arXiv subjects

Jessie Shelton

Publications and source records attributed to Jessie Shelton.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Illuminating Dark Photons with High-Energy Colliders

High-energy colliders offer a unique sensitivity to dark photons, the mediators of a broken dark U(1) gauge theory that kinetically mixes with the Standard Model (SM) hypercharge. Dark photons can be detected in the exotic decay of the 125 GeV Higgs boson, h -> Z Z_D -> 4l, and in Drell-Yan events, pp -> Z_D -> ll. If the dark U(1) is broken by a hidden-sector Higgs mechanism, then mixing between the dark and SM Higgs bosons also allows the exotic decay h -> Z_D Z_D -> 4l. We show that the 14 TeV LHC and a 100 TeV proton-proton collider provide powerful probes of both exotic Higgs decay channels. In the case of kinetic mixing alone, direct Drell-Yan production offers the best sensitivity to Z_D, and can probe epsilon >~ 9 x 10^(-4) (4 x 10^(-4)) at the HL-LHC (100 TeV pp collider). The exotic Higgs decay h -> Z Z_D offers slightly weaker sensitivity, but both measurements are necessary to distinguish the kinetically mixed dark photon from other scenarios. If Higgs mixing is also present, then the decay h -> Z_D Z_D can allow sensitivity to the Z_D for epsilon >~ 10^(-9) - 10^(-6) (10^(-10) - 10^(-7)) for the mass range 2 m_mu < m_(Z_D) < m_h/2 by searching for displaced dark photon decays. We also compare the Z_D sensitivity at pp colliders to the indirect, but model-independent, sensitivity of global fits to electroweak precision observables. We perform a global electroweak fit of the dark photon model, substantially updating previous work in the literature. Electroweak precision measurements at LEP, Tevatron, and the LHC exclude epsilon as low as 3 x 10^(-2). Sensitivity can be improved by up to a factor of ~2 with HL-LHC data, and an additional factor of ~4 with ILC/GigaZ data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Fitting the Galactic Center Gamma-Ray Excess with Cascade Annihilations

The apparent excess of gamma rays in an extended region in the direction of the galactic center has a spatial distribution and amplitude that are suggestive of dark matter annihilations. If this excess is indeed due to dark matter annihilations, it would indicate the presence of both dark matter and an additional particle beyond the Standard Model that mediates the interactions between the dark matter and Standard Model states. We introduce reference models describing dark matter annihilation to pairs of these new mediators, which decouples the SM-mediator coupling from the thermal annihilation cross section and easily explains the lack of direct detection signals. We determine the parameter regions that give good descriptions of the gamma ray excess for several motivated choices of mediator couplings to the SM. We find fermion dark matter with mass 7-26 GeV and a dark vector mediator, or scalar dark matter in the 10-50 GeV range (Higgs portal mediator) or 10-65 GeV range (gluophilic mediator) can provide a comparable or improved fit, compared to the case of direct annihilation. We demonstrate that these models can easily satisfy all constraints from collider experiments, direct detection, and cosmology.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Direct and indirect detection of dissipative dark matter

We study the constraints from direct detection and solar capture on dark matter scenarios with a subdominant dissipative component. This dissipative dark matter component in general has both a symmetric and asymmetric relic abundance. Dissipative dynamics allow this subdominant dark matter component to cool, resulting in its partial or total collapse into a smaller volume inside the halo (e.g., a dark disk) as well as a reduced thermal velocity dispersion compared to that of normal cold dark matter. We first show that these features considerably relax the limits from direct detection experiments on the couplings between standard model (SM) particles and dissipative dark matter. On the other hand, indirect detection of the annihilation of the symmetric dissipative dark matter component inside the Sun sets stringent and robust constraints on the properties of the dissipative dark matter. In particular, IceCube observations force dissipative dark matter particles with mass above 50 GeV to either have a small coupling to the SM or a low local density in the solar system, or to have a nearly asymmetric relic abundance. Possible helioseismology signals associated with purely asymmetric dissipative dark matter are discussed, with no present constraints.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Galactic Center Gamma-Ray Excess from Dark Matter Annihilation: Is There A Black Hole Spike?

If the supermassive black hole Sgr A* at the center of the Milky Way grew adiabatically from an initial seed embedded in an NFW dark matter (DM) halo, then the DM profile near the hole has steepened into a spike. We calculate the dramatic enhancement to the gamma ray flux from the Galactic center (GC) from such a spike if the 1-3 GeV excess observed in Fermi data is due to DM annihilations. We find that for the parameter values favored in recent fits, the point source-like flux from the spike is 35 times greater than the flux from the inner $1^\circ$ of the halo, far exceeding all Fermi point source detections near the GC. We consider the dependence of the spike signal on astrophysical and particle parameters and conclude that if the GC excess is due to DM, then a canonical adiabatic spike is disfavored by the data. We discuss alternative Galactic histories that predict different spike signals, including: (i) the nonadiabatic growth of the black hole, possibly associated with halo and/or black hole mergers, (ii) gravitational interaction of DM with baryons in the dense core, such as heating by stars, or (iii) DM self-interactions. We emphasize that the spike signal is sensitive to a different combination of particle parameters than the halo signal, and that the inclusion of a spike component to any DM signal in future analyses would provide novel information about both the history of the GC and the particle physics of DM annihilations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Kinematics of Top Quark Final States: A Snowmass White Paper

This is the summary report of the Top Quark Kinematics working group prepared for Snowmass 2013. We survey the current state of theoretical predictions for top pair differential distributions, in both boosted and un-boosted regimes, and present an overview of uncertainties and prospects for top spin correlations. We study the prospects for measuring the inclusive SM top pair production asymmetry AFC at LHC 14 as a function of systematic error, and show that some improvement over current systematic uncertainties, as customarily handled, is required for observing a SM-size asymmetry. Cuts on top pair invariant mass and rapidity do not substantially alter this conclusion. We summarize the conclusions of contributed studies on alternate LHC measurements of the ttbar production asymmetry, in ttbar+jet final states and in forward top production at LHCb, both of which show good prospects for observing SM-size asymmetries in 50 fb-1 of data at LHC14.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Hunting Asymmetric Stops

We point out that in the irreducible natural SUSY spectrum, stops have comparable branching fractions to chargino-bottom and neutralino-top in the vast bulk of parameter space, provided only that both decay modes are kinematically accessible. The total stop pair branching fractions into ttbar + MET can therefore be reduced to O(50%), while b bbar + X branching fractions are typically much smaller, O(10%), thus limiting the reach of traditional stop searches. We propose a new stop search targeting the asymmetric final state tt* --> t chi^0 b chi^pm, which can restore sensitivity to natural stops in the 7 and 8 TeV LHC runs. In addition we present a new variable, topness, which efficiently suppresses the dominant top backgrounds to semi-leptonic top partner searches. We demonstrate the utility of topness in both our asymmetric search channel and traditional tt* --> ttbar + MET searches and show that it matches or out-performs existing variables.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Multi-Lepton Signals of Top-Higgs Associated Production

We evaluate the potential to measure ttbar H associated production at the LHC using non-resonant multi-lepton final states in conjunction with two or more b-tags. The multi-lepton ttbar H signal arises predominantly from H to tau tau and H to WW^* alongside the semi-leptonic or fully leptonic decay of the ttbar pair. We demonstrate the power of a multi-lepton search for ttbar H associated production by recasting the CMS b-tagged multi-lepton search with 19.5 fb^-1 of 8 TeV data to obtain an observed (expected) limit of 4.7 (6.6) times the Standard Model rate, comparable to ongoing searches in 4b and bb gamma gamma final states. Sensitivity can be further improved by the addition of exclusive channels involving same-sign dileptons. We recast the CMS b-tagged same-sign dilepton search with 10.5 fb^-1 of 8 TeV data to set limits on ttbar H associated production, and approximately combine the two searches by calculating the fraction of same-sign dilepton signal events which do not satisfy multi-lepton selection criteria. We estimate an expected total non-resonant leptonic reach of mu < 5.0 times the Standard Model rate in 20 fb^-1 of 8 TeV data, with improvements possible.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Open windows for a light axigluon explanation of the top forward-backward asymmetry

The top forward-backward asymmetry (tAFB) measured at the Tevatron remains one of the most puzzling outstanding collider anomalies. After two years of LHC running, however, few models for tAFB remain consistent with LHC data. In this paper we take a detailed look at the most promising surviving class of models, namely light (m_G' <~ 450 GeV), broad axigluons. We show which models simultaneously satisfy constraints from Tevatron and LHC top measurements, hadronic resonance searches, and LEP precision electroweak (PEW) observables. We consider three flavor structures: flavor-universal; down-type nonuniversal, designed to ease constraints from LHC charge asymmetry measurements; and top-type nonuniversal, designed to ameliorate constraints from PEW. We compute contributions to the PEW observables from states in the minimal UV completion of the axigluon model and demonstrate that new heavy fermions make the constraints universally more stringent, while related contributions from new scalars are much smaller, but act to relax the constraints. Paired dijet searches from ATLAS and CMS rule out all narrow axiglue models, while the LHC charge asymmetry measurement is less constraining than expected due to the high central value measured by ATLAS. Excepting the tension with the CMS charge asymmetry measurement, a broad axigluon is consistent with all data over the entire mass range we consider (50 GeV <~m_G' <~450 GeV) in the flavor-universal and top-type nonuniversal models, while it is consistent for m_G' >~200 GeV in the down-type non-universal model. The LHC charge asymmetry remains the best avenue for excluding, or observing, these models.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

TASI Lectures on Jet Substructure

Jet physics is a rich and rapidly evolving field, with many applications to physics in and beyond the Standard Model. These notes, based on lectures delivered at the June 2012 Theoretical Advanced Study Institute, provide an introduction to jets at the Large Hadron Collider. Topics covered include sequential jet algorithms, jet shapes, jet grooming, and boosted Higgs and top tagging.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Measuring the Invisible Higgs Width at the 7 and 8 TeV LHC

The LHC is well on track toward the discovery or exclusion of a light Standard Model (SM)-like Higgs boson. Such a Higgs has a very small SM width and can easily have large branching fractions to physics beyond the SM, making Higgs decays an excellent opportunity to observe new physics. Decays into collider-invisible particles are particularly interesting as they are theoretically well motivated and relatively clean experimentally. In this work we estimate the potential of the 7 and 8 TeV LHC to observe an invisible Higgs branching fraction. We analyze three channels that can be used to directly study the invisible Higgs branching ratio at the 7 TeV LHC: an invisible Higgs produced in association with (i) a hard jet; (ii) a leptonic Z; and (iii) forward tagging jets. We find that the last channel, where the Higgs is produced via weak boson fusion, is the most sensitive, allowing branching fractions as small as 40% to be probed at 20 inverse fb for masses in the range between 120 and 170 GeV, including in particular the interesting region around 125 GeV. We provide an estimate of the 8 TeV LHC sensitivity to an invisibly-decaying Higgs produced via weak boson fusion and find that the reach is comparable to but not better than the reach at the 7 TeV LHC. We further estimate the discovery potential at the 8 TeV LHC for cases where the Higgs has substantial branching fractions to both visible and invisible final states.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Gamma Lines without a Continuum: Thermal Models for the Fermi-LAT 130 GeV Gamma Line

Recent claims of a line in the Fermi-LAT photon spectrum at 130 GeV are suggestive of dark matter annihilation in the galactic center and other dark matter-dominated regions. If the Fermi feature is indeed due to dark matter annihilation, the best-fit line cross-section, together with the lack of any corresponding excess in continuum photons, poses an interesting puzzle for models of thermal dark matter: the line cross-section is too large to be generated radiatively from open Standard Model annihilation modes, and too small to provide efficient dark matter annihilation in the early universe. We discuss two mechanisms to solve this puzzle and illustrate each with a simple reference model in which the dominant dark matter annihilation channel is photonic final states. The first mechanism we employ is resonant annihilation, which enhances the annihilation cross-section during freezeout and allows for a sufficiently large present-day annihilation cross section. Second, we consider cascade annihilation, with a hierarchy between p-wave and s-wave processes. Both mechanisms require mass near-degeneracies and predict states with masses closely related to the dark matter mass; resonant freezeout in addition requires new charged particles at the TeV scale.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

A Polarized View of the Top Asymmetry

Recent experimental results from the CDF collaboration which study the top forward-backward asymmetry have strengthened the case that new physics is playing a role in t-tbar production. Here we propose a set of measurements, built from the charged lepton kinematics in semileptonic and fully leptonic t-tbar events, designed to further probe the underlying causes of this asymmetry both at the Tevatron and at the LHC. Using a set of conservative reference models we find that measurements of the charged lepton asymmetry, top polarization, and t-tbar spin correlation can establish the existence of new physics and distinguish between competing models both at the Tevatron and the LHC. At the Tevatron, discrimination between models is possible at the three sigma level. At the LHC, we demonstrate that a top forward-backward asymmetry can be established at roughly three sigma in the first five inverse-femtobarns of data, and show how competing explanations can be further disentangled.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Composite Octet Searches with Jet Substructure

Many new physics models with strongly interacting sectors predict a mass hierarchy between the lightest vector meson and the lightest pseudoscalar mesons. We examine the power of jet substructure tools to extend the 7 TeV LHC sensitivity to these new states for the case of QCD octet mesons, considering both two gluon and two b-jet decay modes for the pseudoscalar mesons. We develop both a simple dijet search using only the jet mass and a more sophisticated jet substructure analysis, both of which can discover the composite octets in a dijet-like signature. The reach depends on the mass hierarchy between the vector and pseudoscalar mesons. We find that for the pseudoscalar-to-vector meson mass ratio below approximately 0.2 the simple jet mass analysis provides the best discovery limit; for a ratio between 0.2 and the QCD-like value of 0.3, the sophisticated jet substructure analysis has the best discovery potential; for a ratio above approximately 0.3, the standard four-jet analysis is more suitable.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

A Theory for Maximal Flavor Violation

Theories of flavor violation beyond the Standard Model typically suppose that the new contributions must be small, for example suppressed by Yukawa couplings, as in Minimal Flavor Violation. We show that this need not be true, presenting a case for flavor violation which maximally mixes the first and third generation flavors. As an example, we realize this scenario via new right-handed gauge bosons, which couple predominantly to the combinations (u,b)_R and (t,d)_R. We show that this new flavor violation could be responsible for several anomalies, focusing in particular on the B_d and B_s systems, and the Tevatron top forward-backward asymmetry.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Simplified Models for LHC New Physics Searches

This document proposes a collection of simplified models relevant to the design of new-physics searches at the LHC and the characterization of their results. Both ATLAS and CMS have already presented some results in terms of simplified models, and we encourage them to continue and expand this effort, which supplements both signature-based results and benchmark model interpretations. A simplified model is defined by an effective Lagrangian describing the interactions of a small number of new particles. Simplified models can equally well be described by a small number of masses and cross-sections. These parameters are directly related to collider physics observables, making simplified models a particularly effective framework for evaluating searches and a useful starting point for characterizing positive signals of new physics. This document serves as an official summary of the results from the "Topologies for Early LHC Searches" workshop, held at SLAC in September of 2010, the purpose of which was to develop a set of representative models that can be used to cover all relevant phase space in experimental searches. Particular emphasis is placed on searches relevant for the first ~50-500 pb-1 of data and those motivated by supersymmetric models. This note largely summarizes material posted at http://lhcnewphysics.org/, which includes simplified model definitions, Monte Carlo material, and supporting contacts within the theory community. We also comment on future developments that may be useful as more data is gathered and analyzed by the experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

$A^t_{FB}$ Meets LHC

The recent Tevatron measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry of the top quark shows an intriguing discrepancy with Standard Model expectations, particularly at large $\ttbar$ invariant masses. Measurements of this quantity are subtle at the LHC, due to its $pp$ initial state, however, one can define a forward-central-charge asymmetry which captures the physics. We study the capability of the LHC to measure this asymmetry and find that within the SM a measurement at the $5σ$ level is possible with roughly 60 fb$^{-1}$ at $\sqrt{s} = 14$ TeV. If nature realizes a model which enhances the asymmetry (as is necessary to explain the Tevatron measurements), a significant difference from zero can be observed much earlier, perhaps even during early LHC running at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV. We further explore the capabilities of the 7 TeV LHC to discover resonances or contact interactions which modify the $\ttbar$ invariant mass distribution using recent boosted top tagging techniques. We find that TeV-scale color octet resonances can be discovered, even with small coupling strengths and that contact interactions can be probed at scales exceeding 6 TeV. Overall, the LHC has good potential to clarify the situation with regards to the Tevatron forward-backward measurement.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Darkogenesis

In standard models of baryogenesis and of dark matter, the mechanisms which generate the densities in both sectors are unrelated to each other. In this paper we explore models which generate the baryon asymmetry through the dark matter sector, simultaneously relating the baryon asymmetry to the dark matter density. In the class of models we explore, a dark matter asymmetry is generated in the hidden sector through a first order phase transition. Within the hidden sector, it is easy to achieve a sufficiently strong first order phase transition and large enough $CP $ violation to generate the observed asymmetry. This can happen above or below the electroweak phase transition, but in both cases significantly before the dark matter becomes non-relativistic. We study examples where the Asymmetric Dark Matter density is then transferred to the baryons both through perturbative and non-perturbative communication mechanisms, and show that in both cases cosmological constraints are satisfied while a sufficient baryon asymmetry can be generated.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Measuring the Polarization of Boosted Hadronic Tops

We propose a new technique for measuring the polarization of hadronically decaying boosted top quarks. In particular, we apply a subjet-based technique to events where the decay products of the top are clustered within a single jet. The technique requires neither b-tagging nor W-reconstruction, and does not rely on assumptions about either the top production mechanism or the sources of missing energy in the event. We include results for various new physics scenarios made with different Monte Carlo generators to demonstrate the robustness of the technique.

hep-ph↗