) and neutrinos induce general neutrino interactions (GNI) which, as a generalisation of the non standard neutrino interactions, constitute an additional tool to probe models beyond the SM like this. In this work, we consider a $U(1)_{{B-L}}$ gauge symmetry as the responsible for the Diracness of the neutrinos and the radiative character of the neutrino masses. We determine the viable parameter space consistent with neutrino oscillation data, leptonic rare decays and collider constraints, and establish the most relevant experimental prospects regarding lepton flavor violation searches and GNI in future solar neutrino experiments.

Neutrino masses from low scale partial compositeness

We consider a class of models in which the neutrinos acquire Majorana masses through mixing with singlet neutrinos that emerge as composite states of a strongly coupled hidden sector. In this framework, the light neutrinos are partially composite particles that obtain their masses through the inverse seesaw mechanism. We focus on the scenario in which the strong dynamics is approximately conformal in the ultraviolet, and the compositeness scale lies at or below the weak scale. The small parameters in the Lagrangian necessary to realize the observed neutrino masses can naturally arise as a consequence of the scaling dimensions of operators in the conformal field theory. We show that this class of models has interesting implications for a wide variety of experiments, including colliders and beam dumps, searches for lepton flavor violation and neutrinoless double beta decay, and cosmological observations. At colliders and beam dumps, this scenario can give rise to striking signals involving multiple displaced vertices. The exchange of hidden sector states can lead to observable rates for flavor violating processes such as μ → eγ and μ → e conversion. If the compositeness scale lies at or below a hundred MeV, the rate for neutrinoless double beta decay is suppressed by form factors and may be reduced by an order of magnitude or more. The late decays of relic singlet neutrinos can give rise to spectral distortions in the cosmic microwave background that are large enough to be observed in future experiments.

Confronting grand unification with lepton flavour violation, dark matter and LHC data

We explore possible signatures for charged lepton flavour violation (LFV), sparticle discovery at the LHC and dark matter (DM) searches in grand unified theories (GUTs) based on SU(5), flipped SU(5) (FSU(5)) and SU(4)c×SU(2)L×SU(2)R (4-2-2). We assume that soft supersymmetry-breaking terms preserve the group symmetry at some high input scale, and focus on the non-universal effects on different matter representations generated by gauge interactions at lower scales, as well as the charged LFV induced in Type-1 see-saw models of neutrino masses. We identify the different mechanisms that control the relic DM density in the various GUT models, and contrast their LFV and LHC signatures. The SU(5) and 4-2-2 models offer good detection prospects both at the LHC and in LFV searches, though with different LSP compositions, and the SU(5) and FSU(5) models offer LFV within the current reach. The 4-2-2 model allows chargino and gluino coannihilations with neutralinos, and the former offer good detection prospects for both the LHC and LFV, while gluino coannihilations lead to lower LFV rates. Our results indicate that LFV is a powerful tool that complements LHC and DM searches, providing significant insights into the sparticle spectra and neutrino mass parameters in different models.

Vectorlike leptons and inert scalar triplet: Lepton flavor violation, g−2 , and collider searches

We investigate simplified models involving an inert scalar triplet and vector-like leptons that can account for the muon $g-2$ anomaly. These simplified scenarios are embedded in a model that features W' and Z' bosons, which are subject to stringent collider bounds. The constraints coming from the muon $g-2$ anomaly are put into perspective with collider bounds, as well as bounds coming from lepton flavor violation searches. The region of parameter space that explains the $g-2$ anomaly is shown to be within reach of lepton flavor violation probes and future colliders such as HL-LHC and HE-LHC.

KEK and its plans

There are two campuses in KEK, Tsukuba and Tokai. In the Tsukuba campus, the operation of the SuperKEKB accelerator just started with the full Belle II detector from March 2019. SuperKEKB and Belle II had been upgraded from KEKB and Belle, respectively. The luminosity exceeded 1.6× 1034 cm−1s−1 in April 2020 with lower total beam current as compared with KEKB due to smaller vertical focussing length at the interaction point (βy*). It indicates that the upgrade accelerator can provide higher luminosity with higher beam current in the near future after sufficient vacuum scrubbing. The Belle II detector is basically working well. The time-depenednt B0−B̄0 mixing was clearly demonstrated as an example. In the Tokai campus, the high intensity proton accelerator (J-PARC) has been operated for more than 10 years. The facility provides us various particle beams (pion, kaon, neutron, muon and neutrino). Several nuclear experiments have been carried out using pion and kaon beams. The T2K experiment provides some results for the CP-violation in the neutrino sector using neutrino and antineutrino beams. New project, Hyper-Kamiokande (HK) was officially approved in January 2020. The detector and the beam line for the COMET experiment (the search for the charged lepton flavor violation) have been constructed steadly to aim the run start in 2023. The material and other sciences have been performed utilizing neutron and muon beams.

Coming decade of h→τμ and τ→μγ interplay in τ flavor violation search

We explore the interplay between $h(125) \to \tau\mu$ search at the LHC and $\tau \to \mu\gamma$ at the up and coming Belle~II experiment, in context of the general two Higgs doublet model with extra Yukawa couplings such as $\rho_{\tau\mu}$. The search for $h \to \tau\mu$ constrains $\rho_{\tau\mu} \cos\gamma$, where $\cos\gamma$ is the $h$--$H$ mixing angle of $h$ with the exotic $CP$-even scalar $H$. For $\tau \to \mu\gamma$, we define the "BSM-benchmark" by setting the extra top Yukawa coupling $\rho_{tt} = 1\ (\cong \lambda_t)$ in two-loop diagrams, and $\cos\gamma = 0$ to decouple $h$. We show that this leading effect due to $H$ and $CP$-odd scalar $A$ can be readily probed by Belle~II, even for the conservative value of $\rho_{\tau\mu} = 0.7\lambda_\tau$. We define the subleading "$h$-benchmark" by setting $\rho_{tt} = 0$ in two-loop diagrams, and take the conservative maximal value of $\cos\gamma = 0.2$. We show that it falls beyond Belle~II reach, but can interfere with the BSM-benchmark effect, which in principle probes the phase of $\rho_{tt}$. We further show that the one-loop $H$, $A$ effect, proportional to $\rho_{\tau\mu}\rho_{\tau\tau}$ in amplitude, is beyond the sensitivity of Belle~II to probe, even for $\rho_{\tau\tau}$ as large as $3\lambda_\tau$. With the working assumption that $\rho_{32}^f, \rho_{33}^f = {\cal O}(\lambda_3^f)$ for all charged fermions $f$, we find good discovery potential for both $\tau$ lepton flavor violation searches in the coming decade.

High-energy constraints from low-energy neutrino nonstandard interactions

Many scenarios of new physics predict the existence of neutrino Non-Standard Interactions, new vector contact interactions between neutrinos and first generation fermions beyond the Standard Model. We obtain model-independent constraints on the Standard Model Effective Field Theory at high energies from bounds on neutrino non-standard interactions derived at low energies. Our analysis explores a large set of new physics scenarios and includes full one-loop running effects below and above the electroweak scale. Our results show that neutrino non-standard interactions already push the scale of new physics beyond the TeV. We also conclude that bounds derived by other experimental probes, in particular by low-energy precision measurements and by charged lepton flavor violation searches, are generally more stringent. Our study constitutes a first step towards the systematization of phenomenological analyses to evaluate the impact of neutrino Non-Standard Interactions for new physics scenarios at high energies.

A search for charged lepton flavor violation in the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment will search for the neutrino-less conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus. An observation would be the first signal of charged lepton flavor violation and de facto evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The clean signature of the conversion process offers an opportunity for a powerful search: Mu2e will probe four orders of magnitude beyond current limits, with real discovery potential over a wide range of well-motivated new physics models. This goal requires an integrated system of solenoids that will create the most intense muon beam in the world, and suppression of all possible background sources. The Mu2e components are currently being constructed, with the experiment planned to begin operations in the Fermilab Muon Campus within the next few years.

Searches for lepton flavor and lepton number violation in K + decays with NA62

The NA62 experiment at the CERN SPS provides unique opportunity to study rare and forbidden decays of K + mesons. Using the data collected in 2017 a search for the lepton number violating decays K + → π − µ + µ + and K + → π − e + e + has been performed. New upper limits on the branching ratio have been obtained: 4.2×10−11 for the muon and 2.2×10−10 for the electron mode (90% confidence level). These results improve the existing limits by factors of 2 and 3 respectively.

Phenomenological consistency of the singlet-triplet scotogenic model

We perform a complete analysis of the consistency of the singlet-triplet scotogenic model, where both dark matter and neutrino masses can be explained. We determine the parameter space that yields the proper thermal relic density been in agreement with neutrino physics, lepton flavor violation, direct and indirect dark matter searches. In particular, we calculate the dark matter annihilation into two photons, finding that the corresponding cross-section is below the present bounds reported by the Fermi-LAT and H.E.S.S. collaborations. We also determine the spin-dependent cross-section for dark matter elastic scattering with nucleons at one-loop level, finding that the next generation of experiments as LZ and DARWIN could test a small region of the parameter space of the model.

Charged-particle spectra from μ− capture on Al

Published data on the emission of charged particles following nuclear muon capture are extremely limited. In addition to its interest as a probe of the nuclear response, these data are important for the design of some current searches for lepton flavor violation. This work presents momentum spectra of protons and deuterons following $\mu^{-}$ capture in aluminum. It is the first measurement of a muon capture process performed with a tracking spectrometer. A precision of better than 10% over the momentum range of 100--190 MeV/c for protons is obtained; for deuterons of 145--250 MeV/c the precision is better than 20%. The observed partial yield of protons with emission momenta above 80 MeV/c (kinetic energy 3.4 MeV) is $0.0322\pm0.0007(\text{stat})\pm0.0022(\text{syst})$ per capture, and for deuterons above 130 MeV/c (4.5 MeV) it is $0.0122\pm0.0009(\text{stat})\pm0.0006(\text{syst})$. Extrapolating to total yields gives $0.045\pm0.001(\text{stat})\pm0.003(\text{syst}) \pm 0.001(\text{extrapolation})$ per capture for protons and $0.018\pm0.001(\text{stat})\pm0.001(\text{syst})\pm 0.002(\text{extrapolation})$ for deuterons, which are the most precise measurements of these quantities to date.

Towards a new generation of Charged Lepton Flavour Violation searches at the Paul Scherrer Institut: The MEG upgrade and the Mu3e experiment

The MEG experiment has recently set a new upper limit on the branching ratio of the µ+ → e+γ decay, ℬ(µ+ → e+γ) < 4.2 × 10−13 (at 90% confidence level) and un upgrade of the experiment (the MEGII experiment) is ongoing with the aim of improving the single event sensitivity (SES) by one order of magnitude with respect to the previous MEG experiment’s SES. The strong scientific motivation associated with the charged Lepton Flavour Violation (cLFV) searches pushes also towards searching for the complementary muon cLFV µ+ → e+e+e− decay with a completely new apparatus, the Mu3e experiment, aiming at a SES improved by at least three orders of magnitude with respect to the previous SINDRUM experiment’s SES (Mu3e phase I). An ultimate SES of few ×10−16 is foreseen requiring 109 µ/s (Mu3e phase II). Both experiments will be hosted at the Paul Scherrer Institut which currently delivers the most intense continuous low energy muon beam in the world up to few ×108 µ/s. The status of both the MEGII and Mu3e phase I experiments is given.

Searches for lepton-flavour-violating decays of the Higgs boson in [formula omitted]pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

This Letter presents direct searches for lepton flavour violation in Higgs boson decays, H→eτ and H→μτ, performed with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The searches are based on a data sample of proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy s=13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb−1. No significant excess is observed above the expected background from Standard Model processes. The observed (median expected) 95% confidence-level upper limits on the lepton-flavour-violating branching ratios are 0.47% (0.34−0.10+0.13%) and 0.28% (0.37−0.10+0.14%) for H→eτ and H→μτ, respectively.

Lepton flavor violation and collider searches in a type I + II seesaw model

Neutrinos are massless in the Standard Model. The most popular mechanism to generate neutrino masses are the type I and type II seesaw, where right-handed neutrinos and a scalar triplet are augmented to the Standard Model, respectively. In this work, we discuss a model where a type I + II seesaw mechanism naturally arises via spontaneous symmetry breaking of an enlarged gauge group. Lepton flavor violation is a common feature in such setup and for this reason, we compute the model contribution to the mu rightarrow egamma and mu rightarrow 3e decays. Moreover, we explore the connection between the neutrino mass ordering and lepton flavor violation in perspective with the LHC, HL-LHC and HE-LHC sensitivities to the doubly charged scalar stemming from the Higgs triplet. Our results explicitly show the importance of searching for signs of lepton flavor violation in collider and muon decays. The conclusion about which probe yields stronger bounds depends strongly on the mass ordering adopted, the absolute neutrino masses and which much decay one considers. In the 1–5 TeV mass region of the doubly charged scalar, lepton flavor violation experiments and colliders offer orthogonal and complementary probes. Thus if a signal is observed in one of the two new physics searches, the other will be able to assess whether it stems from a seesaw framework.

Sensitivity of future lepton colliders to the search for charged lepton flavor violation

The observation of lepton flavor violation indicates new physics beyond the Standard Model. Lepton colliders are ideal facilities to probe charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) signals induced by new physics at high energy. We perform a comprehensive study of the sensitivity of future lepton colliders to charged lepton flavor violation. We consider the most general renormalizable Lagrangian coupling two leptons to new bosonic particles, involving both $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}L=0$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}L=2$ interactions. The CLFV processes are introduced by the exchange of off-shell new particles at tree level. We find that CEPC, ILC, FCC-ee, and CLIC each provide a complementary probe of CLFV couplings to low-energy precision experiments for $\ensuremath{\tau}$ lepton(s) in final states, while low-energy precision experiments are more sensitive in the absence of $\ensuremath{\tau}$ leptons.

Left-right SU(4) vector leptoquark model for flavor anomalies

Building on our recent proposal to explain the experimental hints of new physics in $B$ meson decays within the framework of Pati-Salam quark-lepton unification, through the interactions of the $(3,1)_{2/3}$ vector leptoquark, we construct a realistic model of this type based on the gauge group ${\rm SU}(4)_L \times {\rm SU}(4)_R \times {\rm SU}(2)_L \times {\rm U}(1)'$ and consistent with all experimental constraints. The key feature of the model is that ${\rm SU}(4)_R$ is broken at a high scale, which suppresses right-handed lepton flavor changing currents at the low scale and evades the stringent bounds from searches for lepton flavor violation. The mass of the leptoquark can be as low as $10 \ {\rm TeV}$ without the need to introduce mixing of quarks or leptons with new vector-like fermions. We provide a comprehensive list of model-independent bounds from low energy processes on the couplings in the effective Hamiltonian that arises from generic leptoquark interactions, and then apply these to the model presented here. We discuss various meson decay channels that can be used to probe the model and we investigate the prospects for discovering the new gauge boson at future colliders.

Search for lepton flavour violation with the ATLAS experiment

Lepton flavour violation (LFV) is a striking signature of potential beyond the Standard Model physics. The search for LFV with the ATLAS detector is reported in searches focusing on the decay of the Higgs boson, the Z boson and of a heavy neutral gauge boson, Z’, using pp collisions data with a center of mass energy of 8 TeV and 13 TeV.

The Lepton Flavour Violation Decays at the LHCb Experiment

These proceedings present a set of searches for lepton flavour violation, performed using decays of B and D mesons, using data collected by the LHCb experiment. None of the described searches resulted in an observation of the signal and upper limits on the branching fractions are established.

Majorana neutrino masses in the renormalization group equations for lepton flavor violation

We suppose that the observed neutrino masses can be parametrised by a lepton number violating dimension-five operator, and calculate the mixing of double insertions of this operator into lepton flavour changing dimension-six operators of the standard model effective theory. This allows to predict the log-enhanced, but $m_\nu^2$-suppressed lepton flavour violation that is generic to high-scale Majorana neutrino mass models. We also consider the Two Higgs Doublet Model, where the second Higgs allows the construction of three additional dimension-five operators, and evaluate the corresponding anomalous dimensions. The sensitivity of current searches for lepton flavour violation to these additional Wilson coefficients is then examined.