arXiv subjects

David M. Straub

Publications and source records attributed to David M. Straub.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

$B\to V\ell^+\ell^-$ in the Standard Model from Light-Cone Sum Rules

We present $B_q\toρ$, $B_q\toω$, $B_q\to K^*$, $B_s\to K^*$ and $B_s\to ϕ$ form factors from light-cone sum rules (LCSR) at $\mathcal{O}(α_s)$ for twist-2 and 3 and $\mathcal{O}(α_s^0)$ for twist-4 with updated hadronic input parameters. Three asymptotic light-cone distribution amplitudes of twist-$4$ (and $5$) are determined, necessary for the form factors to obey the equations of motion. It is argued that the latter constrain the uncertainty of tensor-to-vector form factor ratios thereby improving the prediction of zeros of helicity amplitudes of major importance for $B\to K^*\ell\ell$ angular observables. We provide easy-to-use fits to the LCSR results, including the full error correlation matrix, in all modes at low $q^2$ as well as combined fits to LCSR and lattice results covering the entire kinematic range for $B_q\to K^*$, $B_s\to K^*$ and $B_s\to ϕ$. The error correlation matrix avoids the problem of overestimating the uncertainty in phenomenological applications. Using the new form factors and recent computations of non-factorisable contributions we provide Standard Model predictions for $B\to K^*γ$ as well as $B\to K^*\ell^+\ell^-$ and $B_s\toϕμ^+μ^-$ at low dilepton invariant mass. Employing our $B \to (ρ,ω) $ form factor results we extract the CKM element $|V_\mathrm{ub}|$ from the semileptonic decays $B\to(ρ,ω) \ellν$ and find good agreement with other exclusive determinations.

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arXiv2015

Direct and indirect signals of natural composite Higgs models

We present a comprehensive numerical analysis of a four-dimensional model with the Higgs as a composite pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson that features a calculable Higgs potential and protective custodial and flavour symmetries to reduce electroweak fine-tuning. We employ a novel numerical technique that allows us for the first time to study constraints from radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, Higgs physics, electroweak precision tests, flavour physics, and direct LHC bounds on fermion and vector boson resonances in a single framework. We consider four different flavour symmetries in the composite sector, one of which we show to not be viable anymore in view of strong precision constraints. In the other cases, all constraints can be passed with a sub-percent electroweak fine-tuning. The models can explain the excesses recently observed in $WW$, $WZ$, $Wh$ and $\ell^+\ell^-$ resonance searches by ATLAS and CMS and the anomalies in angular observables and branching ratios of rare semi-leptonic $B$ decays observed by LHCb. Solving the $B$ physics anomalies predicts the presence of a dijet or $t\bar t$ resonance around 1 TeV just below the sensitivity of LHC run 1. We discuss the prospects to probe the models at run 2 of the LHC. As a side product, we identify several gaps in the searches for vector-like quarks at hadron colliders, that could be closed by reanalyzing existing LHC data.

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arXiv2015

Dipole operator constraints on composite Higgs models

Flavour- and CP-violating electromagnetic or chromomagnetic dipole operators in the quark sector are generated in a large class of new physics models and are strongly constrained by measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment and observables sensitive to flavour-changing neutral currents, such as the $B\to X_sγ$ branching ratio and $ε'/ε$. After a model-independent discussion of the relevant constraints, we analyze these effects in models with partial compositeness, where the quarks get their masses by mixing with vector-like composite fermions. These scenarios can be seen as the low-energy limit of composite Higgs or warped extra dimensional models. We study different choices for the electroweak representations of the composite fermions motivated by electroweak precision tests as well as different flavour structures, including flavour anarchy and $U(3)^3$ or $U(2)^3$ flavour symmetries in the strong sector. In models with "wrong-chirality" Yukawa couplings, we find a strong bound from the neutron electric dipole moment, irrespective of the flavour structure. In the case of flavour anarchy, we also find strong bounds from flavour-violating dipoles, while these constraints are mild in the flavour-symmetric models.

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arXiv2015

New physics in $b\to s$ transitions after LHC run 1

We present results of global fits of all relevant experimental data on rare $b \to s$ decays. We observe significant tensions between the Standard Model predictions and the data. After critically reviewing the possible sources of theoretical uncertainties, we find that within the Standard Model, the tensions could be explained if there are unaccounted hadronic effects much larger than our estimates. Assuming hadronic uncertainties are estimated in a sufficiently conservative way, we discuss the implications of the experimental results on new physics, both model independently as well as in the context of the minimal supersymmetric standard model and models with flavour-changing $Z'$ bosons. We discuss in detail the violation of lepton flavour universality as hinted by the current data and make predictions for additional lepton flavour universality tests that can be performed in the future. We find that the ratio of the forward-backward asymmetries in $B \to K^* μ^+μ^-$ and $B \to K^* e^+e^-$ at low dilepton invariant mass is a particularly sensitive probe of lepton flavour universality and allows to distinguish between different new physics scenarios that give the best description of the current data.

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arXiv2015

Violation of lepton flavour universality in composite Higgs models

We investigate whether the $2.6σ$ deviation from lepton flavour universality in $B^+\to K^+\ell^+\ell^-$ decays recently observed at the LHCb experiment can be explained in minimal composite Higgs models. We show that a visible departure from universality is indeed possible if left-handed muons have a sizable degree of compositeness. Constraints from $Z$-pole observables are avoided by a custodial protection of the muon coupling. The deficit in the invisible $Z$ width at LEP is explained in the same region of parameters.

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arXiv2015

Implications of $b\to s$ measurements

The recent updated angular analysis of the $B\to K^*μ^+μ^-$ decay by the LHCb collaboration is interpreted by performing a global fit to all relevant measurements probing the flavour-changing neutral current $b\to sμ^+μ^-$ transition. A significant tension with Standard Model expectations is found. A solution with new physics modifying the Wilson coefficient $C_9$ is preferred over the Standard Model by $3.7σ$. The tension even increases to $4.2σ$ including also $b\to se^+e^-$ measurements and assuming new physics to affect the muonic modes only. Other new physics benchmarks are discussed as well. The $q^2$ dependence of the shift in $C_9$ is suggested as a means to identify the origin of the tension - new physics or an unexpectedly large hadronic effect.

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arXiv2015

Summary of the CKM 2014 working group on rare decays

Rare flavour changing neutral current decays of strange, charm and beauty hadrons have been instrumental in building up a picture of flavour in the Standard Model. Increasingly precise measurements of these decays allow to search for deviations from predictions of the Standard Model that would be associated to contributions from new particles that might arise in extensions of the Standard Model. In this summary, an overview of recent experimental results and theoretical predictions is given. The new physics sensitivity and prospects for the different observables is also addressed.

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arXiv2014

$B\to K^{(*)}ν\barν$ decays in the Standard Model and beyond

We present an analysis of the rare exclusive $B$ decays $B\to Kν\barν$ and $B\to K^{*}ν\barν$ within the Standard Model (SM), in a model-independent manner, and in a number of new physics (NP) models. Combining new form factor determinations from lattice QCD with light-cone sum rule results and including complete two-loop electroweak corrections to the SM Wilson coefficient, we obtain the SM predictions $\text{BR}(B^+\to K^+ν\barν) = (4.0 \pm 0.5) \times 10^{-6}$ and $\text{BR}(B^0\to K^{* 0}ν\barν) = (9.2\pm1.0) \times 10^{-6}$, more precise and more robust than previous estimates. Beyond the SM, we make use of an effective theory with dimension-six operators invariant under the SM gauge symmetries to relate NP effects in $b\to sν\barν$ transitions to $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions and use the wealth of experimental data on $B\to K^{(*)}\ell^+\ell^-$ and related modes to constrain NP effects in $B\to K^{(*)}ν\barν$. We then consider several specific NP models, including $Z'$ models, the MSSM, models with partial compositeness, and leptoquark models, demonstrating that the correlations between $b\to sν\barν$ observables among themselves and with $B_s\toμ^+μ^-$ and $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions offer powerful tests of NP with new right-handed couplings and non-MFV interactions.

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arXiv2014

Flavour physics and flavour symmetries after the first LHC phase

Based on flavour symmetries only, there are two ways to give rise to an effective description of flavour physics in the quark sector close to the CKM picture: one is based on $U(3)_q\times U(3)_u\times U(3)_d$ (or equivalent) and the other on $U(2)_q\times U(2)_u\times U(2)_d$ (or equivalent). In this context we analyze the current status of flavour physics measurements and we compare their impact, in the specific case of supersymmetry, with the direct searches of new particles at the LHC, present or foreseen.

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arXiv2013

Vector-like leptons: Higgs decays and collider phenomenology

We study the impact of heavy vector-like leptons on several observables in collider and low-energy physics. These states, present in many well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model, can induce lepton flavour violation and non-standard Higgs decays. We study these effects in an effective model inspired by the composite Higgs scenario. After deriving bounds on the mass and production cross-section of the vector-like states using recent LHC data on multilepton searches, we discuss the modification of the Higgs decays to dilepton, diphoton and $Zγ$ final states as well as low-energy observables like radiative lepton decays, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and the electric dipole moment of the electron. We find several interesting correlations. In particular, we show that branching fractions of lepton flavour-violating Higgs decays at an observable level are prohibited due to the strong bounds on the radiative lepton decays.

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arXiv2013

New physics in $B \to K^*μμ$?

Recent experimental results on angular observables in the rare decay $B\to K^*μ^+μ^-$ show significant deviations from Standard Model predictions. We investigate the possibility that these deviations are due to new physics. Combining all relevant data on $b \to s$ rare decays, we show that a consistent explanation of most anomalies can be obtained by new physics contributing simultaneously to the semi-leptonic vector operator $O_9$ and its chirality-flipped counterpart $O_9'$. A partial explanation is possible with new physics in $O_9$ or in dipole operators only. We study in detail the implications for models of new physics, in particular the minimal supersymmetric standard model, models with partial compositeness and generic models with flavour-changing $Z^\prime$ bosons. In all considered models, contributions to $B\to K^*μ^+μ^-$ of the preferred size imply a spectrum close to the TeV scale. We stress that measurements of CP asymmetries in $B\to K^*μ^+μ^-$ could provide valuable information to narrow down possible new physics explanations.

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arXiv2013

Anatomy of flavour-changing Z couplings in models with partial compositeness

In models with partially composite quarks, the couplings of quarks to the Z boson generically receive non-universal corrections that are not only constrained by electroweak precision tests but also lead to flavour-changing neutral currents at tree level. The impact of these flavour-changing couplings on rare K and B decays is studied in two-site models for three scenarios: an anarchic strong sector with two different choices of fermion representations both leading to a custodial protection of the Z->bb coupling, and for a strong sector invariant under a U(2)^3 flavour symmetry. In the complete numerical analysis, all relevant constraints from Delta(F)=2 processes are taken into account. In all scenarios, visible effects in rare K and B decays like K->pi nu anti-nu, B(s)->mu+mu- and B->K*mu+mu- are possible that can be scrutinized experimentally in the near future. Characteristic correlations between observables allow to distinguish the different cases. To sample the large parameter space of the anarchic models, a new method is presented that allows larger statistics than conventional approaches.

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arXiv2013

Constraints on new physics from rare (semi-)leptonic B decays

The measurements of rare leptonic and semi-leptonic B decays performed at the LHC, not showing any significant deviations from the Standard Model expectations, put strong constraints on new physics. A brief account of the impact of recent measurements is given. As a concrete example, models with partial compositeness are discussed, where tree-level flavour-changing Z couplings lead to potentially visibile effects in rare B (and K) decays that will be scrutinized experimentally in the near future.

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arXiv2012

A 125 GeV composite Higgs boson versus flavour and electroweak precision tests

A composite Higgs boson of 125 GeV mass, only mildly fine-tuned, requires top partners with a semi-perturbative coupling and a mass not greater than about a TeV. We analyze the strong constraints on such picture arising from flavour and electroweak precision tests in models of partial compositeness. We consider different representations for the composite fermions and compare the case of an anarchic flavour structure to models with a U(3)^3 and U(2)^3 flavour symmetry. Although non trivially, some models emerge that look capable of accommodating a 125 GeV Higgs boson with top partners in an interesting mass range for discovery at the LHC as well as associated flavour signals.

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arXiv2012

Cornering New Physics in b --> s Transitions

We derive constraints on Wilson coefficients of dimension-six effective operators probing the b --> s transition, using recent improved measurements of the rare decays Bs --> mu+mu-, B --> K mu+mu- and B --> K* mu+mu- and including all relevant observables in inclusive and exclusive decays. We consider operators present in the SM as well as their chirality-flipped counterparts and scalar operators. We find good agreement with the SM expectations. Compared to the situation before winter 2012, we find significantly more stringent constraints on the chirality-flipped coefficients due to complementary constraints from B --> K mu+mu- and B --> K* mu+mu- and due to the LHCb measurement of the angular observable S_3 in the latter decay. We also list the full set of observables sensitive to new physics in the low recoil region of B --> K* mu+mu-.

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arXiv2012

Anthropic solution to the magnetic muon anomaly: the charged see-saw

We present models of new physics that can explain the muon g-2 anomaly in accord with with the assumption that the only scalar existing at the weak scale is the Higgs, as suggested by anthropic selection. Such models are dubbed "charged see-saw" because the muon mass term is mediated by heavy leptons. The electroweak contribution to the g-2 gets modified by order one factors, giving an anomaly of the same order as the observed hint, which is strongly correlated with a modification of the Higgs coupling to the muon.

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arXiv2012

Less Minimal Flavour Violation

We consider the approximate U(2)^3 flavour symmetry exhibited by the quark sector of the Standard Model and all its possible breaking terms appearing in the quark Yukawa couplings. Taking an Effective Field Theory point of view, we determine the current bounds on these parameters, assumed to control the breaking of flavour in a generic extension of the Standard Model at a reference scale Lambda. In particular, a significant bound from epsilon'/epsilon is derived, which is relevant to Minimal Flavour Violation as well. In the up-quark sector, the recently observed CP violation in D -> pi+ pi-, K+ K- decays might be accounted for in this generic framework, consistently with any other constraint.

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arXiv2012

Overview of constraints on new physics in rare B decays

Recent improved measurements of B decays probing the b->s flavour-changing neutral current have put strong constraints on flavour violation beyond the Standard Model. This talk reviews a model-independent analysis of these decays, which allows to put constraints on dimension-six Delta(F)=1 effective operators. These constraints can be used in turn to test the flavour structure of any theory beyond the SM.

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