arXiv subjects

Lorenzo Calibbi

Publications and source records attributed to Lorenzo Calibbi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Implications of the Muon g-2 result on the flavour structure of the lepton mass matrix

The confirmation of the discrepancy with the Standard Model predictions in the anomalous magnetic moment by the Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab points to a low scale of new physics. Flavour symmetries broken at low energies can account for this discrepancy but these models are much more restricted, as they would also generate off-diagonal entries in the dipole moment matrix. Therefore, if we assume that the observed discrepancy in the muon $g-2$ is explained by the contributions of a low-energy flavor symmetry, lepton flavour violating processes can constrain the structure of the lepton mass matrices and therefore the flavour symmetries themselves predicting these structures. We apply these ideas to several discrete flavour symmetries popular in the leptonic sector, such as $Δ(27)$, $A_4$, and $A_5 \ltimes {\rm CP}$.

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arXiv2021

Displaced new physics at colliders and the early universe before its first second

Displaced vertices at colliders, arising from the production and decay of long-lived particles, probe dark matter candidates produced via freeze-in. If one assumes a standard cosmological history, these decays happen inside the detector only if the dark matter is very light because of the relic density constraint. Here, we argue how displaced events could very well point to freeze-in within a non-standard early universe history. Focusing on the cosmology of inflationary reheating, we explore the interplay between the reheating temperature and collider signatures for minimal freeze-in scenarios. Observing displaced events at the LHC would allow to set an upper bound on the reheating temperature and, in general, to gather indirect information on the early history of the universe.

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arXiv2021

Muon $g-2$ and $B$-anomalies from Dark Matter

In the light of the recent result of the Muon g-2 experiment and the update on the test of lepton flavour universality $R_K$ published by the LHCb collaboration, we systematically build and discuss a set of models with minimal field content that can simultaneously give: (i) a thermal Dark Matter candidate; (ii) large loop contributions to $b\to s\ell\ell$ processes able to address $R_K$ and the other $B$ anomalies; (iii) a natural solution to the muon $g-2$ discrepancy through chirally-enhanced contributions.

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arXiv2021

Systematic approach to $B$-physics anomalies and $t$-channel dark matter

We study renormalisable models with minimal field content that can provide a viable Dark Matter candidate through the standard freeze-out paradigm and, simultaneously, accommodate the observed anomalies in semileptonic $B$-meson decays at one loop. Following the hypothesis of minimality, this outcome can be achieved by extending the particle spectrum of the Standard Model either with one vector-like fermion and two scalars or two vector-like fermions and one scalar. The Dark Matter annihilations are mediated by $t$-channel exchange of other new particles contributing to the $B$-anomalies, thus resulting in a correlation between flavour observables and Dark Matter abundance. Again based on minimality, we assume the new states to couple only with left-handed muons and second and third generation quarks. Besides an ad hoc symmetry needed to stabilise the Dark Matter, the interactions of the new states are dictated only by gauge invariance. We present here for the first time a systematic classification of the possible models of this kind, according to the quantum numbers of the new fields under the Standard Model gauge group. Within this general setup we identify a group of representative models that we systematically study, applying the most updated constraints from flavour observables, dedicated Dark Matter experiments, and LHC searches of leptons and/or jets and missing energy, and of disappearing charged tracks.

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arXiv2020

Simple model for large CP violation in charm decays, B-physics anomalies, muon g-2, and Dark Matter

We present a minimal extension of the Standard Model that can simultaneously account for the anomalies in semi-leptonic B meson decays and the muon g-2, give large CP violation in charm decays (up to the value recently measured by LHCb), and provide thermal-relic dark matter, while evading all constraints set by other flavour observables, LHC searches, and dark matter experiments. This is achieved by introducing only four new fields: a vectorlike quark, a vectorlike lepton, and two scalar fields (a singlet and a doublet) that mix due to the electroweak symmetry breaking and provide the dark matter candidate. The singlet-doublet mixing induces chirally-enhanced dipole transitions, which are crucial for the explanation of the muon g-2 discrepancy and the large charm CP violation, and allows to achieve the observed dark matter density in wide regions of the parameter space.

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arXiv2020

Muon and electron $g-2$ and lepton masses in flavor models

The stringent experimental bound on $μ\rightarrow e γ$ is compatible with a simultaneous and sizable new physics contribution to the electron and muon anomalous magnetic moments $(g-2)_\ell$ ($\ell=e,\,μ$), only if we assume a non-trivial flavor structure of the dipole operator coefficients. We propose a mechanism in which the realization of the $(g-2)_\ell$ correction is manifestly related to the mass generation through a flavor symmetry. A radiative flavon correction to the fermion mass gives a contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment. In this framework, we introduce a chiral enhancement from a non-trivial $\mathcal{O}(1)$ quartic coupling of the scalar potential. We show that the muon and electron anomalies can be simultaneously explained in a vast region of the parameter space with predicted vector-like mediators of masses as large as $M_χ\in [0.6,2.5]$~TeV.

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arXiv2019

$Z^\prime$ models with less-minimal flavour violation

We study the phenomenology of simplified $Z^\prime$ models with a global $U(2)^3$ flavour symmetry in the quark sector, broken solely by the Standard Model Yukawa couplings. This flavour symmetry, known as less-minimal flavour violation, protects $ΔF=2$ processes from dangerously large new physics (NP) effects, and at the same time provides a free complex phase in $b\to s$ transitions, allowing for an explanation of the hints for additional direct CP violation in kaon decays ($ε^\prime/ε$) and in hadronic $B$-decays ($B\to Kπ$ puzzle). Furthermore, once the couplings of the $Z^\prime$ boson to the leptons are included, it is possible to address the intriguing hints for NP (above the 5$\,σ$ level) in $b\to s \ell^+\ell^-$ transitions. Taking into account all flavour observables in a global fit, we find that $ε^\prime/ε$, the $B\to Kπ$ puzzle and $b\to s \ell^+\ell^-$ data can be explained simultaneously. Sizeable CP violation in $b\to s \ell^+\ell^-$ observables, in particular $A_8$, is predicted, which can be tested in the near future, and an explanation of the $B\to Kπ$ and $ε^\prime/ε$ puzzles leads to effects in di-jet tails at the LHC, that are not far below the current limits. Once $b\to s \ell^+\ell^-$ is included, cancellations in di-muon tails, possibly by a second $Z^\prime$, are required by LHC data.

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arXiv2018

A model of vector leptoquarks in view of the $B$-physics anomalies

Lepton number as a fourth color is an intriguing theoretical idea which is combined with a possible left-right symmetry within the famous Pati-Salam (PS) model. In the conventional PS model, a spontaneous breaking of the PS gauge group down to the SM one can only take place at very high scales (above the PeV scale) due to the stringent bounds from $K_L\toμe$ and $K\toπμe$ induced by the resulting vector leptoquarks. In this paper, we show that these constraints can be avoided once additional vector-like fermions are introduced and thus a breaking at the TeV scale is possible. We consider the flavor phenomenology of this model in the context of the intriguing hints for new physics in semileptonic $B$ decays. The necessary violation of lepton flavor universality is induced by mixing SM and vector-like fermions. Concerning $R(D)$ and $R(D^*)$ we find that sizable effects are possible while respecting the bounds from other flavor observables but predicting a large enhancement of $B_s\toτ^+τ^-$. Furthermore, also in $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions the observed deviations from the SM predictions (including $R(K)$ and $R(K^*)$) can be explained with natural values for the free parameters of the model without any fine-tuning, predicting sizable decay rates for $b\to sτμ$. Finally, the anomaly in anomalous magnetic moment of the muon can be accounted for by a loop-contribution involving the vector leptoquark and vector-like leptons.

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arXiv2018

Singlet-Doublet Dark Matter Freeze-in: LHC displaced signatures versus cosmology

We study the Singlet-Doublet dark matter model in the regime of feeble couplings, where the dark matter abundance is obtained via the freeze-in mechanism. As a consequence of the small couplings, the heavier particles in the model are long-lived with decay length at typical scales of collider experiments. We analyse the collider signatures of the model, characterised by displaced $h$ and $Z$ bosons plus missing momentum, employing current LHC searches for displaced vertices and missing energy to significantly constrain the parameter space of the model. We also take into account the cosmological bounds relevant for our light dark matter candidate arising from Lyman-$α$ forest constraints. Our analysis emphasises the interplay between displaced signatures at the LHC and cosmology for dark matter candidates whose relic abundance is obtained through the freeze-in mechanism.

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arXiv2018

Minimal Models for Dark Matter and the Muon g-2 Anomaly

We construct models with minimal field content that can simultaneously explain the muon g-2 anomaly and give the correct dark matter relic abundance. These models fall into two general classes, whether or not the new fields couple to the Higgs. For the general structure of models without new Higgs couplings, we provide analytical expressions that only depend on the $SU(2)_L$ representation. These results allow to demonstrate that only few models in this class can simultaneously explain $(g-2)_μ$ and account for the relic abundance. The experimental constraints and perturbativity considerations exclude all such models, apart from a few fine-tuned regions in the parameter space, with new states in the few 100 GeV range. In the models with new Higgs couplings, the new states can be parametrically heavier by a factor $\sqrt{1/y_μ}$, with $y_μ$ the muon Yukawa coupling, resulting in masses for the new states in the TeV regime. At present these models are not well constrained experimentally, which we illustrate on two representative examples.

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arXiv2017

Naturalness and Dark Matter in a Realistic Intersecting D6-Brane Model

We revisit a three-family Pati-Salam model with a realistic phenomenology from intersecting D6-branes in Type IIA string theory compactified on a $\mathbf{T}^6/(\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}_2)$ orientifold, and study its naturalness in view of the current LHC and dark matter searches. We discuss spectrum and phenomenological features of this scenario demanding fine tuning better than 1\%. This requirement restricts the lightest neutralino to have mass less than about 600 GeV. We observe that the viable parameter space is tightly constrained by the requirements of naturalness and consistency with the observed dark matter relic density, so that it is fully testable at current and future dark matter searches, unless a non-thermal production mechanism of dark matter is at work. We find that $Z$-resonance, $h$-resonance, $A$-funnel and light stau/stop-neutralino coannihilation solutions are consistent with current LHC and dark matter constraints while the "well-tempered" neutralino scenario is ruled out in our model. Moreover, we observe that only Bino, Higgsinos, right-handed staus and stops can have mass below 1 TeV.

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arXiv2017

Baryon number violation in supersymmetry: Neutron-antineutron oscillations as a probe beyond the LHC

We summarize the current status of baryon number violation in supersymmetry and provide prospects for going beyond the present reach by means of a new search for neutron-antineutron oscillations. The main motivation is the recently proposed neutron-antineutron oscillation experiment at the European Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden, which is projected to be able to improve the current bound on the transition probability in the quasi-free regime by three orders of magnitude. We consider various processes involving superpartners that give rise to neutron-antineutron oscillations and extract the corresponding simplified models, including only the most relevant superpartners and couplings. In terms of these models we recast and determine the exclusion limits from LHC searches as well as from searches for flavor transitions, CP violation and di-nucleon decays. We find that, for certain regions of the parameter space, the proposed neutron-antineutron experiment has a reach that goes beyond all other experiments, as it can probe gluino and squark masses in the multi-TeV range.

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arXiv2017

LSP baryogenesis and neutron-antineutron oscillations from R-parity violation

R-parity and baryon number violating operators can be allowed in the Supersymmetric Standard Model and thus lead to interesting baryon number violating processes such as neutron-antineutron oscillations and baryogenesis of the Universe via the decay of the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP). Adopting the LSP baryogenesis mechanism realized by the late decay of the axino, we identify a single coupling lambda''_313 as a common origin for the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe as well as potentially observable neutron-antineutron oscillation rates. From this, rather strong constraints on the supersymmetry breaking masses and the axion decay constant are obtained. The favoured parameter space of lambda''_313 ~ 0.1 and sub-TeV masses for the relevant sparticles is readily accessible by the current and future LHC searches.

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arXiv2017

Charged Lepton Flavour Violation: An Experimental and Theoretical Introduction

Charged lepton flavour violating transitions would be a clear signal of new physics beyond the Standard Model. Their search has been carried out in a variety of channels, the most sensitive being those involving a muon: however no positive evidence has been found so far. The MEG experiment has recently set the best limit on such processes by investigating the existence of the $μ\to eγ$ decay. In the next decade several experiments are planned to pursue the search for $μ\to eγ$, $μ\to eee$, $μ\to e$ conversion in nuclei, as well as on processes involving the $τ$, to an unprecedented level of precision. In this review we want to give a pedagogical introduction on the theoretical motivations for such searches as well as on the experimental aspects upon which they are based.

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arXiv2017

Low Fine Tuning in Yukawa-deflected Gauge Mediation

We discuss a class of models with gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking characterized by a non-unified messenger sector inducing non-standard gaugino mass ratios, as well as by additional contributions to the soft mass terms from a matter-messenger coupling. The well-known effect of this coupling is to generate A-terms at one-loop level, hence raising the Higgs mass without relying on super-heavy stops. At the same time, a hierarchy between Wino and gluino masses, as induced by the non-unified messenger fields, can greatly lower the radiative corrections to the Higgs soft mass term driven by the high-energy parameters, thus reducing the fine tuning. We search for models with low fine tuning within this scenario, and we discuss the spectrum, collider phenomenology, constraints, and prospects of the found solutions. We find that some setups are accessible or already excluded by searches at the Large Hadron Collider, and all our scenarios with a tuning better than about 2\% can be tested at the International Linear Collider.

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arXiv2017

The Axiflavon

We show that solving the flavor problem of the Standard Model with a simple $U(1)_H$ flavor symmetry naturally leads to an axion that solves the strong CP problem and constitutes a viable Dark Matter candidate. In this framework, the ratio of the axion mass and its coupling to photons is related to the SM fermion masses and predicted within a small range, as a direct result of the observed hierarchies in quark and charged lepton masses. The same hierarchies determine the axion couplings to fermions, making the framework very predictive and experimentally testable by future axion and precision flavor experiments.

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arXiv2016

Improving naturalness in Gauge Mediation with non-unified messenger sectors

We study models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking with messengers that do not belong to complete representations of grand-unified gauge groups. We show that certain setups characterized by heavy Wino can greatly improve the fine tuning with respect to models with unified messengers, such as minimal gauge mediation. The typical models with low tuning feature multi-TeV superparticles, with the exception of the Higgsinos and possibly Bino and right-handed sleptons. As a consequence, the absence of signals for supersymmetry at the LHC is trivially accommodated in our framework. On the other hand, testing these models will be challenging at the LHC. We finally show that the gravitino can be a consistent candidate for cold dark matter, provided a rather low reheating temperature, if a standard thermal history of the universe is assumed.

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arXiv2016

Simplified Models for Dark Matter Searches at the LHC

This document outlines a set of simplified models for dark matter and its interactions with Standard Model particles. It is intended to summarize the main characteristics that these simplified models have when applied to dark matter searches at the LHC, and to provide a number of useful expressions for reference. The list of models includes both s-channel and t-channel scenarios. For s-channel, spin-0 and spin-1 mediation is discussed, and also realizations where the Higgs particle provides a portal between the dark and visible sectors. The guiding principles underpinning the proposed simplified models are spelled out, and some suggestions for implementation are presented.

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