arXiv subjects

Christine T. H. Davies

Publications and source records attributed to Christine T. H. Davies.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Phenomenology with Lattice NRQCD b Quarks

The HPQCD collaboration has used radiatively-improved NonRelativistic QCD (NRQCD) for $b$ quarks in bottomonium to determine the decay rate of $Υ$ and $Υ^\prime$ mesons to leptons in lattice QCD. Using time-moments of vector bottomonium current-current correlators, we are also able to determine the $b$ quark mass in the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme. We use the same NRQCD $b$ quarks and Highly Improved Staggered Quark (HISQ) light quarks -- with masses down to their physical values -- to give a complete picture of heavy-light meson decay constants including those for vector mesons. We also study the semileptonic $B\rightarrowπ\ellν$ decay at zero recoil to show that lattice QCD is consistent with the soft pion theorem for this decay: $f_0(q^2_{\mathrm{max}})=f_B/f_π$ in the massless pion limit. Finally, we present preliminary results for the $B_c \rightarrow η_c \ell ν$ semileptonic decay form factors. This is a showcase for the comparison of results for NRQCD $b$ quarks with those from HISQ $b$ quarks (both with HISQ $c$ quarks). We give the first 3-point results from our `heavy HISQ' programme, which will allow us to improve the normalisation of NRQCD-HISQ currents for other calculations.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

Hindered M1 Radiative Decay of $Υ(2S)$ from Lattice NRQCD

We present a calculation of the hindered M$1$ $Υ(2S) \to η_b(1S) γ$ decay rate using lattice non-relativistic QCD. The calculation includes spin-dependent relativistic corrections to the NRQCD action through $\mathcal{O}(v^6)$ in the quark's relative velocity, relativistic corrections to the leading order current which mediates the transition through the quark's magnetic moment, radiative corrections to the leading spin-magnetic coupling and for the first time a full error budget. We also use gluon field ensembles at multiple lattice spacing values, all of which include $u$, $d$, $s$ and $c$ quark vacuum polarisation. Our result for the branching fraction is $\mathcal{B}(Υ(2S)\toη_b(1S)γ) = 5.4(1.8)\times 10^{-4} $, which agrees with the current experimental value.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2014

The strange and charm quark contributions to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon from lattice QCD

We describe a new technique (published in Phys. Rev. D89 114501) to determine the contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon coming from the hadronic vacuum polarisation using lattice QCD. Our method uses Padé approximants to reconstruct the Adler function from its derivatives at $q^2=0$. These are obtained simply and accurately from time-moments of the vector current-current correlator at zero spatial momentum. We test the method using strange quark correlators calculated on MILC Collaboration's $n_f = 2+1+1$ HISQ ensembles at multiple values of the lattice spacing, multiple volumes and multiple light sea quark masses (including physical pion mass configurations). We find the (connected) contribution to the anomalous moment from the strange quark vacuum polarisation to be $a^s_μ=53.41(59)\times 10^{-10}$, and the contribution from charm quarks to be $a^c_μ=14.42(39)\times 10^{-10}$ - 1% accuracy is achieved for the strange quark contribution. The extension of our method to the light quark contribution and to that from the quark-line disconnected diagram is straightforward.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

The B and B_s Meson Decay Constants from Lattice QCD

We present a new determination of the B and B_s meson decay constants using NRQCD b-quarks, HISQ light and strange valence quarks and the MILC collaboration N_f=2+1 lattices. The new calculations improve on HPQCD's earlier work with NRQCD b-quarks by replacing AsqTad with HISQ valence quarks, by including a more chiral MILC fine ensemble in the analysis, and by employing better tuned quark masses and overall scale. We find f_B = 0.191(9)GeV, f_{B_s} = 0.228(10)GeV and f_{B_s}/f_B = 1.188(18). Combining the new value for f_{B_s}/f_B with a recent very precise determination of the B_s meson decay constant based on HISQ b-quarks, f_{B_s} = 0.225(4)GeV, leads to f_B = 0.189(4)GeV. With errors of just 2.1% this represents the most precise f_B available today.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

|V_cd| from D Meson Leptonic Decays

We present an update of the D meson decay constant f_D using the Highly Improved Staggered Quark (HISQ) action for valence charm and light quarks on MILC N_f = 2+1 lattices. The new determination incorporates HPQCD's improved scale r_1^{N_f = 2+1} = 0.3133(23) fm, accurately retuned bare charm quark masses and data from an ensemble that is more chiral than in our previous calculations. We find f_D = 208.3(3.4) MeV. Combining the new f_D with D -> μν branching fraction data from CLEO-c, we extract the CKM matrix element |V_cd| = 0.223(10)_{exp.}(4)_{lat.}. This value is in excellent agreement with |V_cd| from D semileptonic decays and from neutrino scattering experiments and has comparable total errors. We determine the ratio between semileptonic form factor and decay constant and find [f^{D -> π}_+(0) / f_D ]_{lat.} = 3.20(15) GeV^{-1} to be compared with the experimental value of [f^{D -> π}_+(0) / f_D ]_{exp.} = 3.19(18) GeV^{-1}. Finally, we mention recent preliminary but already more accurate D -> μν branching fraction measurements from BES III and discuss their impact on precision |V_cd| determinations in the future.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2011

The D to K and D to pi semileptonic decay form factors from Lattice QCD

We present a new and very high statistics study of D and D_s semileptonic decay form factors on the lattice. We work with MILC N_f=2+1 lattices and use the Highly Improved Staggered Action (HISQ) for both the charm and the light valence quarks. We use both scalar and vector currents to determine the form factors f_0(q^2) and f_+(q^2) for a range of D and D_s form factors including those for D to pi and D to K semileptonic decays. By using a phased boundary condition we are able to tune accurately to q^2=0. We also compare the shape in q^2 to that from experiment. We show that the form factors are very insensitive to the spectator quark: D to K and D_s to eta_s form factors are essentially the same, and the same is true for D to pi and D_s to K. This has important implications when considering the corresponding B/B_s processes.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2011

Staggered fermions, zero modes, and flavor-singlet mesons

We examine the taste structure of eigenvectors of the staggered-fermion Dirac operator. We derive a set of conditions on the eigenvectors of modes with small eigenvalues (near-zero modes), such that staggered fermions reproduce the 't Hooft vertex in the continuum limit. We also show that, assuming these conditions, the correlators of flavor-singlet mesons are free of contributions singular in $1/m$, where $m$ is the quark mass. This conclusion holds also when a single flavor of sea quark is represented by the fourth root of the staggered-fermion determinant. We then test numerically, using the HISQ action, whether these conditions hold on realistic lattice gauge fields. We find that the needed structure does indeed emerge.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2011

$D \rightarrow π, l ν$ Semileptonic Decays, $|V_{cd}|$ and 2$^{nd}$ Row Unitarity from Lattice QCD

We present a new calculation of the $D \rightarrow π, l ν$ semileptonic form factor $f^{D \rightarrow π}_+(q^2)$ at $q^2 = 0$ based on HISQ charm and light valence quarks on MILC $N_f = 2 +1$ lattices. Using methods developed recently for HPQCD's study of $D \rightarrow K, l ν$ decays, we find $f^{D \rightarrow π}_+(0) = 0.666(29)$. This signifies a better than factor of two improvement in errors for this quantity compared to previous calculations. Combining the new result with CLEO-c branching fraction data, we extract the CKM matrix element $|V_{cd}| = 0.225(6)_{exp.}(10)_{lat.}$, where the first error comes from experiment and the second from theory. With a total error of $\sim5.3$\% the accuracy of direct determination of $|V_{cd}|$ from $D$ semileptonic decays has become comparable to (and in good agreement with) that from neutrino scattering. We also check for second row unitarity using this new $|V_{cd}|$, HPQCD's earlier $|V_{cs}|$ and $|V_{cb}|$ from the Fermilab Lattice \& MILC collaborations. We find $|V_{cd}|^2 + |V_{cs}|^2 + |V_{cb}|^2 = 0.976(50)$, improving on the current PDG2010 value.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2010

$D \rightarrow K, l ν$ Semileptonic Decay Scalar Form Factor and $|V_{cs}|$ from Lattice QCD

We present a new study of D semileptonic decays on the lattice which employs the Highly Improved Staggered Quark (HISQ) action for both the charm and the light valence quarks. We work with MILC unquenched $N_f = 2 + 1$ lattices and determine the scalar form factor $f_0(q^2)$ for $D \rightarrow K, l ν$ semileptonic decays. The form factor is obtained from a scalar current matrix element that does not require any operator matching. We develop a new approach to carrying out chiral/continuum extrapolations of $f_0(q^2)$. The method uses the kinematic "$z$" variable instead of $q^2$ or the kaon energy $E_K$ and is applicable over the entire physical $q^2$ range. We find $f^{D \rightarrow K}_0(0) \equiv f^{D \rightarrow K}_+(0) = 0.747(19)$ in the chiral plus continuum limit and hereby improve the theory error on this quantity by a factor of $\sim$4 compared to previous lattice determinations. Combining the new theory result with recent experimental measurements of the product $f^{D \rightarrow K}_+(0) * |V_{cs}| $ from BaBar and CLEO-c leads to the most precise direct determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{cs}| $ to date, $|V_{cs}| = 0.961(11)(24)$, where the first error comes from experiment and the second is the lattice QCD theory error. We calculate the ratio $f^{D \rightarrow K}_+(0)/f_{D_s}$ and find $2.986 \pm 0.087$ GeV$^{-1}$ and show that this agrees with experiment.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2010

Heavy-light current-current correlators

The current-current correlator method has been used successfully to obtain very accurate results for quark masses and the coupling alpha_s. The calculations were done using Highly Improved Staggered Quarks (HISQ) and heavy-heavy meson correlators. We now extend this work to the significantly more challenging heavy-light case, reporting the first results here. The aim is to determine nonperturbative Z factors for NRQCD heavy-light currents, but first we test the method in the HISQ case where Z=1.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2010

Precise B, B_s and B_c meson spectroscopy from full lattice QCD

We give the first accurate results for $B$ and $B_s$ meson masses from lattice QCD including the effect of $u$, $d$ and $s$ sea quarks, and we improve an earlier value for the $B_c$ meson mass. By using the Highly Improved Staggered Quark action for $u/d$, $s$ and $c$ quarks and NRQCD for the $b$ quarks, we are able to achieve an accuracy in the masses of around 10 MeV. Our results are: $m_B$ = 5.291(18) GeV, $m_{B_s}$ = 5.363(11) GeV and $m_{B_c}$ = 6.280(10) GeV. Note that all QCD parameters here are tuned from other calculations, so these are parameter free tests of QCD against experiment. We also give scalar, $B_{s0}^*$, and axial vector, $B_{s1}$, meson masses. We find these to be slightly below threshold for decay to $BK$ and $B^*K$ respectively.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2009

Radiative corrections to the m(oving)NRQCD action and heavy-light operators

Rare decays of B mesons, such as B \to K^*γand B\to K^{(*)}\ell^+\ell^- are loop suppressed in the Standard Model and sensitive to new physics. The final state meson in heavy-light decays at large recoil has sizeable momentum in the rest frame of the decaying meson. To reduce the resulting discretization errors we formulate the nonrelativistic heavy quark action in a moving frame. We discuss the perturbative renormalization of the leading order heavy-light operators in the resulting theory which is known as m(oving)NRQCD. We also present radiative corrections to the NRQCD action computed using automated lattice perturbation theory. By combining this technique with high-beta simulations in the weak coupling regime of the theory higher order loop corrections can be calculated very efficiently.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2009

Neutral B Meson Mixing in Unquenched Lattice QCD

We study $B_d$ and $B_s$ mixing in unquenched lattice QCD employing the MILC collaboration gauge configurations that include u, d, and s sea quarks based on the improved staggered quark (AsqTad) action and a highly improved gluon action. We implement the valence light quarks also with the AsqTad action and use the nonrelativistic NRQCD action for the valence b quark. We calculate hadronic matrix elements necessary for extracting CKM matrix elements from experimental measurements of mass differences $ΔM_d$ and $ΔM_s$. We find $ξ= f_{B_s} \sqrt{\hat{B}_{B_s}} / f_{B_d} \sqrt{\hat{B}_{B_d}} = 1.258(33)$, $f_{B_d} \sqrt{\hat{B}_{B_d}} = 216(15)$ MeV and $f_{B_s} \sqrt{\hat{B}_{B_s}} = 266(18)$ MeV. We also update previous results for decay constants and obtain $f_{B_d} = 190(13)$ MeV, $f_{B_s} = 231(15)$ MeV and $f_{B_s}/f_{B_d} = 1.226(26)$. The new lattice results lead to updated values for the ratio of CKM matrix elements $|V_{td}|/|V_{ts}|$ and for the Standard Model prediction for $Br(B_s \rightarrow μ^+ μ^-)$ with reduced errors. We determine $|V_{td}|/|V_{ts}| = 0.214(1)(5)$ and $Br(B_s \rightarrow μ^+ μ^-) = 3.19(19) \times 10^{-9}$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2007

B_s and B_d mixing in full lattice QCD using NRQCD b quarks

We give a progress report on studies of B_s and B_d mixing with valence NRQCD b quarks and asqtad light quarks on the MILC configurations including the effect of 2+1 flavours of sea quarks. We explore methods for reducing statistical and systematic errors in the ratio ξ= f_{B_s}\sqrt{B_{B_s}}/f_{B_d}\sqrt{B_{B_d}}.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2007

$B^0_s - \bar{B^0_s}$ Mixing Parameters from Unquenched Lattice QCD

We determine hadronic matrix elements relevant for the mass and width differences, $ΔM_s$ & $ΔΓ_s$ in the $B^0_s - \bar{B^0_s}$ meson system using fully unquenched lattice QCD. We employ the MILC collaboration gauge configurations that include $u$, $d$ and $s$ sea quarks using the improved staggered quark (AsqTad) action and a highly improved gluon action. We implement the valence $s$ quark also with the AsqTad action and use Nonrelativistic QCD for the valence $b$ quark. For the nonperturbative QCD input into the Standard Model expression for $ΔM_s$ we find $f_{B_s} \sqrt{\hat{B}_{B_s}} = 0.281(21)$GeV. Results for four-fermion operator matrix elements entering Standard Model formulas for $ΔΓ_s$ are also presented.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2007

B Meson Semileptonic Form Factors from Unquenched Lattice QCD

The semileptonic process, B --> πl ν, is studied via full QCD Lattice simulations. We use unquenched gauge configurations generated by the MILC collaboration. These include the effect of vacuum polarization from three quark flavors: the $s$ quark and two very light flavors ($u/d$) of variable mass allowing extrapolations to the physical chiral limit. We employ Nonrelativistic QCD to simulate the $b$ quark and a highly improved staggered quark action for the light sea and valence quarks. We calculate the form factors $f_+(q^2)$ and $f_0(q^2)$ in the chiral limit for the range 16 GeV$^2 \leq q^2 < q^2_{max}$ and obtain $\int^{q^2_{max}}_{16 GeV^2} [dΓ/dq^2] dq^2 / |v_{ub}|^2 = 1.46(35) ps^{-1}$. Combining this with a preliminary average by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG'05) of recent branching fraction data for exclusive B semileptonic decays from the BaBar, Belle and CLEO collaborations, leads to $|V_{ub}| = 4.22(30)(51) \times 10^{-3}$. PLEASE NOTE APPENDIX B with an ERRATUM, to appear in Physical Review D, to the published version of this e-print (Phys.Rev.D 73, 074502 (2006)). Results for the form factor $f_+(q^2)$ in the chiral limit have changed significantly. The last two sentences in this abstract should now read; "We calculate the form factor $f_+(q^2)$ and $f_0(q^2)$ in the chiral limit for the range 16 Gev$^2 \leq q^2 < q^2_{max}$ and obtain $\int^{q^2_{max}}_{16 GeV^2} [dΓ/dq^2] dq^2 / |V_{ub}|^2 = 2.07(57)ps^{-1}$. Combining this with a preliminary average by the Heavy Flavor Averagibg Group (HFAG'05) of recent branching fraction data for exclusive B semileptonic decays from the BaBar, Belle and CLEO collaborations, leads to $|V_{ub}| = 3.55(25)(50) \times 10^{-3}$."

hep-lat↗

arXiv2005

High-precision determination of the light-quark masses from realistic lattice QCD

Three-flavor lattice QCD simulations and two-loop perturbation theory are used to make the most precise determination to date of the strange-, up-, and down-quark masses, $m_s$, $m_u$, and $m_d$, respectively. Perturbative matching is required in order to connect the lattice-regularized bare- quark masses to the masses as defined in the \msbar scheme, and this is done here for the first time at next-to-next-to leading (or two-loop) order. The bare-quark masses required as input come from simulations by the MILC collaboration of a highly-efficient formalism (using so-called ``staggered'' quarks), with three flavors of light quarks in the Dirac sea; these simulations were previously analyzed in a joint study by the HPQCD and MILC collaborations, using degenerate $u$ and $d$ quarks, with masses as low as $m_s/8$, and two values of the lattice spacing, with chiral extrapolation/interpolation to the physical masses. With the new perturbation theory presented here, the resulting \msbar\ masses are $m^\msbar_s(2 {GeV}) = 87(0)(4)(4)(0)$ MeV, and $\hat m^\msbar(2 {GeV}) = 3.2(0)(2)(2)(0)$ MeV, where $\hat m = \sfrac12 (m_u + m_d)$ is the average of the $u$ and $d$ masses. The respective uncertainties are from statistics, simulation systematics, perturbation theory, and electromagnetic/isospin effects. The perturbative errors are about a factor of two smaller than in an earlier study using only one-loop perturbation theory. Using a recent determination of the ratio $m_u/m_d = 0.43(0)(1)(0)(8)$ due to the MILC collaboration, these results also imply $m^\msbar_u(2 {GeV}) = 1.9(0)(1)(1)(2)$ MeV and $m^\msbar_d(2 {GeV}) = 4.4(0)(2)(2)(2)$ MeV. A technique for estimating the next order in the perturbative expansion is also presented, which uses input from simulations at more than one lattice spacing.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

The B Meson Decay Constant from Unquenched Lattice QCD

We present determinations of the B meson decay constant f_B and of the ratio f_{B_s}/f_B using the MILC collaboration unquenched gauge configurations which include three flavors of light sea quarks. The mass of one of the sea quarks is kept around the strange quark mass, and we explore a range in masses for the two lighter sea quarks down to m_s/8. The heavy b quark is simulated using Nonrelativistic QCD, and both the valence and sea light quarks are represented by the highly improved (AsqTad) staggered quark action. The good chiral properties of the latter action allow for a much smoother chiral extrapolation to physical up and down quarks than has been possible in the past. We find f_B = 216(9)(19)(4) (6) MeV and f_{B_s} /f_B = 1.20(3)(1).

hep-lat↗