arXiv subjects

A. M. Iyer

Publications and source records attributed to A. M. Iyer.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Improving lepton flavour universality tests with $K_L$ decays

Rare kaon decays provide sensitive probes of the flavour structure of the Standard Model and of possible new physics. We perform a global analysis incorporating recent experimental results and updated Standard Model predictions, including the latest measurement of $K^+ \to π^+ ν\barν$ and lepton flavour universality observables in $K^+ \to π^+ \ell^+\ell^-$. The fit favours a best-fit point close to the Standard Model, while a second local minimum remains phenomenologically relevant. We define benchmark scenarios associated with these two regions and investigate the prospective sensitivity of NA62 and KOTO-II to the new physics parameter space. We consider projected measurements of $K^+ \to π^+ ν\barν$ and lepton flavour universality observables in $K^+ \to π^+ \ell^+\ell^-$ at NA62, and of $K_L \to π^0 ν\barν$, $K_L \to π^0 e^+e^-$, and $K_L \to π^0 μ^+μ^-$ at KOTO-II. We find that KOTO-II has significant potential to probe and discriminate between the viable new physics scenarios, with NA62 providing complementary sensitivity.

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arXiv2026

Multi-boson splashes at future colliders from electroweak compositeness

We propose a new collider signature for the composite origin of the electroweak symmetry breaking of the standard model. The Higgs sector consists of new fundamental fermions (hyper-quarks), which confine at a hadronization scale $Λ_{HC} \sim$ few TeV. At energies above $Λ_{HC}$, the Drell-Yan production of the hyper-quarks leads to the production of a few electroweak bosons, in analogy with hadron production in QCD at $e^+e^- \to q\bar{q}$ around a few GeV. We show that this regime can be probed at future colliders, namely the proposed 100 TeV hadron collider (FCC-hh) and a 10 TeV muon collider. Together with the direct discovery of electroweak resonances, the multi electroweak boson signature provides a smoking gun for Higgs compositeness.

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arXiv2025

Probing scalar and pseudoscalar new physics using rare kaon decays

Rare kaon decays provide sensitive tests of new physics. In this work, we focus on scalar and pseudoscalar operators, analysing the $K\to π\ell^+\ell^-$ and $K\to \ell^+\ell^-$ decays. We highlight the complementary role of different modes: $K^+\toπ^+\ell^+\ell^-$, in particular the forward-backward asymmetry in the muon channel as a clean probe of scalar effects, the stringent constraints from $K_L\to μ^+μ^-$, and the discovery potential of future measurements of $K_S\to μ^+μ^-$ and $K_L\to π^0 \ell^+\ell^-$. The interplay between charged and neutral modes underscores the complementarity of NA62, the LHCb upgrade, and KOTO-II.

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arXiv2025

An insight into the rare $Z\rightarrow b \bar{b}γ$ at the HL-LHC

Studies at the $Z$-pole have played an important role in developing our understanding of the Standard Model (SM). Continuing the explorations in this regime, we consider the possibility of the production of two $b$-quarks and a photon in proton-proton collisions at the HL-LHC. While such a final state is possible in the SM by means of the process $Z\rightarrow b\bar b$ decay with a radiated photon, the focus is on extracting its possible origins due to beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. The signal topology can be broadly identified as $Z\rightarrow Φγ\rightarrow b\bar bγ$, where $ Φ$ can either be a spin-0 or spin-2 state with a mass less than that of the $Z$ boson.The analysis is characterised by two relatively low $p_T$ jets that are required to be $b$-tagged jets and an isolated photon. The study provides a quantitative framework for their identification and highlights the potential challenges associated with this final state. A range of machine learning architectures is employed to demonstrate the stability and reliability of the discriminating variables. This study highlights the importance of the low-$p_T$ objects in searches at the HL-LHC, hence the need to pay special attention to their identification and efficiencies.

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arXiv2025

Experimental Study of Rare Kaon Decays at J-PARC with KOTO and KOTO II

The rare kaon decay $K_L\toπ^0ν\barν$ is extremely sensitive to new physics, because the contribution to this decay in the Standard Model (SM) is highly suppressed and known very accurately; the branching ratio is $3\times 10^{-11}$ in the SM with a theoretical uncertainty of just 2%. The measurement of this branching ratio could provide essential new information about the flavor structure of the quark sector from the $s\to d$ transition. The decay is being searched for in the KOTO experiment at J-PARC, which has obtained the current best upper limit on the branching ratio of $2.2\times 10^{-9}$; a sensitivity to branching ratios below $10^{-10}$ is achievable by the end of the decade. A next-generation experiment at J-PARC, KOTO II, was proposed in 2024 with 82 members worldwide, including significant contributions from European members. The goal of KOTO II is to measure the $K_L\toπ^0ν\barν$ branching ratio with sensitivity below $10^{-12}$ in the 2030s. Discovery of the decay with $5σ$ significance is achievable at the SM value of the branching ratio. An indication of new physics with a significance of 90% is possible if the observed branching ratio differs by 40% from the SM value. Another important goal of KOTO II is to measure the branching ratio of the unobserved $K_L\to π^0e^+e^-$ decay, which can give an input to flavor structures of new physics. Other rare $K_L$ decays and hidden-sector particles are also in the scope of the study. After 2026, KOTO will be the only dedicated rare kaon decay experiment in the world, and KOTO II is the only future rare kaon decay project currently proposed. We would like to lead a global initiative for the experimental study of rare kaon decays, with significant contributions and support from the European community.

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arXiv2024

Theoretical implications for a new measurement of $K_L\to π^0 \ell\ell$

Kaon physics is at an important experimental juncture with respect to the ongoing measurements of several observables. This work will build on the existing status by formulating different phenomenological analyses corresponding to different paths that may lie ahead. Beginning with the golden channels, $K^+\rightarrowπ^+ν\barν$ and $K_L\rightarrowπ^0ν\barν$, the paper will eventually cast the spotlight on the importance of a precise measurement of BR($K_L\rightarrowπ^0\ell\bar\ell$). The phenomenological analyses involve sequentially adding kaon physics observables at the projected final precision of their respective measurements to the global fit. More specifically, we consider three different scenarios with different sets of observables assumed at their final precisions. Beginning with BR($K^+\rightarrowπ^+ν\barν$) and BR($K_L\rightarrowπ^0ν\barν$), we sequentially add BR($K_L\rightarrowπ^0 e\bar e$) and BR($K_L\rightarrowπ^0 μ\barμ$) to the global fit. The evolution of the result from one scenario to the next makes a strong case for the consideration of future measurement of BR($K_L\rightarrowπ^0\ell\bar\ell$).

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arXiv2024

Exploring scalar contributions with $K^+ \to π^+ \ell^+ \ell^-$

The rare kaon decay $K^+ \to π^+\ell^+\ell^-$ offers insights into Standard Model (SM) physics and beyond. Driven by vector form factor in the SM, it can also probe non-standard contributions. In this letter we study the scalar contribution, $f_S$. Using differential decay width and Forward-Backward Asymmetry we propose a simultaneous fit to vector and scalar contributions which is necessary for a consistent analysis. Novel bounds on $|f_S|$ are presented for the first time through a reinterpretation of the E865, NA48/2, and NA62 experimental results. The analysis results in the most precise bound $f_S < 7.9\times 10^{-6}$ at 90$\%$ confidence level.

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arXiv2022

Sifting composite from elementary models at FCCee and CePC

New Physics models with either an elementary or composite origin are often associated with a similar imprint in a direct search at colliders, case in point being the production of a light pseudoscalar in association with a monochromatic photon from the decay of a Z boson at future $e+e-$ colliders. We exploit the correlation between the discovery of a signal in the Z decays and electroweak precision measurements as a tool to distinguish a composite model from an elementary scalar one. Our results offer an appealing and rich physics case for future colliders and demonstrate how a lepton collider at the Z mass can be a discovery machine for new physics in the Higgs sector.

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arXiv2022

Exploring the sensitivity of hadron colliders to non-universality in heavy neutral currents

We present sensitivity projections for discovering a heavy resonance decaying to electron and muon pairs and for probing the charged lepton non-universality in such decays at the HL-LHC and FCC-hh. The analysis takes into account the expected differences in the reconstruction efficiencies and the dilepton mass resolutions for dielectron and dimuon final states. We demonstrate how the analyses at HL-LHC naturally paves the way for a FCC-hh machine thereby underlining its importance.

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arXiv2022

Anatomy of kaon decays and prospects for lepton flavour universality violation

The kaon sector is characterised by several processes which are under active investigation across different experiments. In this work, we present the global picture that emerges from a study of the different decay modes. We begin by revisiting the theoretical component of these decays and providing up-to-date predictions of the Standard Model as well as the corresponding uncertainties. Several new features emerge, in particular for $K_{S,L}\to μ\barμ$, and are presented in considerable detail. This offers an ideal platform for extracting the parameter space supported by the existing data. Motivated by possible lepton flavour universality violation in $B$ decays, we investigate such Beyond the Standard Model effects also in rare kaon decays. Without loss of generality, our primary analyses correspond to the paradigm where the Wilson coefficients for operators involving tau leptons are chosen to be equal to that involving the muon, i.e. $δC^τ=δC^μ$. We conclude by presenting the possible picture that can be achieved towards the end of the run of data accumulation in the planned experiments. This includes assumptions on possible sensitivity goals that the experiments can aim to achieve, in order to extract the kind of physics highlighted in this paper.

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arXiv2021

Tera-Zooming in on light (composite) axion-like particles

The Tera-Z phase of future $e^+ e^-$ colliders, FCC-ee and CepC, is a goldmine for exploring $Z$ portal physics. We focus on axion-like particles (ALPs) that can be produced via $Z$ decays with a monochromatic photon. As a template model, we consider composite Higgs models with a light pseudo-scalar that couples through the Wess-Zumino-Witten term to the electroweak gauge bosons. For both photophilic and photophobic cases, we show that the Tera-Z can probe composite scales up to $100$s of TeV, well beyond the capability of the LHC and current precision physics. Our results also apply to generic ALPs and, in particular, severely constrain models that explain the muon $g-2$ anomaly.

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arXiv2020

Gluon-Photon Signatures for color octet at the LHC (and beyond)

We consider a color octet scalar particle and its exotic decay in the channel gluon-$γ$ using an effective Lagrangian description for its strong and electromagnetic interactions. Such a state is present in many extensions of the Standard Model, and in particular in composite Higgs models with top partial compositeness, where couplings to photons arise via the Wess-Zumino-Witten term. We find that final states with one or two photons allow for a better reach at the LHC, even for small branching ratios. Masses up to $1.2$ TeV can be probed at the HL-LHC by use of all final states. Finally, we estimate the sensitivity of the hadronic FCC.

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arXiv2020

Confronting $B$ anomalies with low energy parity violation

Indirect searches have the potential to probe scales beyond the realm of direct searches. In this letter we consider the implications of two parity violating experiments: weak charge of proton $Q_W^p$ and the Caesium atom $Q_W^{Cs}$ on the solutions to lepton flavour non-universality violations (LFUV) in the decay of $B$ mesons. Working in a generic implementation of a minimal $Z^\prime$ model, we assume the primary contribution being due to the electron to facilitate comparison with the low $q^2$ parity violating experiments. We demonstrate that the conclusion is characterized by different limiting behavior depending on the chirality of the lepton current. The correlation developed in this study demonstrates the effectiveness in studying the synergy between different experiments leading to a deeper understanding of the interpretation of the existing data. It is shown that a possible future improvement in the parity violating experiments can have far reaching implications in the context of direct searches. We also comment on the prospect of addition of the muon to the fits and the role it plays in ameliorating the constraints on models of $Z'$. This offers a complimentary understanding of the pattern of the coupling of the NP to the leptons, strongly suggesting either a muon only or a combination of solutions to the anomalies.

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arXiv2017

Vector-like quarks and heavy coloured bosons at the LHC

We investigate the production of heavy coloured scalars and vectors and their relevance at LHC for the study of vector-like quarks ($T$). These coloured states ($C$) are present in a large number of extensions of the standard model, in particular in composite models and in extra dimensional models. Assuming that these bosonic states are heavier than the vector-like quarks (VLQ), we consider their production through the process $p~p\rightarrow C\rightarrow tT$. Large QCD production cross-sections for $C$ enable us to probe heavier masses for the VLQ and thereby allowing to put stronger limits on the vector-like quarks which are produced in their decay chain. We adopt a universal analysis strategy by including leptons under the classification of `jets', thereby limiting the bias towards a specific combination of final state. We also study the possibility of disentangling these scenarios from supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model by using simple discriminants based on jet multiplicity and missing energy. We demonstrate that a simple set of cuts are sufficient to disentangle the VLQ signal from the backgrounds. In models with a moderate $B.R.(C\rightarrow Tt)$, the analysis enables one to get a hint of VLQ masses as heavy as 3 TeV.

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arXiv2017

Dissecting Multi-Photon Resonances at the Large Hadron Collider

We examine the phenomenology of the production, at the 13 TeV Large Hadron Collider (LHC), of a heavy resonance $X$, which decays via other new on-shell particles $n$ into multi- (i.e.\ three or more) photon final states. In the limit that $n$ has a much smaller mass than $X$, the multi-photon final state may dominantly appear as a two photon final state because the $γ$s from the $n$ decay are highly collinear and remain unresolved. We discuss how to discriminate this scenario from $X \rightarrow γγ$: rather than discarding non-isolated photons, it is better instead to relax the isolation criterion and instead form photon jet substructure variables. The spins of $X$ and $n$ leave their imprint upon the distribution of pseudorapidity gap $Δη$ between the apparent two photon states. Depending on the total integrated luminosity, this can be used in many cases to claim discrimination between the possible spin choices of $X$ and $n$, although the case where $X$ and $n$ are both scalar particles cannot be discriminated from the direct $X \rightarrow γγ$ decay in this manner. Information on the mass of $n$ can be gained by considering the mass of each photon jet.

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arXiv2016

Kaluza-Klein gluon + jets associated production at the Large Hadron Collider

The Kaluza-Klein excitations of gluons offer the exciting possibility of probing bulk Randall-Sundrum (RS) models. In these bulk models either a custodial symmetry or a deformation of the metric away from AdS is invoked in order to deal with electroweak precision tests. Addressing both these models, we suggest a new channel in which to study the production of KK-gluons ($g_{KK}$): one where it is produced in association with one or more hard jets. The cross-section for the $g_{KK}+$ jets channel is significant because of several contributing sub-processes. In particular, the 1-jet and the 2-jet associated processes are important because at these orders in QCD the $qg$ and the $gg$ initial states respectively come into play. We have performed a hadron-level simulation of the signal and present strategies to effectively extract the signal from what could potentially be a huge background. We present results for the kinematic reach of the LHC Run-II for different $g_{KK}$ masses in bulk-RS models.

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arXiv2016

Warped $R-$Parity Violation

We consider a modified Randall-Sundrum (RS) framework between the Planck scale and the GUT scale. In this scenario, RS works as a theory of flavour and not as a solution to the hierarchy problem. The latter is resolved by supersymmetrising the bulk, so that the minimal supersymmetric standard model being the effective 4-dimensional theory. Matter fields are localised in the bulk in order to fit fermion-mass and mixing-data. If $R$-parity violating terms are allowed in the superpotential, their orders of magnitude throughout flavour space are then predicted, resulting in rich flavour textures. If the $R$-parity violating contributions to neutrino masses are somewhat suppressed, then lepton-number violating models exist which explain the neutrino oscillation data while not being in contradiction with current experimental bounds. Another promising model is one where baryon number is violated and Dirac neutrino masses result solely from fermion localisation. We sketch the likely discovery signatures of the baryon-number and the lepton-number violating cases.

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