arXiv subjects

Luca Silvestrini

Publications and source records attributed to Luca Silvestrini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Dispersive Look at Rare $B$-meson Semileptonic Decays

Rare semileptonic $b \to s$ flavour-changing neutral current transitions provide stringent tests of the Standard Model. Their interpretation is limited by hadronic uncertainties, notably the $B \to K^{(*)}$ and $B_s \to ϕ$ form factors (FFs) and the matrix elements of four-quark operators. We perform a global analysis of $b \to s \ell^+\ell^-$ transitions taking these uncertainties fully into account, determining the FFs through the Dispersive Matrix method and comparing a setup based solely on lattice QCD (LQCD) with one that also includes light-cone sum-rule (LCSR) inputs at low $q^2$. Compared to the case where both input are taken into account, using only LQCD substantially enlarges the FF uncertainties at large recoil. Combined with the latest LHCb and CMS angular measurements sensitive to strong phases, our global fit yields strengthened evidence in favour of long-distance hadronic effects rather than a short-distance shift in $C_9$. We further present new SM predictions for the theoretically clean $b \to s ν\barν$ modes, which depend only on local FFs, and a New Physics analysis of these transitions in the Weak Effective Theory, discussing their impact on the interpretation of the recent Belle~II measurement and on the available experimental upper bounds.

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arXiv2025

$\texttt{HEPfit}$: a Code for the Combination of Indirect and Direct Constraints on High Energy Physics Models

$\texttt{HEPfit}$ is a flexible open-source tool which, given the Standard Model or any of its extensions, allows to $\textit{i)}$ fit the model parameters to a given set of experimental observables; $\textit{ii)}$ obtain predictions for observables. $\texttt{HEPfit}$ can be used either in Monte Carlo mode, to perform a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis of a given model, or as a library, to obtain predictions of observables for a given point in the parameter space of the model, allowing $\texttt{HEPfit}$ to be used in any statistical framework. In the present version, around a thousand observables have been implemented in the Standard Model and in several new physics scenarios. In this paper, we describe the general structure of the code as well as models and observables implemented in the current release.

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arXiv2025

Electroweak precision observables and Higgs-boson signal strengths in the Standard Model and beyond: present and future

We present results from a state-of-the-art fit of electroweak precision observables and Higgs-boson signal-strength measurements performed using 7 and 8 TeV data from the Large Hadron Collider. Based on the HEPfit package, our study updates the traditional fit of electroweak precision observables and extends it to include Higgs-boson measurements. As a result we obtain constraints on new physics corrections to both electroweak observables and Higgs-boson couplings. We present the projected accuracy of the fit taking into account the expected sensitivities at future colliders.

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arXiv2024

Computing Tools for Effective Field Theories

In recent years, theoretical and phenomenological studies with effective field theories have become a trending and prolific line of research in the field of high-energy physics. In order to discuss present and future prospects concerning automated tools in this field, the SMEFT-Tools 2022 workshop was held at the University of Zurich from 14th-16th September 2022. The current document collects and summarizes the content of this workshop.

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arXiv2023

$\texttt{RGESolver}$ : a $\texttt{C++}$ library to perform Renormalization Group evolution in the Standard Model Effective Theory

Renormalization group evolution above the electroweak scale is a crucial ingredient in the phenomenology of the Standard Model Effective Theory. The RGESolver open-source C++ library performs the evolution at leading order for dimension-six operators in the most general flavour scenario (assuming lepton and baryon number conservation). Given its efficiency, RGESolver can be used to include the effects of renormalization group evolution in extensive phenomenological analyses in the framework of the Standard Model Effective Theory.

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arXiv2023

Constraints on Lepton Universality Violation from Rare $B$ Decays

The LHCb collaboration has very recently released a new study of $B^+ \to K^{+} \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to K^{*0} \ell^+ \ell^-$ ($\ell = e,μ$) decays, testing lepton universality with unprecedented accuracy using the whole Run 1 and 2 dataset. In addition, the CMS collaboration has recently reported an improved analysis of the branching ratios $B_{(d,s)}\toμ^+μ^-$. While these measurements offer, per se, a powerful probe of New Physics, global analyses of $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ transitions also rely on the assumptions about nonperturbative contributions to the decay matrix elements. In this work, we perform a global Bayesian analysis of New Physics in (semi)leptonic rare $B$ decays, paying attention to the role of charming penguins which are difficult to evaluate from first principles. We find data to be consistent with the Standard Model once rescattering from intermediate hadronic states is included. Consequently, we derive stringent bounds on lepton universality violation in $|ΔB | = | ΔS| = 1$ (semi)leptonic processes.

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arXiv2022

Charming Penguins and Lepton Universality Violation in $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ decays

The LHCb experiment has very recently presented new results on Lepton Universality Violation (LUV) in $B \to K^{(*)} \ell^+ \ell^-$ decays involving $K_S$ in the final state, which strengthens the recent evidence of LUV obtained in $B^+ \to K^{+} \ell^+ \ell^-$ decays and the previous measurements of $B \to K^{*0} \ell^+ \ell^-$. While LUV observables in the Standard Model are theoretically clean, their predictions in New Physics scenarios are sensitive to the details of the hadronic dynamics, and in particular of the charming penguin contribution. In this work, we show how a conservative treatment of hadronic uncertainties is crucial not only to assess the significance of deviations from the Standard Model but also to obtain a conservative picture of the New Physics responsible for LUV. Adopting a very general parameterization of charming penguins, we find that: $i)$ current data hint at a sizable $q^2$ and helicity dependence of charm loop amplitudes; $ii)$ conservative NP solutions to $B$ anomalies favour a left-handed or an axial lepton coupling rather than a vector one.

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arXiv2022

New UTfit Analysis of the Unitarity Triangle in the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa scheme

Flavour mixing and CP violation as measured in weak decays and mixing of neutral mesons are a fundamental tool to test the Standard Model (SM) and to search for new physics. New analyses performed at the LHC experiment open an unprecedented insight into the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) metrology and new evidence for rare decays. Important progress has also been achieved in theoretical calculations of several hadronic quantities with a remarkable reduction of the uncertainties. This improvement is essential since previous studies of the Unitarity Triangle did show that possible contributions from new physics, if any, must be tiny and could easily be hidden by theoretical and experimental errors. Thanks to the experimental and theoretical advances, the CKM picture provides very precise SM predictions through global analyses. We present here the results of the latest global SM analysis performed by the UTfit collaboration including all the most updated inputs from experiments, lattice QCD and phenomenological calculations.

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arXiv2022

LHC EFT WG Note: Precision matching of microscopic physics to the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT)

This note gives an overview of the tools for the precision matching of ultraviolet theories to the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) at the tree level and one loop. Several semi- and fully automated codes are presented, as well as some supplementary codes for the basis conversion and the subsequent running and matching at low energies. A suggestion to collect information for cross-validations of current and future codes is made.

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arXiv2021

Publishing statistical models: Getting the most out of particle physics experiments

The statistical models used to derive the results of experimental analyses are of incredible scientific value and are essential information for analysis preservation and reuse. In this paper, we make the scientific case for systematically publishing the full statistical models and discuss the technical developments that make this practical. By means of a variety of physics cases -- including parton distribution functions, Higgs boson measurements, effective field theory interpretations, direct searches for new physics, heavy flavor physics, direct dark matter detection, world averages, and beyond the Standard Model global fits -- we illustrate how detailed information on the statistical modelling can enhance the short- and long-term impact of experimental results.

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arXiv2021

Effective Theories for Quark Flavour Physics

The purpose of these lectures is to provide the reader with an idea of how we can probe New Physics with quark flavour observables using effective theory techniques. After giving a concise review of the quark flavour structure of the Standard Model, we introduce the effective Hamiltonian for quark weak decays. We then consider the effective Hamiltonian for $ΔF=2$ transitions in the Standard Model and beyond. We discuss how meson-antimeson mixing and CP violation can be described in terms of the $ΔF=1$ and $ΔF=2$ effective Hamiltonians. Finally we present the Unitarity Triangle Analysis and discuss how very stringent constraints on New Physics can be obtained from $ΔF=2$ processes.

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arXiv2021

Dispersive and Absorptive CP Violation in $D^0- \overline{D^0}$ Mixing

CP violation (CPV) in $D^0-\overline{D^0}$ mixing is described in terms of the dispersive and absorptive `weak phases' $ϕ_f^M$ and $ϕ_f^Γ$. They parametrize CPV originating from the interference of $D^0$ decays with and without dispersive mixing, and with and without absorptive mixing, respectively, for CP conjugate hadronic final states $f$, $\bar f$. These are distinct and separately measurable effects. For CP eigenstate final states, indirect CPV only depends on $ϕ_f^M$ (dispersive CPV), whereas $ϕ_f^Γ$ (absorptive CPV) can only be probed with non-CP eigenstate final states. Measurements of the final state dependent phases $ϕ_f^M$, $ϕ_f^Γ$ determine the intrinsic dispersive and absorptive mixing phases $ϕ_2^M$ and $ϕ_2^Γ$. The latter are the arguments of the dispersive and absorptive mixing amplitudes $M_{12}$ and $Γ_{12}$, relative to their dominant ($ΔU=2$) $U$-spin components. The intrinsic phases are experimentally accessible due to approximate universality: in the SM, and in extensions with negligible new CPV phases in Cabibbo favored/doubly Cabibbo suppressed (CF/DCS) decays, the deviation of $ϕ_f^{M,Γ}$ from $ϕ_2^{M,Γ}$ is negligible in CF/DCS decays $D^0 \to K^\pm X$, and below $10\% $ in CF/DCS decays $D^0 \to K_{S,L} X$ (up to precisely known $O(ε_K)$ corrections). In Singly Cabibbo Suppressed (SCS) decays, QCD pollution enters at $O(ε)$ in $U$-spin breaking and can be significant, but is $O(ε^2)$ in the average over $f=K^+K^-$, $π^+π^-$. SM estimates yield $ϕ_2^M, ϕ_2^Γ= O(0.2\%)$. A fit to current data allows $O(10)$ larger phases at $2σ$, from new physics. A fit based on naively extrapolated experimental precision suggests that sensitivity to $ϕ_2^{M}$ and $ϕ_2^Γ$ in the SM may be achieved at the LHCb Phase II upgrade.

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arXiv2020

Lessons from the $B^{0,+}\to K^{*0,+}μ^+μ^-$ angular analyses

We perform an analysis within the Standard Model of $B^{0,+} \to K^{*0,+} μ^+ μ^-$ decays in light of the recent measurements from the LHCb experiment, showing that new data strengthen the need for sizable hadronic contributions and correlations among them. We then extend our analysis to New Physics via the Standard Model Effective Theory, and carry out a state-of-the-art fit of available $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ data, including possible hadronic contributions. We find the case of a fully left-handed operator standing out as the simplest scenario with a significance of almost $6σ$.

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arXiv2019

The DNNLikelihood: enhancing likelihood distribution with Deep Learning

We introduce the DNNLikelihood, a novel framework to easily encode, through Deep Neural Networks (DNN), the full experimental information contained in complicated likelihood functions (LFs). We show how to efficiently parametrise the LF, treated as a multivariate function of parameters and nuisance parameters with high dimensionality, as an interpolating function in the form of a DNN predictor. We do not use any Gaussian approximation or dimensionality reduction, such as marginalisation or profiling over nuisance parameters, so that the full experimental information is retained. The procedure applies to both binned and unbinned LFs, and allows for an efficient distribution to multiple software platforms, e.g. through the framework-independent ONNX model format. The distributed DNNLikelihood can be used for different use cases, such as re-sampling through Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques, possibly with custom priors, combination with other LFs, when the correlations among parameters are known, and re-interpretation within different statistical approaches, i.e. Bayesian vs frequentist. We discuss the accuracy of our proposal and its relations with other approximation techniques and likelihood distribution frameworks. As an example, we apply our procedure to a pseudo-experiment corresponding to a realistic LHC search for new physics already considered in the literature.

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arXiv2019

Model-independent Bounds on the Standard Model Effective Theory from Flavour Physics

Meson-antimeson mixing provides the most stringent constraints on baryon- and lepton-number conserving New Physics, probing scales higher than $10^5$ TeV. In the context of the effective theory of weak interactions, these constraints translate into severe bounds on the coefficients of $ΔF=2$ operators. Generalizing to the effective theory invariant under the Standard Model gauge group, valid above the electroweak scale, the bounds from $ΔF=2$ processes also affect $ΔF=1$ and even $ΔF=0$ operators, due to log-enhanced radiative corrections induced by Yukawa couplings. We systematically analyze the effect of the renormalization group evolution above the electroweak scale and provide for the first time the full set of constraints on all relevant dimension-six operators.

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arXiv2019

New Physics in $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ confronts new data on Lepton Universality

In light of the very recent updates on the $R_K$ and $R_{K^*}$ measurements from the LHCb and Belle collaborations, we systematically explore here imprints of New Physics in $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^- $ transitions using the language of effective field theories. We focus on effects that violate Lepton Flavour Universality both in the Weak Effective Theory and in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory. In the Weak Effective Theory we find a preference for scenarios with the simultaneous presence of two operators, a left-handed quark current with vector muon coupling and a right-handed quark current with axial muon coupling, irrespective of the treatment of hadronic uncertainties. In the Standard Model Effective Field Theory we select different scenarios according to the treatment of hadronic effects: while an aggressive estimate of hadronic uncertainties points to the simultaneous presence of two operators, one with left-handed quark and muon couplings and one with left-handed quark and right-handed muon couplings, a more conservative treatment of hadronic matrix elements leaves room for a broader set of scenarios, including the one involving only the purely left-handed operator with muon coupling.

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arXiv2018

Hadronic uncertainties in the $B\to K^*μ^+μ^-$ decay

Motivated by the persisting 'anomaly' in the measurement of $P_5^\prime$, we review hadronic uncertainties entering the angular observables of the decay $\bar B\to {\bar K}^*μ^+μ^-$. We argue that hadronic uncertainties could account for the present measurements. We discuss how to extract information on the non-factorizable hadronic contribution from experimental data exploiting its $q^2$ dependence and propose a parametrization optimized for this purpose. While no clear conclusion can be drawn with present experimental uncertainties, we show that future measurements should be able to pin down many hadronic parameters that we define in our parametrization.

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arXiv2017

Unitarity Triangle Analysis in the Standard Model and Beyond

Flavour physics represents a unique test bench for the Standard Model (SM). New analyses performed at the LHC experiments are now providing unprecedented insights into CKM metrology and new evidences for rare decays. The CKM picture can provide very precise SM predictions through global analyses. We present here the results of the latest global SM analysis performed by the UTfit collaboration including all the most updated inputs from experiments, lattice QCD and phenomenological calculations. In addition, the Unitarity Triangle (UT) analysis can be used to constrain the parameter space in possible new physics (NP) scenarios. We update here also the UT analysis beyond the SM by the UTfit collaboration. All of the available experimental and theoretical information on $ΔF=2$ processes is reinterpreted including a model-independent NP parametrisation. We determine the allowed NP contributions in the kaon, $D$, $B_d$, and $B_s$ sectors and, in various NP scenarios, we translate them into bounds for the NP scale as a function of NP couplings.

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