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Alberto Mariotti

Publications and source records attributed to Alberto Mariotti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The Muon Smasher's Guide

We lay out a comprehensive physics case for a future high-energy muon collider, exploring a range of collision energies (from 1 to 100 TeV) and luminosities. We highlight the advantages of such a collider over proposed alternatives. We show how one can leverage both the point-like nature of the muons themselves as well as the cloud of electroweak radiation that surrounds the beam to blur the dichotomy between energy and precision in the search for new physics. The physics case is buttressed by a range of studies with applications to electroweak symmetry breaking, dark matter, and the naturalness of the weak scale. Furthermore, we make sharp connections with complementary experiments that are probing new physics effects using electric dipole moments, flavor violation, and gravitational waves. An extensive appendix provides cross section predictions as a function of the center-of-mass energy for many canonical simplified models.

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Ripples in Spacetime from Broken Supersymmetry

We initiate the study of gravitational wave (GW) signals from first-order phase transitions in supersymmetry-breaking hidden sectors. Such phase transitions often occur along a pseudo-flat direction universally related to supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking in hidden sectors that spontaneously break $R$-symmetry. The potential along this pseudo-flat direction imbues the phase transition with a number of novel properties, including a nucleation temperature well below the scale of heavy states (such that the temperature dependence is captured by the low-temperature expansion) and significant friction induced by the same heavy states as they pass through bubble walls. In low-energy SUSY-breaking hidden sectors, the frequency of the GW signal arising from such a phase transition is guaranteed to lie within the reach of future interferometers given existing cosmological constraints on the gravitino abundance. Once a mediation scheme is specified, the frequency of the GW peak correlates with the superpartner spectrum. Current bounds on supersymmetry are compatible with GW signals at future interferometers, while the observation of a GW signal from a SUSY-breaking hidden sector would imply superpartners within reach of future colliders.

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A light dilaton at the LHC

In this paper, we explore the possibility that a light dilaton can be the first sign of new physics at the LHC. The dilaton could emerge in approximate scale invariant UV completions of the SM as the Goldstone boson associated with the spontaneous breaking of the scale invariance. We study in detail the phenomenology of the dilaton at the LHC in the mass range of [$10-300$] GeV including the case where the dilaton can mix with the SM Higgs boson, leading to an interesting interplay between direct and indirect constraints. A possibility that the dilaton acts as a portal to a dark sector is also considered. As a minimal realization, the dark sector includes a dark photon lighter than the dilaton implying sizeable missing energy signatures. Several simplified benchmark models that can encode different UV completions are discussed, for which we scrutinize the current and future LHC reach.

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A feeble window on leptophilic dark matter

In this paper we study a leptophilic dark matter scenario involving feeble dark matter coupling to the Standard Model (SM) and compressed dark matter-mediator mass spectrum. We consider a simplified model where the SM is extended with one Majorana fermion, the dark matter, and one charged scalar, the mediator, coupling to the SM leptons through a Yukawa interaction. We first discuss the dependence of the dark matter relic abundance on the Yukawa coupling going continuously from freeze-in to freeze-out with an intermediate stage of conversion driven freeze-out. Focusing on the latter, we then exploit the macroscopic decay length of the charged scalar to study the resulting long-lived-particle signatures at collider and to explore the experimental reach on the viable portion of the parameter space.

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New Axion Searches at Flavor Factories

We assess the impact of searches at flavor factories for new neutral resonances that couple to both photons and gluons. These are well motivated by "heavy axion" solutions of the strong CP problem and by frameworks addressing both Dark Matter and the Higgs hierarchy problem. We use LHCb public diphoton data around the Bs mass to derive the current best limit on these resonances for masses between 4.9 and 6.3 GeV. We estimate that a future LHCb dedicated search would test an axion decay constant of O(TeV) for axion masses in the few-to-tens of GeV, being fully complementary to the low mass ATLAS and CMS searches. We also derive the impact of BABAR searches based on Upsilon decays and the future Belle-II reach.

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Learning to pinpoint effective operators at the LHC: a study of the $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ signature

In the context of the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT), we study the LHC sensitivity to four fermion operators involving heavy quarks by employing cross section measurements in the $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ final state. Starting from the measurement of total rates, we progressively exploit kinematical information and machine learning techniques to optimize the projected sensitivity at the end of Run III. Indeed, in final states with high multiplicity containing inter-correlated kinematical information, multi-variate methods provide a robust way of isolating the regions of phase space where the SMEFT contribution is enhanced. We also show that training for multiple output classes allows for the discrimination between operators mediating the production of tops in different helicity states. Our projected sensitivities not only constrain a host of new directions in the SMEFT parameter space but also improve on existing limits demonstrating that, on one hand, $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ production is an indispensable component in a future global fit for top quark interactions in the SMEFT, and on the other, multi-class machine learning algorithms can be a valuable tool for interpreting LHC data in this framework.

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Learning to pinpoint effective operators at the LHC: a study of the $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ signature

In the context of the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT), we study the LHC sensitivity to four fermion operators involving heavy quarks by employing cross section measurements in the $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ final state. Starting from the measurement of total rates, we progressively exploit kinematical information and machine learning techniques to optimize the projected sensitivity at the end of Run III. Indeed, in final states with high multiplicity containing inter-correlated kinematical information, multi-variate methods provide a robust way of isolating the regions of phase space where the SMEFT contribution is enhanced. We also show that training for multiple output classes allows for the discrimination between operators mediating the production of tops in different helicity states. Our projected sensitivities not only constrain a host of new directions in the SMEFT parameter space but also improve on existing limits demonstrating that, on one hand, $t\bar{t}b\bar{b}$ production is an indispensable component in a future global fit for top quark interactions in the SMEFT, and on the other, multi-class machine learning algorithms can be a valuable tool for interpreting LHC data in this framework.

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Singlet-Doublet Dark Matter Freeze-in: LHC displaced signatures versus cosmology

We study the Singlet-Doublet dark matter model in the regime of feeble couplings, where the dark matter abundance is obtained via the freeze-in mechanism. As a consequence of the small couplings, the heavier particles in the model are long-lived with decay length at typical scales of collider experiments. We analyse the collider signatures of the model, characterised by displaced $h$ and $Z$ bosons plus missing momentum, employing current LHC searches for displaced vertices and missing energy to significantly constrain the parameter space of the model. We also take into account the cosmological bounds relevant for our light dark matter candidate arising from Lyman-$α$ forest constraints. Our analysis emphasises the interplay between displaced signatures at the LHC and cosmology for dark matter candidates whose relic abundance is obtained through the freeze-in mechanism.

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New LHC bound on low-mass diphoton resonances

We derive a new bound on diphoton resonances using inclusive diphoton cross section measurements at the LHC, in the so-far poorly constrained mass range between the Upsilon and the SM Higgs. This bound sets the current best limit on axion-like particles that couple to gluons and photons, for masses between 10 and 65 GeV. We also estimate indicative sensitivities of a dedicated diphoton LHC search in the same mass region, at 7, 8 and 14 TeV. As a byproduct of our analysis, we comment on the axion-like particle interpretation of the CMS excesses in low-mass dijet and diphoton searches.

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R-axion at colliders

We study the effective theory of a generic class of hidden sectors where supersymmetry is broken together with an approximate R-symmetry at low energy. The light spectrum contains the gravitino and the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson of the R-symmetry, the R-axion. We derive new model-independent constraints on the R-axion decay constant for R-axion masses ranging from GeV to TeV, which are of relevance for hadron colliders, lepton colliders and B-factories. The current bounds allow for the exciting possibility that the first sign of SUSY will be the R-axion. We point out its most distinctive signals, providing a new experimental handle on the properties of the hidden sector and a solid motivation for searches of axion-like particles.

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Sgoldstino-less inflation and low energy SUSY breaking

We assess the range of validity of sgoldstino-less inflation in a scenario of low energy supersymmetry breaking. We first analyze the consistency conditions that an effective theory of the inflaton and goldstino superfields should satisfy in order to be faithfully described by a sgoldstino-less model. Enlarging the scope of previous studies, we investigate the case where the effective field theory cut-off, and hence also the sgoldstino mass, are inflaton-dependent. We then introduce a UV complete model where one can realize successfully sgoldstino-less inflation and gauge mediation of supersymmetry breaking, combining the alpha-attractor mechanism and a weakly coupled model of spontaneous breaking of supersymmetry. In this class of models we find that, given current limits on superpartner masses, the gravitino mass has a lower bound of the order of the MeV, i.e. we cannot reach very low supersymmetry breaking scales. On the plus side, we recognize that in this framework, one can derive the complete superpartner spectrum as well as compute inflation observables, the reheating temperature, and address the gravitino overabundance problem. We then show that further constraints come from collider results and inflation observables. Their non trivial interplay seems a staple feature of phenomenological studies of supersymmetric inflationary models.

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SUSY Meets Her Twin

We investigate the general structure of mirror symmetry breaking in the Twin Higgs scenario. We show, using the IR effective theory, that a significant gain in fine tuning can be achieved if the symmetry is broken hardly. We emphasize that weakly coupled UV completions can naturally accommodate this scenario. We analyze SUSY UV completions and present a simple Twin SUSY model with a tuning of around 10% and colored superpartners as heavy as 2 TeV. The collider signatures of general Twin SUSY models are discussed with a focus on the extended Higgs sectors.

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Cornering diphoton resonance models at the LHC

We explore the ability of the high luminosity LHC to test models which can explain the 750 GeV diphoton excess. We focus on a wide class of models where a 750 GeV singlet scalar couples to Standard Model gauge bosons and quarks, as well as dark matter. Including both gluon and photon fusion production mechanisms, we show that LHC searches in channels correlated with the diphoton signal will be able to probe wide classes of diphoton models with $\mathcal{L} \sim 3000\, \text{fb}^{-1}$ of data. Furthermore, models in which the scalar is a portal to the dark sector can be cornered with as little as $\mathcal{L} \sim 30\, \text{fb}^{-1}$.

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Di-photon excess illuminates Dark Matter

We propose a simplified model of dark matter with a scalar mediator to accommodate the di-photon excess recently observed by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations. Decays of the resonance into dark matter can easily account for a relatively large width of the scalar resonance, while the magnitude of the total width combined with the constraint on dark matter relic density lead to sharp predictions on the parameters of the Dark Sector. Under the assumption of a rather large width, the model predicts a signal consistent with ~300 GeV dark matter particle in channels with large missing energy. This prediction is not yet severely bounded by LHC Run I searches and will be accessible at the LHC Run II in the jet plus missing energy channel with more luminosity. Our analysis also considers astrophysical constraints, pointing out that future direct detection experiments will be sensitive to this scenario.

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Signatures of top flavour-changing dark matter

We develop the phenomenology of scenarios in which a dark matter candidate interacts with a top quark through flavour-changing couplings, employing a simplified dark matter model with an s-channel vector-like mediator. We study in detail the top-charm flavour-changing interaction, by investigating the single top plus large missing energy signature at the LHC as well as constraints from the relic density and direct and indirect dark matter detection experiments. We present strategies to distinguish between the top-charm and top-up flavour-changing models by taking advantage of the lepton charge asymmetry as well as by using charm-tagging techniques on an extra jet. We also show the complementarity between the LHC and canonical dark matter experiments in exploring the viable parameter space of the models.

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Z-peaked excess in goldstini scenarios

We study a possible explanation of a 3.0 $σ$ excess recently reported by the ATLAS Collaboration in events with Z-peaked same-flavour opposite-sign lepton pair, jets and large missing transverse momentum in the context of gauge-mediated SUSY breaking with more than one hidden sector, the so-called goldstini scenario. In a certain parameter space, the gluino two-body decay chain $\tilde g\to g\tildeχ^0_{1,2}\to gZ\tilde G'$ becomes dominant, where $\tildeχ^0_{1,2}$ and $\tilde G'$ are the Higgsino-like neutralino and the massive pseudo-goldstino, respectively, and gluino pair production can contribute to the signal. We find that a mass spectrum such as $m_{\tilde g}\sim 1000$ GeV, $m_{\tildeχ^0_{1,2}}\sim 800$ GeV and $m_{\tilde G'}\sim 600$ GeV demonstrates the rate and the distributions of the excess, without conflicting with the stringent constraints from jets plus missing energy analyses and with the CMS constraint on the identical final state.

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Singlet-Doublet Model: Dark matter searches and LHC constraints

The Singlet-Doublet model of dark matter is a minimal extension of the Standard Model with dark matter that is a mixture of a singlet and a non-chiral pair of electroweak doublet fermions. The stability of dark matter is ensured by the typical parity symmetry, and, similar to a "Bino-Higgsino" system, the extra matter content improves gauge coupling unification. We revisit the experimental constraints on the Singlet-Doublet dark matter model, combining the most relevant bounds from direct (spin independent and spin dependent) and indirect searches. We show that such comprehensive analysis sets strong constraints on a large part of the 4-dimensional parameter space, closing the notorious "blind-spots" of spin independent direct searches. Our results emphasise the complementarity of direct and indirect searches in probing dark matter models in diverse mass scale regimes. We also discuss the LHC bounds on such scenario, which play a relevant role in the low mass region of the dark matter candidate.

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Signs of Tops from Highly Mixed Stops

Supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model with highly mixed squark flavours beyond minimal flavour violation provide interesting scenarios of new physics, which have so far received limited attention. We propose a calculable realization of such scenarios in models of gauge mediation augmented with an extra interaction between the messengers and the up type squark. We compute the supersymmetric spectrum and analyze the flavour physics constraints on such models. In a simplified model approach, we show that scenarios with maximal squark flavour mixing result in interesting phenomenological signatures at the LHC. We show that the model can be probed up to masses of $m_{\tilde{u}} \lesssim 950$ GeV in the single-top event topology at LHC14 with as little as 300 fb$^{-1}$. The most distinctive signature of highly mixed scenarios, the same sign positive charge di-top, can be probed to comparable squark masses at high luminosity LHC14.

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