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D. Espriu

Publications and source records attributed to D. Espriu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The Linear Collider Facility (LCF) at CERN

In this paper we outline a proposal for a Linear Collider Facility as the next flagship project for CERN. It offers the opportunity for a timely, cost-effective and staged construction of a new collider that will be able to comprehensively map the Higgs boson's properties, including the Higgs field potential, thanks to a large span in centre-of-mass energies and polarised beams. A comprehensive programme to study the Higgs boson and its closest relatives with high precision requires data at centre-of-mass energies from the Z pole to at least 1 TeV. It should include measurements of the Higgs boson in both major production mechanisms, ee -> ZH and ee -> vvH, precision measurements of gauge boson interactions as well as of the W boson, Higgs boson and top-quark masses, measurement of the top-quark Yukawa coupling through ee ->ttH, measurement of the Higgs boson self-coupling through HH production, and precision measurements of the electroweak couplings of the top quark. In addition, ee collisions offer discovery potential for new particles complementary to HL-LHC.

hep-ex

Natural cancellation of powerlike divergences in the SM by dark matter through gauged Higgs portal

We discuss the connection between the vacuum energy problem and the number of dark matter sectors and its relation to the cancellation of quadratic divergences both in the cosmological constant and simultaneously in the polarization tensor renormalizing the Higgs meson mass. In the absence of global supersymmetry, the cancellations of quartic and quadratic divergences call for a dark Higgs scalar sector. We estimate the number of hidden(dark) gauged Higgs field sectors to be equal to five. The masses of dark bosons may be of the order of the Standard Model boson masses. Then the following picture of the Standard Model emerges: 6 leptons and 6 quarks are accompanied by 6 boson sectors, only one of the latter is realized in the conventional Standard Model.

hep-ph

Chiral perturbation theory vs. Linear Sigma Model in a chiral imbalance medium

We compare Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT) and the Linear Sigma Model (LSM) as realizations of low energy QCD for light mesons in a chirally imbalanced medium. The relations between the low-energy constants of the Chiral Lagrangian and the corresponding constants of the Linear Sigma Model are established as well as the expressions for the decay constant of the $π$-meson in the medium and the mass of the $a_0$. In the large $N_c$ count taken from QCD the correspondence of ChPT and LSM is remarkably good and give a solid ground for search of chiral imbalance manifestation in pion physics. A possible experimental detection of chiral imbalance tracks (and therefore a phase with Local Parity Breaking) in the charged pion decays inside the fireball is outlined.

hep-th

Chiral perturbation theory in the environment with chiral imbalance

We discuss the description of chiral imbalance imprint in pion matter. It is based on the Chiral Perturbation Theory supplemented by medium induced chiral chemical potential in the covariant derivative. Such an implementation of chiral imbalance recently was explored in linear sigma model inspired by QCD. The relationship between two sigma models is examined. A possible experimental detection of chiral imbalance in charged pion decays inside the fireball is pointed out.

hep-ph

Chiral imbalance in hadron matter : its manifestation in photon polarization asymmetries

The possibility of the formation of a local parity breaking (LPB) in a quark-hadron medium is examined as a result of chiral symmetry violation, i.e, the appearance of difference between the average densities of right- and left-handed quarks in the fireball after heavy-ion collisions (HIC). Using the effective meson Lagrangian motivated by QCD extended to the chiral medium the properties of light scalar and pseudoscalar mesons are analyzed. It is establish that exotic decays of scalar mesons arise due to mixing of $π$ and $a_0$ vacuum states in the presence of chiral imbalance. The pion electromagnetic formfactor obtains a parity-odd supplement which generates a photon polarization asymmetry in pion polarizability. We conjecture that the above-mentioned properties of LPB can be revealed in experiments on LHC, RHIC, FAIR and NICA accelerators.

hep-ph

Collider phenomenology of vector resonances in WZ scattering processes

We study the production of vector resonances at the LHC via $WZ$ scattering processes and explore the sensitivities to these resonances for the expected future LHC luminosities. The electroweak chiral Lagrangian and the Inverse Amplitude Method (IAM) are used for analyzing a dynamically generated vector resonance, whose origin would be the (hypothetically strong) self interactions of the longitudinal gauge bosons, $W_L$ and $Z_L$. We implement the unitarized scattering amplitudes into a single model, the IAM-MC, that has been adapted to MadGraph~5. It is written in terms of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian and an additional effective Proca Lagrangian for the vector resonances, so that it reproduces the resonant behavior of the IAM and allows us to perform a realistic study of signal versus background at the LHC. We focus on the $pp\to WZjj$ channel, discussing first on the potential of the hadronic and semileptonic channels of the final $WZ$, and next exploring in more detail the clearest signals. These are provided by the leptonic decays of the gauge bosons, leading to a final state with $l^+_1l^-_1l^+_2νjj$, $l=e,μ$, having a very distinctive signature, and showing clearly the emergence of the resonances with masses in the range of $1.5$-$2.5\,{\rm TeV}$, which we have explored.

hep-ph

Resonant $pp\to W^+ Zjj$ events at the LHC from a unitarized study of the EChL

We present a study of the production of vector resonances at the LHC via $W^+Z$ vector boson scattering and explore the sensitivities to these resonances for expected LHC luminosities. We work in the framework of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian, where these resonances can be generated dynamically by unitarizing the scattering amplitudes. We implement all these features into a model adapted for MonteCarlo, the IAM-MC, that allows us to give predictions for the sensitivity to these resonances and to the relevant parameters involved for $pp \to W^+Zjj$, $pp\to \ell_1^+\ell_1^-\ell_2^+νjj$, and $pp \to JJjj$.

hep-ph

Production of vector resonances at the LHC via WZ-scattering: a unitarized EChL analysis

In the present work we study the production of vector resonances at the LHC by means of the vector boson scattering $WZ \to WZ$ and explore the sensitivities to these resonances for the expected future LHC luminosities. We are assuming that these vector resonances are generated dynamically from the self interactions of the longitudinal gauge bosons, $W_L$ and $Z_L$, and work under the framework of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian to describe in a model independent way the supposedly strong dynamics of these modes. The properties of the vector resonances, mass, width and couplings to the $W$ and $Z$ gauge bosons are derived from the inverse amplitude method approach. We implement all these features into a single model, the IAM-MC, adapted for MonteCarlo, built in a Lagrangian language in terms of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian and a chiral Lagrangian for the vector resonances, which mimics the resonant behavior of the IAM and provides unitary amplitudes. The model has been implemented in MadGraph, allowing us to perform a realistic study of the signal versus background events at the LHC. In particular, we have focused our study on the $pp\to WZjj$ type of events, discussing first on the potential of the hadronic and semileptonic channels of the final $WZ$, and next exploring in more detail the clearest signals. These are provided by the leptonic decays of the gauge bosons, leading to a final state with $\ell_1^+\ell_1^-\ell_2^+νjj$, $\ell=e,μ$, having a very distinctive signature, and showing clearly the emergence of the resonances with masses in the range of 1.5-2.5 TeV, which we have explored.

hep-ph

Holographic description of $SO(5) \rightarrow SO(4)$ composite Higgs model

We study a 5D bottom-up holographic model that is expected to describe the dynamics of the minimal composite Higgs model characterized by a $SO(5)\to SO(4)$ global symmetry breaking pattern. We assume that the fundamental degrees of freedom are scalars transforming under some representation of $SO(5)$ and subject to some unspecified strong interactions. The holographic description presented here is inspired by previous studies performed in the context of QCD and it allows for the consideration of spin one and spin zero resonances. The resulting spectrum leads in a natural way to a variety of resonances. Namely, those transforming under the unbroken $SO(4)$ subgroup exhibit an exact degeneracy between the two Regge trajectories of vector and scalar channels, while the resonances with quantum numbers in the $SO(5)/ SO(4)$ coset lie on a trajectory of (heavier) spin one states and a non-degenerated one of scalar resonances where the four lowest lying ones are massless. These correspond to the four Goldstone bosons in 4D associated to the global symmetry breaking pattern. Restrictions derived from the experimental constraints (Higgs couplings, $S$ parameter, etc.) are then implemented and we conclude that the model is able to accommodate vector and scalar resonances with masses in the range 1 TeV to 2 TeV without encountering phenomenological difficulties. Extension to generic models characterized by the breaking pattern $SO(N)\to SO(N^\prime<N)$ is straightforward.

hep-ph

Exotic meson decays in the environment with chiral imbalance

An emergence of Local Parity Breaking (LPB) in central heavy-ion collisions (HIC) at high energies is discussed. LPB in the fireball can be produced by a difference between the number densities of right- and left-handed chiral fermions (Chiral Imbalance) which is implemented by a chiral (axial) chemical potential. The effective meson lagrangian induced by QCD is extended to the medium with Chiral Imbalance and the properties of light scalar and pseudoscalar mesons ($π, a_0$) are analyzed. It is shown that exotic decays of scalar mesons arise as a result of mixing of $ π$ and $ a_0 $ vacuum states in the presence of chiral imbalance. The pion electromagnetic formfactor obtains an unusual parity-odd supplement which generates a photon polarization asymmetry in pion polarizability. We hope that the above pointed indications of LPB can be identified in experiments on LHC, RHIC, CBM FAIR and NICA accelerators.

hep-ph

Decays of light mesons triggered by chiral chemical potential

Light meson ( $π,\ σ,\ a_0$) properties in the environment with chiral imbalance are analyzed with the help of meson effective Lagrangian associated with QCD. New spatial parity violating decays of scalar mesons arise as a result of mixing of $π$ and $a_0$ mesons under influence of chiral charge density. The pion electromagnetic form-factor gets an unusual parity-odd contribution. Pion effective masses depend on their velocities and may vanish in flight. The possible determination of chiral chemical potential in heavy ion collisions based on above mentioned phenomena is discussed.

hep-ph

Handbook of LHC Higgs Cross Sections: 4. Deciphering the Nature of the Higgs Sector

This Report summarizes the results of the activities of the LHC Higgs Cross Section Working Group in the period 2014-2016. The main goal of the working group was to present the state-of-the-art of Higgs physics at the LHC, integrating all new results that have appeared in the last few years. The first part compiles the most up-to-date predictions of Higgs boson production cross sections and decay branching ratios, parton distribution functions, and off-shell Higgs boson production and interference effects. The second part discusses the recent progress in Higgs effective field theory predictions, followed by the third part on pseudo-observables, simplified template cross section and fiducial cross section measurements, which give the baseline framework for Higgs boson property measurements. The fourth part deals with the beyond the Standard Model predictions of various benchmark scenarios of Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, extended scalar sector, Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and exotic Higgs boson decays. This report follows three previous working-group reports: Handbook of LHC Higgs Cross Sections: 1. Inclusive Observables (CERN-2011-002), Handbook of LHC Higgs Cross Sections: 2. Differential Distributions (CERN-2012-002), and Handbook of LHC Higgs Cross Sections: 3. Higgs properties (CERN-2013-004). The current report serves as the baseline reference for Higgs physics in LHC Run 2 and beyond.

hep-ph

Stellar matter with pseudoscalar condensates

In this work we consider how the appearance of gradients of pseudoscalar condensates in dense systems may possibly influence the transport properties of photons in such a medium as well as other thermodynamic characteristics. We adopt the hypothesis that in regions where the pseudoscalar density gradient is large the properties of photons and fermions are governed by the usual lagrangian extended with a Chern-Simons interaction for photons and a constant axial field for fermions. We find that these new pieces in the lagrangian produce non-trivial reflection coefficients both for photons and fermions when entering or leaving a region where the pseudoscalar has a non-zero gradient. A varying pseudoscalar density may also lead to instability of some fermion and boson modes and modify some properties of the Fermi sea. We speculate that some of these modifications could influence the cooling rate of stellar matter (for instance in compact stars) and have other observable consequences. While quantitative results may depend on precise astrophysical details most of the consequences are quite universal and consideration should be given to this possibility.

hep-ph

Effects of pseudoscalar condensation on the cooling of neutron stars

In this work we consider the effect that the appearance of pseudoscalar condensates in a neutron star can have on its cooling rate. We make no particular assumption on the origin and characteristics of these possible condensates and only assume that in regions where the pseudoscalar density varies the propagation of photons is governed by modified Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics. We find that this gives non-trivial reflection coefficients between regions of different pseudoscalar density and may affect very substantially the star cooling rate. While quantitative results do depend on precise details that can only be answered once a proper equation of state is determined, the general trend is quite universal and serious consideration should be given to this possibility.

hep-ph

The masses of vector mesons in holographic QCD at finite chiral chemical potential

Central heavy-ion collisions may induce sizeable fluctuations of the topological charge. This effect is expected to distort the dispersion relation for the hadron masses. We construct a general setup for a compact description of this phenomenon in the framework of bottom-up holographic approach to QCD. A couple of soft wall holographic models are proposed for the vector mesons. The states having different circular polarizations are shown to have different effective mass. The requirement of stability imposes strong constraints on the possible choice of models.

hep-ph

Searching for P- and CP-odd effects in heavy ion collisions

In this talk we will summarize the main results from our recent work concerning the possibility that a new metastable phase occurs in some heavy ion collisions (HIC). This phase would be characterized by the breaking of two characteristic symmetries of strong interactions; namely P and CP. We investigate the experimental consequences of parity breaking in such a situation and propose suitable observables to elucidate the presence this phenomenon.

hep-ph

Spontaneous parity violation in extreme conditions: an effective lagrangian analysis

We investigate how large baryon densities (and possibly high temperatures) may induce spontaneous parity violation in the composite meson sector of vector-like gauge theory (presumably QCD or techni-QCD) . The analysis at intermediate energy scales is done by using an extended $σ$-model lagrangian that includes two scalar and two pseudoscalar multiplets and fulfills low-energy constraints for vector-like gauge theories. We elaborate on a novel mechanism of parity breaking based on the interplay between lightest and heavier meson condensates, which therefore cannot be realized in the simplest $σ$ model. The results are relevant for an idealized homogeneous and infinite nuclear (quark or techniquark) matter where the influence of density can be examined with the help of a constant chemical potential. The model is able to describe satisfactorily the first-order phase transition to stable nuclear matter, and predicts a second-order phase transition to a state where parity is spontaneously broken. We argue that the parity breaking phenomenon is quite generic when a large enough chemical potential is present. Current quark masses are explicitly taken into account in this work and shown not to change the general conclusions.

hep-ph

Dark Sectors and New, Light, Weakly-Coupled Particles

Dark sectors, consisting of new, light, weakly-coupled particles that do not interact with the known strong, weak, or electromagnetic forces, are a particularly compelling possibility for new physics. Nature may contain numerous dark sectors, each with their own beautiful structure, distinct particles, and forces. This review summarizes the physics motivation for dark sectors and the exciting opportunities for experimental exploration. It is the summary of the Intensity Frontier subgroup "New, Light, Weakly-coupled Particles" of the Community Summer Study 2013 (Snowmass). We discuss axions, which solve the strong CP problem and are an excellent dark matter candidate, and their generalization to axion-like particles. We also review dark photons and other dark-sector particles, including sub-GeV dark matter, which are theoretically natural, provide for dark matter candidates or new dark matter interactions, and could resolve outstanding puzzles in particle and astro-particle physics. In many cases, the exploration of dark sectors can proceed with existing facilities and comparatively modest experiments. A rich, diverse, and low-cost experimental program has been identified that has the potential for one or more game-changing discoveries. These physics opportunities should be vigorously pursued in the US and elsewhere.

hep-ph