arXiv subjects

Emanuele Mereghetti

Publications and source records attributed to Emanuele Mereghetti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Lattice QCD calculation of the pion-nucleon coupling $\bar{g}_0$ induced by the QCD $Θ$-term

We present lattice QCD results for the CP violating pion-nucleon coupling $\bar{g}_0$ induced by the QCD $\overlineΘ$ term from the analysis of three 2+1+1-flavor ensembles generated with highly improved staggered quarks (HISQ) by the MILC collaboration. These ensembles are at lattice spacing $a\approx 0.09~\text{fm}$ and pion masses of 313, 226 and 138 MeV, respectively. The coupling $\bar{g}_0$ is extracted in two ways. First, from the matrix element of the correlation between the pesudoscalar current and the topological charge evaluated between the nucleon ground state. The data for correlation functions with both the pseudoscalar and axial vector exhibit large contamination from the $Nπ$ excited state. We show that these can be controlled at the leading order using chiral perturbation theory ($χ$PT) and the axial Ward identity (AWI, also called the partially conserved axial current (PCAC) relation). The result after removing the $Nπ$ contamination and extrapolating to the physical pion mass is, however, noisy: $\bar{g}_0/(2F_π)=-7(63)\times 10^{-3} \,{\overlineΘ}$. The more precise result $\bar{g}_0/(2F_π)=17.4(1.9)\times 10^{-3} \,{\overlineΘ}$ is obtained using low energy effective field theory methods or equivalently the AWI. Since contamination from the $Nπ$ excited states arises in the calculation of many nucleon matrix elements, we give an extended discussion on them and the use of the AWI for controlling them in the calculation of $\bar g_0$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2026

Muon Capture on the Proton with Heavy-Light Currents

We construct a non-relativistic Lagrangian that describes muon-proton electroweak interactions. We determine the leading order coefficients by matching onto the theory with non-relativistic nucleons and relativistic leptons. The most impactful $\mathcal{O}(α)$ corrections to those coefficients are determined by matching the non-relativistic amplitudes for capture of a free muon on a proton to the corresponding relativistic one. We use our non-relativistic effective field theory framework to calculate the capture rate in muonic hydrogen, thereby including radiative corrections of order $α$ and up to order $1/m_μ$. Using results for the Fermi coupling previously derived in EFT, we obtain singlet and triplet capture rates of $Γ({}^1 S_0) = 724.07 \pm 5.45~\rm{s}^{-1}$ and $Γ({}^3 S_1) = 11.55 \pm 0.18~\rm{s}^{-1}$, respectively.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Radiative corrections to neutron $β$ decay with explicit $Δ(1232)$ degrees of freedom

We study electromagnetic radiative corrections to neutron $β$ decay within chiral perturbation theory extended to include the $Δ(1232)$ resonance as an explicit degree of freedom. Building on a previous analysis performed in the $Δ$-less theory, we identify and compute additional loop contributions with intermediate $Δ$ states at leading and next-to-leading order in the small-scale expansion, and match the results to the pionless effective field theory. We find that the electromagnetic shift in the axial coupling is reduced by approximately a factor of two compared to the $Δ$-less result. The correction remains at the percent level and is phenomenologically significant for the comparison between experimental extractions and lattice-QCD determinations of the nucleon axial charge. We also obtain a new $Δ$-induced contribution to the weak magnetism term, which is an order of magnitude smaller than the pion-loop result and negligible for upcoming experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Radiative corrections to two-neutrino double-beta decay

We use heavy-nucleus effective field theory to compute radiative corrections to two-neutrino double-$β$ decay ($2νββ$). Our main result is the first derivation of a universal radiative-correction factor for double-weak decays -- the analogue of the Sirlin function in single-$β$ decay -- independent of nuclear matrix elements and excitation energies. This "double-weak Sirlin function" depends on the individual electron energies as well as their relative angle and differs significantly from the approximation obtained by summing two single-$β$ decay Sirlin functions. In addition, we calculate the nuclear-structure-dependent component of the radiative corrections and find that they can still be neglected at current experimental sensitivities. On the other hand, the double-weak Sirlin function induces distortions of the electron energies and angular spectra that are comparable in size to the leading nuclear-structure corrections parametrized by the ratio of nuclear matrix elements, $ξ_{31}$. Our results indicate that extractions of nuclear structure information and tests of the Standard Model from high-precision $2νββ$ measurements must include double-weak radiative corrections, implying that recent extractions of $ξ_{31}$ should be revisited.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Flavorful Lepton Number Violation at the EIC

We explore the prospects of detecting flavorful lepton number violation at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) through resonant production of heavy neutral leptons (HNLs), resulting in $e^- p \to \ell^+_α+ k\, j+X$, where $α\in \{e, μ, τ\}$ and $k$ denotes the number of jets. We work in the $ν$SMEFT framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory augmented with $n$ singlet HNLs, one of which is in the mass range $10-100$~GeV, within kinematic reach of the EIC. To explore the EIC sensitivity, we focus on the HNL production mechanism induced by mixing with light neutrinos. We study kinematic distributions for signal and backgrounds, including hadronization and detector effects, and suggest a set of cuts to minimize backgrounds. In the mass range considered, we find that the EIC with muon detection capabilities and an integrated luminosity of $100~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ can reach sensitivities comparable to the strongest direct (LHC) and indirect constraints, and is especially relevant in the $ν$SMEFT framework beyond dimension four. Our study motivates further assessment of muon detection capabilities at the EIC and $τ$ hadronic reconstruction, as well as a more general theoretical analysis involving production mechanisms mediated by higher-dimensional operators in the effective theory.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Global analysis of $μ\to e$ interactions in the SMEFT

We study current experimental bounds on charged lepton flavor violating (CLFV) $μ$-$e$ interactions in the model-independent framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT). Assuming a generic flavor structure in the quark sector, we consider the contributions of CLFV operators to low-energy observables, including $μ\to eγ$ and $μ\to e$ conversion for quark-flavor conserving operators and CLFV meson decays for quark-flavor violating operators. At high energy, we consider limits on CLFV decays of the Higgs and Z bosons and of the top quark, and obtain bounds on operators with light quarks by recasting searches for production of $eμ$ pairs in $pp$ collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We connect observables at low- and high-energy by taking into account renormalization group running and matching between CLFV operators. We also discuss the sensitivity of the future Electron-Ion Collider, where the prospective bounds are derived by imposing simple cuts on final state particles. We find that, in a single operator scenario, bounds on purely leptonic operators are dominated by $μ\rightarrow e γ$ and $μ\rightarrow e$ conversion. Semileptonic operators with down-type quarks are also dominantly constrained by low-energy observables, while LHC searches lead the bounds on up-type quark-flavor violating operators. Taking simplified multiple-coupling scenarios, we show that it is easy to evade the strongest low-energy bounds from spin-independent $μ\rightarrow e$ conversion, and that collider searches are competitive and complementary to constraints from spin-dependent $μ\rightarrow e$ conversion and other low-energy probes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Radiative corrections to superallowed beta decays at $\mathcal O(α^2 Z)$

We compute $\mathcal O(α^2 Z)$ radiative corrections to superallowed $β$ decays with a heavy-particle effective field theory that systematically describes the interactions of low-energy ultrasoft photons with nuclei. We calculate two-loop virtual and one-loop real-virtual amplitudes by reducing the Feynman integrals to a set of master integrals, which we solve analytically using a variety of techniques. These techniques can be applied to other phenomenologically interesting observables. The ultrasoft corrections can then be combined with contributions arising from the exchange of potential photons to obtain the complete $\mathcal O(α^2 Z)$ correction to the decay rate, with resummation of large logarithms of the electron energy times the nuclear radius. We find that $\mathcal O(α^2 Z)$ ultrasoft loops induce a relative correction to the decay rate that ranges from $0.7 \cdot 10^{-3}$ in the decay of $^{10}$C to $3.6 \cdot 10^{-3}$ in the decay of $^{54}$Co, and will thus impact the extraction of $V_{ud}$ at the permille level. We show that the inclusion of these corrections reduces the residual renormalization scale dependence of the decay rate to a negligible level, making missing ultrasoft perturbative corrections a subdominant source of theoretical error.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Three-nucleon lepton-number-violating potentials in chiral EFT and their matrix elements in light nuclei

We derive the three-nucleon neutrinoless double beta decay potential in $Δ$-full chiral effective field theory through next-to-next-to-next-to leading order in Weinberg's power counting. The matrix elements of the resulting operators are computed in light nuclei using Variational Monte Carlo with wave functions constructed from the Norfolk family of nuclear interactions. We find that three-nucleon corrections induce a modest quenching of the total nuclear matrix elements. We discuss model dependencies and the potential impact of these corrections on the sensitivity of experimental programs to probe lepton number violating parameters. These results provide a benchmark of many-body methods capable of reaching heavier nuclei of experimental interest.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2025

Quantum Monte Carlo calculation of $δ_{\rm NS}$ in $^{10}$C using an effective field theory approach

We compute radiative corrections to the superallowed $β$ decay of $^{10}{\rm C}$ in an effective field theory approach using nuclear matrix elements obtained from quantum Monte Carlo calculations. These corrections are an important ingredient in the extraction of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Masakawa quark mixing matrix element $V_{ud}$, and the role of this work is to illuminate the uncertainties arising from nuclear structure. Our results provide good agreement with both the traditional extraction of $V_{ud}$, as well as with a more recent evaluation performed using the no-core shell model and a dispersion formalism. The dominant uncertainty in this approach is the presence of two unknown low-energy constants that enter into the relevant nuclear matrix elements. Future determinations of these low-energy constants -- either from QCD or modeling them with two nucleon amplitudes -- would improve the precision of the extraction in this formalism.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2025

Towards the determination of CP-odd pion-nucleon couplings

The nucleon matrix elements (NMEs) associated with quark chromo-magnetic dipole moments (cMDMs) play a crucial role in determining the CP-odd pion-nucleon couplings induced by quark chromo-electric dipole moments. In recent years, it has been argued that the NMEs of cMDMs can be related to the third moment of the nucleon's higher-twist (specifically, twist-three) parton distribution function (PDF) $e(x)$, which can, in principle, be measured through dihadron production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering processes. By applying the spin-flavor expansion to the cMDM operators in the large-$N_c$ limit, where $N_c$ is the number of quark colors, we show that the NMEs receive contributions not only from the twist-three PDF $e(x)$ but also from an additional, previously neglected nucleon form factor. Incorporating constraints from the spin-flavor expansion, recent experimental data on $e(x)$, as well as model calculations of $e(x)$, we estimate the NMEs of the cMDM operators. Our analysis indicates that the NMEs are dominated by the nucleon form factors, and the cMDM contributions to pion-nucleon couplings can be comparable to those from the quark sigma terms.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Effective field theory for radiative corrections to charged-current processes II: Axial-vector coupling

We discuss the hadronic structure-dependent radiative corrections to the axial-vector coupling that controls single-nucleon weak charged-current processes -- commonly denoted by $g_A$. We match the Standard Model at the GeV scale onto chiral perturbation theory at next-to-leading order in the one-nucleon sector, in the presence of electromagnetic and weak interactions. As a result, we provide a representation for the corrections to $g_A$ in terms of infrared finite convolutions of simple kernels with the single-nucleon matrix elements of time-ordered products of two and three quark bilinears (vector, axial-vector, and pseudoscalar). We discuss strategies to determine the required non-perturbative input from data, lattice-QCD (+QED), and possibly hadronic models. This work paves the way for a precise comparison of the values of the ratio $g_A/g_V$ extracted from experiment and from lattice-QCD, which constrain physics beyond the Standard Model.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2025

Signs of Non-Monotonic Finite-Volume Corrections to $g_A$

We study finite-volume (FV) corrections to determinations of $g_A$ via lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) using analytic results and numerical analysis. We observe that $SU(2)$ Heavy Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory does not provide an unambiguous prediction for the sign of the FV correction, which is not surprising when one also considers large-$N_c$ constraints on the axial couplings. We further show that non-monotonic FV corrections are naturally allowed when one considers either including explicit $Δ$-resonance degrees of freedom or one works to higher orders in the chiral expansion. We investigate the potential impact of these FV corrections with a precision study of $g_A$ using models of FV corrections that are monotonic and non-monotonic. Using lattice QCD data that is approximately at the 1% level of precision, we do not see significant evidence of non-monotonic corrections. Looking forward to the next phase of lattice QCD calculations, we estimate that calculations that are between the 0.1%-1%-level of precision may be sensitive to these FV artifacts. Finally, we present an update of the CalLat prediction of $g_A$ in the isospin limit with sub-percent precision, $g_A^{\rm QCD} = 1.2674(96)$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2025

Gradient flow of the Weinberg operator

We present preliminary results on the susceptibilities involving the CP-violating (CPV) Weinberg three-gluon operator and the topological $Θ$ term using the gradient flow scheme, and study their continuum and chiral extrapolations. These are used to provide an estimate of the $Θ$ induced by the Weinberg operator in theories with the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) mechanism. Combined with the calculations of the matrix elements (MEs) of quark-bilinears between nucleon states, such calculations will enable estimates of the electric dipole moments (EDMs) and CPV pion-nucleon couplings due to the Weinberg operator, thereby providing robust constraints on beyond the standard model (BSM) physics.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2024

$2νββ$ Spectrum in Chiral Effective Field Theory

We investigate two-neutrino double beta decay ($2νββ$) in chiral effective field theory. We find contributions from weak magnetism and double-weak pion-exchange at next-to-leading-order in the chiral power counting. We discuss the impact of the chiral corrections on the electron spectra and find that they should be included in analyses of $2νββ$ decay that aim to uncover new physics signatures in the electron spectrum. We illustrate this point by revisiting the effect of sterile neutrinos and non-standard charged interactions. We also find that the pion-exchange contributions involve nuclear matrix elements that are related to those appearing in neutrinoless double beta decay ($0νββ$). We investigate whether the $0νββ$ nuclear matrix elements can be obtained from detailed measurements of the energy spectrum of the outgoing electrons in $2νββ$ transitions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Ab-initio electroweak corrections to superallowed $β$ decays and their impact on $V_{ud}$

Radiative corrections are essential for an accurate determination of $V_{ud}$ from superallowed $β$ decays. In view of recent progress in the single-nucleon sector, the uncertainty is dominated by the theoretical description of nucleus-dependent effects, limiting the precision that can currently be achieved for $V_{ud}$. In this work, we provide a detailed account of the electroweak corrections to superallowed $β$ decays in effective field theory (EFT), including the power counting, potential and ultrasoft contributions, and factorization in the decay rate. We present a first numerical evaluation of the dominant corrections in light nuclei based on Quantum Monte Carlo methods, confirming the expectations from the EFT power counting. Finally, we discuss strategies how to extract from data the low-energy constants that parameterize short-distance contributions and whose values are not predicted by the EFT. Combined with advances in ab-initio nuclear-structure calculations, this EFT framework allows one to systematically address the dominant uncertainty in $V_{ud}$, as illustrated in detail for the $^{14}$O $\to$ $^{14}$N transition.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2024

Radiative corrections to superallowed $β$ decays in effective field theory

The accuracy of $V_{ud}$ determinations from superallowed $β$ decays critically hinges on control over radiative corrections. Recently, substantial progress has been made on the single-nucleon, universal corrections, while nucleus-dependent effects, typically parameterized by a quantity $δ_\text{NS}$, are much less well constrained. Here, we lay out a program to evaluate this correction from effective field theory (EFT), highlighting the dominant terms as predicted by the EFT power counting. Moreover, we compare the results to a dispersive representation of $δ_\text{NS}$ and show that the expected momentum scaling applies even in the case of low-lying intermediate states. Our EFT framework paves the way towards ab-initio calculations of $δ_\text{NS}$ and thereby addresses the dominant uncertainty in $V_{ud}$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Radiative corrections to proton-proton fusion in pionless EFT

We study the leading radiative correction to proton-proton fusion using the pionless effective field theory framework at leading order. We derive the relevant matrix elements and evaluate them using the method of regions. We benchmark the accuracy of our approximations by carrying out numerical computations of the full expressions. We show that the first order radiative corrections due to the exchange of a Coulomb photon between positron and proton-proton systems map onto the Sirlin function and the $\mathcal{O}(α)$ contribution from the Fermi function. We furthermore find that the nuclear structure dependent radiative correction omitted in the previous analysis by Kurylov {\it et al} gives an up to 0.2~\% correction to the pp fusion S-factor with its size ultimately depending on a two-nucleon counterterm that renormalizes the axial two-body current $L_{1A}$.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2024

Electric Dipole Moments in 5+3 Flavor Weak Effective Theory

A fully generic treatment of electric dipole moments (EDMs) is presented in the CP-violating and flavor-conserving weak effective field theory (WET) with five flavors of quarks and three flavors of leptons. We systematically analyze leading contributions to EDMs originating from QCD and QED renormalization group running between the electroweak scale and low energy scales of about 2 GeV. We include the full one-loop anomalous dimension and a subset of two-loop corrections, as well as threshold corrections at the bottom, charm and $τ$ masses. This allows us to derive master formulae in the space of generic WET for the neutron and proton EDMs, for EDMs of diamagnetic atoms, and the precession frequencies constrained in molecular EDM experiments, from which bounds on the electron EDM are extracted. In particular, our master formulae capture the contributions of WET CP-violating operators with heavy quark and lepton flavors. As an application, we study EDM constraints on the Yukawa couplings of the Higgs boson, in both the linear and non-linear realizations of electroweak symmetry breaking.

hep-ph↗