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Hector Gisbert

Publications and source records attributed to Hector Gisbert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Generalized Uncertainty Principle as a Mechanism for CP Violation

Within quantum electrodynamics we show that the Generalized Uncertainty Principle induces higher-derivative corrections that promote the topological invariant $F_{\mu\nu}\,\widetilde F^{\mu\nu}$ to the dynamical, non-topological operator $\partial^\lambda F_{\mu\nu}\,\partial_\lambda \widetilde F^{\mu\nu}$. We explore the resulting phenomenology, focusing on the generation of electric dipole moments. Our findings open a new low-energy window for testing quantum-gravity scenarios through precision measurements of charge-parity violation.

hep-ph

BSM reach of rare charm decays, including the rising star $\Lambda_c\to p\mu^+\mu^-$

We perform the first global fit of rare charm transitions using recent data on $D^0\to \mu^+\mu^-$, $D^+\to\pi^+\mu^+\mu^-$, $\Lambda_c\to p\mu^+\mu^-$ and $D^0\to\pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^-$ decays, including angular observables. We work out constraints on new physics in the framework of the weak effective field theory. While angular observables in $D^0\to\pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^-$ decays provide sensitivities to different QCD models, future null tests in $\Lambda_c\to p \mu^+\mu^-$ look more promising to extract limits because of less hadronic uncertainties. This marks $\Lambda_c\to p \mu^+\mu^-$ as the rising star of rare charm decays.

hep-ph

The Generalized Uncertainty Principle. New Bounds and Trends

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle is one of the fundamental pillars of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. It is normally introduced by postulating the commutation relations $[\hat{x}^i, \hat{p}^j] = i\hbar \delta^{ij}$. However, as suggested by some quantum gravity models and string theory, this basic principle no longer holds true in the presence of a minimal length, possible the Plank length, and modifications of the commutation have been proposed i.e., of the form $[\hat{x}^\mu, \hat{p}^\nu ] = -i\hbar(1 + \beta_0 \, \hat{p}^2/\Lambda^2 )\eta^{\mu\nu}$(plus possible additional terms). In this work we will consider the previous modified uncertainty principle in terms of an effective field theory, comment upon some theoretical subtleties that are often overlooked in the literature, and constrain, for the first time, the $\Lambda$ scale with the Compton high-energy experimental data. Our findings suggest that high-energy experiments are potentially sensitive to these corrections and could serve as an effective framework for probing possible violations of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle

hep-ph

Effective field theory analysis of rare $|\Delta c|=|\Delta u|=1$ charm decays

We perform a global analysis of $|\Delta c| = |\Delta u| = 1$ transitions using recent data on $D^0 \to \mu^+\mu^-$, $D^+ \to \pi ^+\,\mu^+\mu^-$, $\Lambda_c \to p\,\mu^+\mu^-$, and $D^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\,\mu^+\mu^-$ decays, and work out constraints on new physics Wilson coefficients $\mathcal{C}_{7,9,10}^{(\prime)}$. While results are consistent with the standard model, we find sizeable room for new physics that can be cleanly signaled with null test observables, not probed with searches in other sectors such as kaon and $b$-decays. The decay $D^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\,\mu^+\mu^-$ requires better understanding of hadronic contributions to be competitive in the current fit. Progress can be achieved by precision study of the double differential decay rate in the dipion and dimuon masses, together with improved theory modelling and $D \to \pi \pi$ transition form factors. On the other hand, the 4-body decay is an important contributor to the future global analysis due to its angular distributions that probe complementary combinations of Wilson coefficients, and as a QCD laboratory. The decay $\Lambda_c \to p\,\ell^+\ell^-$ is the rising star due to the simplicity of a 3-body decay with available form factors from lattice QCD, sensitivity to both 4-fermion and electromagnetic dipole couplings and its null test forward-backward asymmetry.

hep-ph

Constraints on baryon-number-violating top-quark operators in standard model effective field theory

Within the Standard Model Effective Field Theory framework, we set indirect constraints on top quark operators that violate baryon number by one unit above the TeV scale. We find that these constraints are typically many orders of magnitude more stringent than the recently derived direct bounds from collider experiments. Therefore, direct observation of baryon number violation in these top-quark observables at the TeV scale would imply a large fine-tuning among operators across different energy scales. This possibility is not protected under universal radiative corrections or any known symmetry principles.

hep-ph

Axion Window on New Macroscopic Forces

Axion-mediated forces are enhanced by the presence of CP-violating axion couplings, which are however tightly constrained by electric dipole moment (EDM) searches. We discuss the underlying hypotheses behind different sources of CP violation at high energies and the interplay between axion-mediated force experiments and EDM observables. Specifically, we identify various mechanisms, based on new sources of CP violation or Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking, that can significantly relax EDM constraints, leading to a substantial redefinition of the QCD axion window for axion-mediated forces. By considerably enlarging the QCD axion parameter space, our results provide a well-motivated target for experiments probing scalar axion couplings to matter fields. These include fifth-force tests of gravity, as well as searches for spin-dependent forces via precision magnetometry, proton storage rings and ultracold molecules.

hep-ph

CP-Violating Axions: A Theory Review

We review the physics case for CP-violating axions. In the first part, we focus on the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) axion and argue that new sources of CP violation beyond QCD misalign the axion solution to the strong CP problem and can manifest themselves via a tiny scalar axion-nucleon component. We hence highlight recent advancements in calculating this scalar axion-nucleon coupling, a parameter that could be probed via axion-mediated force experiments. In the second part, we focus on axion-like particle (ALP) interactions entailing the most general sources of CP violation. After classifying the full set of CP-violating Jarlskog invariants, we report on recent calculations of ALP contributions to permanent electric dipole moments. We finally speculate on possible ultraviolet completions of the CP-violating ALP.

hep-ph

Old and new anomalies in charm

The recent LHCb determination of the direct CP asymmetries in the decays $D^0 \to K^+ K^-, \pi^+ \pi^-$ hints at a sizeable breaking of two approximate symmetries of the SM: CP and U-spin. We aim at explaining the data with BSM physics and use the framework of flavorful $Z^\prime$ models. Interestingly, experimental and theoretical constraints very much narrow down the shape of viable models: Viable, anomaly-free models are electron- and muon-phobic and feature a light $Z^\prime$ of 10-20 GeV coupling only to right-handed fermions. The $Z^\prime$ can be searched for in low mass dijets or at the LHC as well as dark photon searches. A light $Z^\prime$ of $\sim$ 3 GeV or $\sim$ 5-7 GeV can moreover resolve the longstanding discrepancy in the $J/\psi, \psi^\prime$ branching ratios with pion form factors from fits to $e^+ e^- \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ data, and simultaneously explain the charm CP asymmetries. Smoking gun signatures for this scenario are $\Upsilon$ and charmonium decays into pions, taus or invisbles.

hep-ph

Implications of an enhanced $B \to K \nu \bar \nu$ branching ratio

Rare decays mediated by $b \to s \nu \bar \nu$ transitions have been reported by the Belle II experiment. The branching ratio of the decay $B^+ \to K^+ \nu \bar \nu$ is found to be enhanced with respect to the standard model value. If taken at face value, the implications are profound: either lepton flavor universality is violated at the (multi)-TeV-scale, or light new physics is involved. This holds in general if $\mathcal{B}(B^+ \to K^+ \nu \bar \nu)$ exceeds $1.2 \cdot 10^{-5} \, (1.3 \cdot 10^{-5})$ at $1 \sigma$ ($2 \sigma$), which tightens with a decreasing upper limit on $\mathcal{B}(B \to K^*\nu \bar \nu)$, that is in reach of the Belle II experiment. In view of the strong constraints on electron-muon universality violation in $|\Delta b|=|\Delta s|=1$ processes, viable explanations are heavy, $(5-10)$-TeV tree-level new physics mediators that couple only to tau-flavors, or lepton flavor violating ones. In addition, couplings of similar size to both left- and right-handed quarks are generically required, implying non-minimal BSM sectors which are carefully balanced against flavor constraints. The decay $B_s^0 \to \text{invisibles}$ can shed light on whether new physics is light or heavy. In the former case, branching ratios can be as large as $10^{-5}$.

hep-ph

On the oscillating electric dipole moment induced by axion-fermion couplings

It has been recently claimed that the axion coupling to fermions is responsible for an oscillating electric dipole moment (EDM) in the background of axion dark matter. In this work, we re-examine the derivation of this effect. Contrary to previous studies, we point out the physical relevance of an axion boundary term, which is crucial in restoring the axion shift symmetry and drastically affects the EDM phenomenology. To describe the latter, we introduce the notion of a time-averaged effective axion EDM, which encodes the boundary term and whose magnitude depends on the oscillation regime. For slow oscillations, the boundary term washes out the standard oscillating EDM, resulting in an exact cancellation in the static limit. Conversely, during fast oscillations, the boundary term amplifies the effective EDM relatively to the standard EDM contribution. This observable is especially interesting in the case of the electron EDM. For an $\mathcal{O}(1)$ axion-electron coupling, the overall size of the effective EDM in the regime of intermediate or fast oscillations is comparable to the present static EDM limit.

hep-ph

Two is better than one: The U-spin-CP anomaly in charm

The recent measurement of the CP-asymmetry in the decay $D \to K^+ K^-$ by LHCb, combined with $\Delta A_{\text{CP}}$, evidences a sizable CP-asymmetry in $D \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ decays, which requires a dynamical enhancement of standard model higher-order contributions over tree-level ones by a factor of two. The data furthermore imply huge U-spin breaking, about 4-5 times larger than the nominal standard model one of $\lesssim 30 \%$ in charm. Enhanced breakdown of the two approximate symmetries points to models that violate U-spin and CP and disfavors flavor singlet contributions such as chromomagnetic dipole operators as explanations of the data. We analyze the reach of flavorful $Z^\prime$ models for charm CP-asymmetries. Models feature explicit U-spin and isospin breaking, allowing for correlations with $D \to \pi^0 \pi^0$ and $D^+ \to \pi^+ \pi^0$ decays with corresponding CP-asymmetries at a similar level and sign as $D \to \pi^+ \pi^-$, about $ {\cal{O}}(1-2) \cdot 10^{-3}$. Experimental and theoretical constraints narrow down the shape of viable models: anomaly-free models are leptophobic -- or at least electro- and muo-phobic -- with light $Z^\prime$ below ${\cal{O}}(20)$ GeV, and can be searched for in low mass dijets at the LHC, $\Upsilon$ and charmonium decays, and dark photon signatures. A $Z^\prime$ around $\sim 3$ GeV or $\sim (5-7)$ GeV can relieve the tensions in the $J/\psi \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ and $\psi^\prime \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ branching ratios with pion form factors from fits to Babar and JLab data, and simultaneously explain the charm CP asymmetries. Models also feature sizable branching ratios into light right-handed neutrinos or vector-like dark fermions, which can be searched for in $e^+ e^- \to$~hadrons + invisibles at Belle II and BESIII. Due to the low new physics scale dark fermions may induce an early Landau pole which requires UV-completion near the TeV-scale.

hep-ph

Model-independent analysis of $b\to d$ processes

We perform a model-independent analysis of $|\Delta b|=|\Delta d|=1$ processes to test the standard model and probe flavor patterns of new physics. Constraints on Wilson coefficients are obtained from global fits to $B^+ \to \pi^+ \,\mu^+\mu^-$, $B^0_s\to \bar{K}^{*0}\, \mu^+\mu^-$, $B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-$, and radiative $B \to X_d \,\gamma$ decays data. The fits are consistent with the standard model but leave sizable room for new physics. Besides higher-statistics measurements and more data in theory-friendly bins of the dilepton mass, further complementary observables such as angular distributions of $B_s^0 \to \bar{K}^{*0}\,\ell^+ \ell^-$, $B \to \rho\,\ell^+ \ell^-$ or the baryonic modes $\Xi_b \to \Sigma\,\ell^+ \ell^-$, $\Omega_b^- \to \Xi^- \, \ell^+ \ell^-$ are necessary to resolve the significant degeneracy in the fit for the semileptonic four-fermion operators. Assuming minimal quark flavor violation, the $b \to s$ global fit implies tight constraints on the $b \to d$ couplings, and hence allows to test this paradigm with improved data. Another benefit from $|\Delta b|=|\Delta d|=1$ processes is to shed light on the $B$-anomalies in $|\Delta b|=|\Delta s|=1$ modes from a new angle. Specifically, studies of lepton flavor-specific and dineutrino modes are informative on the lepton flavor structure. Rare $b \to d \, \ell \ell, \nu \bar \nu$ decays can be studied at high luminosity flavor facilities LHCb, Belle II, and a future $Z$-factory.

hep-ph

The role of dineutrino modes in the search for new physics

Dineutrino modes offer promising searches for new physics. The potential aspects of these modes are reviewed in detail. Performing a proper combination of them, novel tests of the SM symmetries are derived. Different phenomenological applications are worked out, including charm, beauty and kaons, which result in novel tests of lepton universality and charged lepton flavour conservation with flavour-summed dineutrino observables, in addition to improved bounds on $\tau\,\ell$ couplings with $\ell=e,\mu,\tau$.

hep-ph

W-boson mass and electric dipole moments from colour-octet scalars

New coloured scalars in the Manohar-Wise model give sizeable contributions to the Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) of the neutron through one-loop and two-loop diagrams, computed in Reference [1]. Contributions from neutral scalars cancel out for degenerate values of the masses, whose difference is related to the oblique parameters $S$ and $T$. The Manohar-Wise model is able to explain the recent value of the $W$-boson mass published by the CDF collaboration. We show, however, that the case of total degeneracy of masses is strongly disfavoured in this model, whose parameter space is substantially reduced when considering also unitarity bounds.

hep-ph

Electric dipole moments from colour-octet scalars

We present the contributions to electric dipole moments (EDMs) induced by the Yukawa couplings of an additional electroweak doublet of colour-octet scalars. The full set of one-loop diagrams and the enhanced higher-order effects from Barr-Zee diagrams are computed for the quark (chromo-)EDM, along with the two-loop contributions to the Weinberg operator. Using the stringent experimental upper limits on the neutron EDM, constraints on the parameter space of this model are derived.

hep-ph

Dineutrino modes probing lepton flavor violation

$SU(2)_L$-invariance links charged dilepton $\bar q\,q^\prime\,\ell^+\,\ell^-$ and dineutrino $\bar q\, q^\prime\, \bar\nu\,\nu$ couplings. This connection can be established using the Standard Model Effective Field Theory framework, and allows to perform complementary experimental tests of lepton universality and charged lepton flavor conservation with flavor-summed dineutrino observables. We present its phenomenological implications for the branching ratios of rare charm decays $c\to u\,\nu\,\bar\nu$ and rare $B$ decays $b\to s\,\bar\nu\,\nu$ decays.

hep-ph

Interplay of dineutrino modes with semileptonic rare $\boldsymbol{B}$-decays

We present a systematic global analysis of dineutrino modes $b \to q \,\nu \bar \nu$, $q=d,s$, and charged dilepton $b \to q \,\ell^+ \ell^-$ transitions. We derive improved or even entirely new limits on dineutrino branching ratios including decays $B^0 \to (K^0 , X_s)\, \nu \bar \nu$, $B_s \to \phi \,\nu \bar \nu$ and $B^0 \to (\pi^0, \rho^0)\, \nu \bar \nu$ from dineutrino modes which presently are best constrained: $B^+ \to (K^+,\pi^+, \rho^+) \,\nu \bar \nu$ and $B^0 \to K^{*0} \,\nu \bar \nu$. Using SMEFT we obtain new flavor constraints from the dineutrino modes, which are stronger than the corresponding ones from charged dilepton rare $b$-decay or Drell-Yan data, for $e \tau$ and $\tau \tau$ final states, as well as for $\mu \tau$ ones in $b \to s$ processes. The method also allows to put novel constraints on semileptonic four-fermion operators with top quarks. Implications for ditau modes $b \to s \, \tau^+ \tau^-$ and $b \to d \, \tau^+ \tau^-$ are worked out. Furthermore, the interplay between dineutrinos and charged dileptons allows for concrete, novel tests of lepton universality in rare $B$-decays. Performing a global fit to $b \to s \,\mu^+ \mu^-, \,s \gamma$ transitions we find that lepton universality predicts the ratio of the $B^0 \to K^{*0} \,\nu \bar \nu$ to $B^0 \to K^0 \,\nu \bar \nu$ ($B^+ \to K^+ \,\nu \bar \nu$) branching fractions to be within 1.7 to 2.6 (1.6 to 2.4) at $1\,\sigma$, a region that includes the standard model, and that can be narrowed with improved charged dilepton data. There is sizable room outside this region where universality is broken and that can be probed with the Belle II experiment. Using results of a fit to $B^0 \to \mu^+ \mu^-$, $B^0_s\to \bar{K}^{\ast 0}\,\mu^+\mu^-$ and $ B^+ \to \pi^+\, \mu^+ \mu^-$ data we obtain an analogous relation for $|\Delta b|=|\Delta d|=1$ transitions.

hep-ph

Nonleptonic $K\to 2\,\pi$ decay dynamics

Using Chiral Perturbation Theory to properly account for the dynamics of nonleptonic $K\to 2\,\pi$ decays, we found the Standard Model prediction for the CP violating ratio $\mbox{Re}\left(\varepsilon'/\varepsilon\right)=\left(14\pm 5\right) \times 10^{-4}$, where isospin breaking effects are included, in perfect agreement with the current experimental world average. Similar results have been reported by a recent release of improved lattice data.

hep-ph