Another SMEFT Story: $Z^\prime$ Facing New Results on $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$, $\Delta M_K$ and $K\to\pi\nu\bar\nu$

Abstract

Recently the RBC-UKQCD lattice collaboration presented new results for the hadronic matrix elements relevant for the ratio $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$ in the Standard Model (SM). With the present knowledge of the Wilson coefficients and isospin breaking effects there is still much room for new physics (NP) contributions to $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$ which could both enhance or suppress this ratio to agree with the data. The new SM value for the $K^0-\bar K^0$ mass difference $\Delta M_K$ from RBC-UKQCD is on the other hand by $2\sigma$ above the data hinting for NP required to suppress $\Delta M_K$. Simultaneously the most recent results for $K^+\rightarrow\pi^+\nu\bar\nu$ from NA62 and for $K_{L}\rightarrow\pi^0\nu\bar\nu$ from KOTO still allow for significant NP contributions. We point out that the suppression of $\Delta M_K$ by NP requires the presence of new CP-violating phases with interesting implications for $K\to\pi\nu\bar\nu$, $K_S\to\mu^+\mu^-$ and $K_L\to\pi^0\ell^+\ell^-$ decays. Considering a $Z^\prime$-scenario within the SMEFT we analyze the dependence of all these observables on the size of NP still allowed by the data on $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$. The NP QCD penguin scenario for $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$ is excluded by SMEFT renormalization group effects in $\varepsilon_K$ so that NP effects in $\varepsilon'/\varepsilon$ are governed by electroweak penguins. We also investigate for the first time whether the presence of a heavy $Z^\prime$ with flavour violating couplings could generate through top Yukawa renormalization group effects FCNCs mediated by the SM $Z$-boson. The outcome turns out to be very interesting.