arXiv subjects

Ian Low

Publications and source records attributed to Ian Low.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

New Flavor-Kinematics Dualities and Extensions of Nonlinear Sigma Models

Nonlinear sigma model (NLSM) based on the coset $\text{SU}(N)\times \text{SU}(N)/\text{SU}(N)$ exhibits several intriguing features at the leading ${\cal O}(p^2)$ in the derivative expansion, such as the flavor-kinematics duality and an extended theory controlling the single and triple soft limits. In both cases the cubic biadjoint scalar theory plays a prominent role. We extend these features in two directions. First we uncover a new extended theory for $\text{SO}(N+1)/\text{SO}(N)$ NLSM at ${\cal O}(p^2)$, which is a cubic bifundamental/biadjoint scalar theory. Next we provide evidence for flavor-kinematics dualities up to ${\cal O}(p^4)$ for both $\text{SU}(N)$ and $\text{SO}(N)$ NLSM's. In particular, we introduce a new duality building block based on the symmetric tensor $δ^{ab}$ and demonstrate several flavor-kinematics dualities for 4-point amplitudes, which precisely match the soft blocks employed to soft-bootstrap the NLSM's up to ${\cal O} (p^4)$.

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arXiv2019

Higgs Portal to Dark QED

We introduce a light dark photon $A_μ^\prime$ to the minimal Higgs portal model, by coupling the Higgs boson to "dark QED" containing fermionic dark matter, which gives rise to rich and interesting collider phenomenology. There are two prominent features in such a simple extension -- the Higgs boson could have decays into the long-lived dark photon through the "mono-$A^\prime$ channel," or into multiple collimated leptons via "darkonium," depending on the mixing parameter of the $A_μ^\prime$ with the visible photon. We initiate a study on the possibility of probing the parameter space of the model in both the energy and the lifetime frontiers at the Large Hadron Collider.

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arXiv2019

A Golden Probe of Nonlinear Higgs Dynamics

The most salient generic feature of a composite Higgs boson resides in the nonlinearity of its dynamics, which arises from degenerate vacua associated with the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone (PNGB) nature of the Higgs boson. It has been shown that the nonlinear Higgs dynamics is universal in the IR and controlled only by a single parameter $f$, the decay constant of the PNGB Higgs. In this work we perform a fit, for the first time, to Wilson coefficients of ${\cal O}(p^4)$ operators in the nonlinear Lagrangian using the golden H $\to$ 4L decay channel. By utilizing both the "rate" information in the signal strength and the "shape" information in the fully differential spectra, we provide limits on the Goldstone decay constant $f$, as well as ${\cal O}(p^4)$ Wilson coefficients, using Run 2 data at the LHC. In rate measurements alone, the golden channel prefers a negative $ξ=v^2/f^2$ corresponding to a non-compact coset structure. Including the shape information, we identify regions of parameter space where current LHC constraint on $f$ is still weak, allowing for $ξ\lesssim 0.5$ or $ξ\gtrsim -0.5$. We also comment on future sensitivity at the high-luminosity upgrade of the LHC which could allow for simultaneous fits to multiple Wilson coefficients.

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arXiv2018

Broadening Dark Matter Searches at the LHC: Mono-X versus Darkonium Channels

Current searches for dark matter at the LHC focus on mono-X signatures: the production of dark matter in association with a Standard Model (SM) particle. The simplest benchmark introduces a massive spin-1 mediator, the $Z^\prime$ boson, between the dark matter $χ$ and the SM. Limits derived from mono-X channels are most effective when the mediator can decay into two on-shell dark matter particles: $M_{Z'}\gtrsim 2M_χ$. We broaden the experimental reach into the complementary region, where the $Z^\prime$ mediator is much lighter than the dark matter. In this scenario the $Z^\prime$ mediates an effective long-range force between the dark matter, thereby facilitating the formation of darkonium bound states, as is common in many dark sector models. The darkonium becomes active when $M_χ>M_{Z'}/α_{\rm eff}$, where $α_{\rm eff}$ is the effective fine-structure constant in the dark sector. Moreover, the darkonium could decay back into SM quarks, without producing missing transverse momentum in the detector. Considering multijet final states, we reinterpret existing searches to constrain the simple $Z^\prime$ benchmark beyond the region probed by mono-X searches. Assuming a baryonic $Z^\prime$ mediator and a Dirac dark matter, direct detection bounds can be loosened by giving a small Majorana mass to the dark matter. We also consider the interplay between mono-X and darkonium channels at future high energy colliders, which is at the frontier of probing the model parameter space.

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arXiv2018

The Infrared Structure of Nambu-Goldstone Bosons

The construction of effective actions for Nambu-Goldstone bosons, and the nonlinear sigma model, usually requires a target coset space $G/H$. Recent progresses uncovered a new formulation using only IR data, without reference to $G/H$, by imposing the Adler's zero condition, which can be seen to originate from the superselection rule in the space of degenerate vacua. The IR construction imposes a nonlinear shift symmetry on the Lagrangian to enforce the correct single soft limit amid constraints of the unbroken group $H$. We present a systematic study on the consequence of the Adler's zero condition in correlators of nonlinear sigma model, by deriving the conserved current and the Ward identity associated with the nonlinear shift symmetry, and demonstrate how the old-fashioned current algebra emerges. The Ward identity leads to a new representation of on-shell amplitudes, which amounts to bootstrapping the higher point amplitudes from lower point amplitudes and adding new vertices to satisfy the Adler's condition. The IR perspective allows one to extract Feynman rules for the mysterious extended theory of biadjoint cubic scalars residing in the subleading single soft limit, which was first discovered using the Cachazo-He-Yuan representation of scattering amplitudes. In addition, we present the subleading triple soft theorem in the nonlinear sigma model and show that it is also controlled by on-shell amplitudes of the same extended theory as in the subleading single soft limit.

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arXiv2018

Universal Relations in Composite Higgs Models

We initiate a phenomenological study of `universal relations' in composite Higgs models, which are dictated by nonlinear shift symmetries acting on the 125 GeV Higgs boson. These are relations among one Higgs couplings with two electroweak gauge bosons (HVV), two Higgses couplings with two electroweak gauge bosons (HHVV), one Higgs couplings with three electroweak gauge bosons (HVVV), as well as triple gauge boson couplings (TGC), which are all controlled by a single input parameter: the decay constant $f$ of the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Higgs boson. Assuming custodial invariance in strong sector, the relation is independent of the symmetry breaking pattern in the UV, for an arbitrary symmetric coset $G/H$. The complete list of corrections to HVV, HHVV, HVVV and TGC couplings in composite Higgs models is presented to all orders in $1/f$, and up to four-derivative level, without referring to a particular $G/H$. We then present several examples of universal relations in ratios of coefficients which could be extracted experimentally. Measuring the universal relation requires a precision sensitive to effects of dimension-8 operators in the effective Lagrangian and highlights the importance of verifying the tensor structure of HHVV interactions in the standard model, which remains untested to date.

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arXiv2018

Universal Imprints of a Pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Higgs Boson

A large class of models addressing the electroweak naturalness problem postulates the existence of new spontaneously broken global symmetries above the weak scale. The Higgs boson arises as a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson (pNGB) whose interactions are nonlinear due to the presence of de- generate vacua. We argue that, once the normalization of the pNGB decay constant f is determined, the Higgs nonlinear interactions in the gauge sector are universal in the infrared and independent of the symmetry breaking pattern G/H, even after integrating out heavy composite resonances. We propose a set of "universal relations" in Higgs couplings with electroweak gauge bosons and in triple gauge boson couplings, which are unique predictions of the universal nonlinearity. Experimental measurements of these relations would serve as the litmus test of a pNGB Higgs boson.

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arXiv2018

Adler's Zero and Effective Lagrangians for Nonlinearly Realized Symmetry

Long ago Coleman, Callan, Wess and Zumino (CCWZ) constructed the general effective lagrangian for nonlinearly realized symmetry by finding all possible nonlinear representations of the broken group G which become linear when restricted to the unbroken group H. However, in the case of a single Nambu-Goldstone boson (NGB), which corresponds to a broken U(1), the effective lagrangian can also be obtained by imposing a constant shift symmetry. In this work we generalize the shift symmetry approach to multiple NGBs and show that, when they furnish a linear representation of H that can be embedded in a symmetric coset, it is possible to derive the CCWZ lagrangian by imposing 1) the "Adler's zero condition," which requires scattering amplitudes to vanish when emitting a single soft NGB, and 2) closure of shift symmetry with the linearly realized symmetry; knowledge of the broken group G is not required at all. Using only generators of H, the NGB covariant derivative and the associated gauge field can be computed to all orders in the NGB decay constant f.

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arXiv2018

Ward Identity and Scattering Amplitudes for Nonlinear Sigma Models

We present a Ward identity for nonlinear sigma models using generalized nonlinear shift symmetries, without introducing current algebra or coset space. The Ward identity constrains correlation functions of the sigma model such that the Adler's zero is guaranteed for $S$-matrix elements, and gives rise to a subleading single soft theorem that is valid at the quantum level and to all orders in the Goldstone decay constant. For tree amplitudes, the Ward identity leads to a novel Berends-Giele recursion relation as well as an explicit form of the subleading single soft factor. Furthermore, interactions of the cubic biadjoint scalar theory associated with the single soft limit, which was previously discovered using the Cachazo-He-Yuan representation of tree amplitudes, can be seen to emerge from matrix elements of conserved currents corresponding to the generalized shift symmetry.

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arXiv2018

Top-philic $Z'$ Forces at the LHC

Despite extensive searches for an additional neutral massive gauge boson at the LHC, a $Z^\prime$ at the weak scale could still be present if its couplings to the first two generations of quarks are suppressed, in which case the production in hadron colliders relies on tree-level processes in association with heavy flavors or one-loop processes in association with a jet. We consider the low-energy effective theory of a top-philic $Z'$ and present possible UV completions. We clarify theoretical subtleties in evaluating the production of a top-philic $Z'$ at the LHC and examine carefully the treatment of an anomalous $Z'$ current in the low-energy effective theory. Recipes for properly computing the production rate in the $Z'+j$ channel are given. We discuss constraints from colliders and low-energy probes of new physics. As an application, we apply these considerations to models that use a weak-scale $Z'$ to explain possible violations of lepton universality in $B$ meson decays, and show that the future running of a high luminosity LHC can potentially cover much of the remaining parameter space favored by this particular interpretation of the $B$ physics anomaly.

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arXiv2017

Testing Naturalness

Solutions to the electroweak hierarchy problem typically introduce a new symmetry to stabilize the quadratic ultraviolet sensitivity in the self-energy of the Higgs boson. The new symmetry is either broken softly or collectively, as for example in supersymmetric and little Higgs theories. At low energies such theories contain naturalness partners of the Standard Model fields which are responsible for canceling the quadratic divergence in the squared Higgs mass. Post the discovery of any partner-like particles, we propose to test the aforementioned cancellation by measuring relevant Higgs couplings. Using the fermionic top partners in little Higgs theories as an illustration, we construct a simplified model for naturalness and initiate a study on testing naturalness. After electroweak symmetry breaking, naturalness in the top sector requires $a_T = - λ_t^2$ at leading order, where $λ_t$ and $a_T$ are the Higgs couplings to a pair of top quarks and top partners, respectively. Using a multivariate method of Boosted Decision Tree to tag boosted particles in the Standard Model, we show that, with a luminosity of 30 $ab^{-1}$ at a 100 TeV $pp$-collider, naturalness could be tested with a precision of 10 % for a top partner mass up to 2.5 TeV.

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arXiv2017

Modification of Higgs Couplings in Minimal Composite Models

We present a comprehensive study of the modifications of Higgs couplings in the SO(5)/SO(4) minimal composite model. We focus on three couplings of central importance to Higgs phenomenology at the LHC: the couplings to top and bottom quarks and the coupling to two gluons. We consider three possible embeddings of the fermionic partners in 5, 10 and 14 of SO(5) and find tth and bbh couplings to be always suppressed in 5 and 10, while in 14 they can be either enhanced or suppressed. Assuming partial compositeness, we analyze the interplay between the tth coupling and the top sector contribution to the Coleman-Weinberg potential for the Higgs boson, and the correlation between tth and ggh couplings. In particular, if the electroweak symmetry breaking is triggered radiatively by the top sector, we demonstrate that the ratio of the tth coupling in composite Higgs models over the Standard Model expectation is preferred to be less than the corresponding ratio of the ggh coupling.

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arXiv2017

A Reappraisal on Dark Matter Co-annihilating with a Top/Bottom Partner

We revisit the calculation of relic density of dark matter particles co-annihilating with a top or bottom partner, by properly including the QCD bound-states (onia) effects of the colored partners, as well as the relevant electroweak processes which become important in the low mass region. We carefully set up the complete framework that incorporates the relevant contributions and investigate their effects on the cosmologically preferred mass spectrum, which turn out to be comparable in size to those coming from the Sommerfeld enhancement. We apply the calculation to three scenarios: bino-stop and bino-sbottom co-annihilations in supersymmetry, and a vector dark matter co-annihilating with a fermionic top partner. In addition, we confront our analysis of the relic abundance with recent direct detection experiments and collider searches at the LHC, which have important implications in the bino-stop and bino-sbottom scenarios. In particular, in the bino-stop case recent LHC limits have excluded regions of parameter with a direct detection rate that is above the neutrino floor.

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arXiv2017

AMS-02 Positron Excess and Indirect Detection of Three-body Decaying Dark Matter

We consider indirect detection of meta-stable dark matter particles decaying into a stable neutral particle and a pair of standard model fermions. Due to the softer energy spectra from the three-body decay, such models could potentially explain the AMS-02 positron excess without being constrained by the Fermi-LAT gamma-ray data and the cosmic ray anti-proton measurements. We scrutinize over different final state fermions, paying special attention to handling of the cosmic ray background and including various contributions from cosmic ray propagation with the help of the \textsc{LikeDM} package. It is found that primary decays into an electron-positron pair and a stable neutral particle could give rise to the AMS-02 positron excess and, at the same time, stay unscathed against the gamma-ray and anti-proton constraints. Decays to a muon pair or a mixed flavor electron-muon pair may also be viable depending on the propagation models. Decays to all other standard model fermions are severely disfavored.

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arXiv2016

A Second Peak in Diphoton (or Diboson) Resonances

Many new physics models contain a neutral scalar resonance that can be predominantly produced via gluon fusion through loops. In such a case, there could be important effects of additional particles, that in turn may hadronize before decaying and form bound states. This interesting possibility may lead to novel signatures with double peaks that can be searched for at the LHC. We study the phenomenology of double peak searches in diboson final states from loop induced production and decay of a new neutral spin-0 resonance at the LHC. The loop-induced couplings should be mediated by particles carrying color and electroweak charge that after forming bound states will induce a second peak in the diboson invariant mass spectrum near twice their mass. A second peak could be present via loop-induced couplings into $gg$ (dijet), $γγ$ and $Zγ$ final states as well as in the $WW$ and $ZZ$ channels for the case of a pseudo-scalar resonance or for scalars with suppressed tree-level coupling to gauge bosons.

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arXiv2016

From the 750 GeV Diphoton Resonance to Multilepton Excesses

Weakly-coupled models for the 750 GeV diphoton resonance often invoke new particles carrying both color and/or electric charges to mediate loop-induced couplings of the resonance to two gluons and two photons. The new colored particles may not be stable and could decay into final states containing standard model particles. We consider an electroweak doublet of vector-like quarks (VLQs) carrying electric charges of 5/3 and 2/3, respectively, which mediate the loop-induced couplings of the 750 GeV resonance. If the VLQ has a mass at around 1 TeV, it naturally gives rise to the observed diphoton signal strength while all couplings remain perturbative up to a high scale. At the same time, if the charge-5/3 VLQ decays into final states containing top quark and W boson, it would contribute to the multilepton excesses observed in both Run 1 and Run 2 data. It is also possible to incorporate a dark matter candidate in the decay final states to explain the observed relic density.

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arXiv2015

Implications of Gauge Invariance on a Heavy Diphoton Resonance

Assuming a heavy electroweak singlet scalar, which couples to the Standard Model gauge bosons only through loop-induced couplings, SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y gauge invariance imposes interesting patterns on its decays into electroweak gauge bosons, which are dictated by only two free parameters. Therefore experimental measurements on any two of the four possible electroweak channels would determine the remaining two decay channels completely. Furthermore, searches in the WW/ZZ channels probe a complimentary region of parameter space from searches in the gamma-gamma/Z-gamma channels. We derive a model-independent upper bound on the branching fraction in each decay channel, which for the diphoton channel turns out to be about 61%. Including the coupling to gluons, the upper bound on the diphoton branching fraction implies an upper bound on the mass scale of additional colored particles mediating the gluon-fusion production. Using an event rate of about 5 fb for the reported 750 GeV diphoton excess, we find the new colored particle must be lighter than O(1.7 TeV) and O(2.6 TeV) for a pure CP-even and a pure CP-odd singlet scalar, respectively.

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arXiv2015

Double Soft Theorems and Shift Symmetry in Nonlinear Sigma Models

We show both the leading and subleading double soft theorems of the nonlinear sigma model follow from a shift symmetry enforcing Adler's zero condition in the presence of an unbroken global symmetry. They do not depend on the underlying coset G/H and are universal infrared behaviors of Nambu-Goldstone bosons. Although nonlinear sigma models contain an infinite number of interaction vertices, the double soft limit is determined entirely by a single four-point interaction, together with the existence of Adler's zeros.

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