arXiv subjects

Mariana Frank

Publications and source records attributed to Mariana Frank.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Leptogenesis from a feebly interacting dark matter sector

We perform an analysis of leptogenesis in the context of a simple extension of the Standard Model by two fermions; one charged ($χ$) and one neutral ($ψ$), in addition to three right-handed neutrinos, $N_i$, interacting through a charged gauge singlet scalar $S$. The dark sector ($χ$, $ψ$ and $S$) interacts feebly and produces a relic density consistent with measurements. The decay of right-handed neutrinos into the charged scalar $S$ and lepton provides an additional source of CP asymmetry, along with contributing through the virtual exchange of $S$ in the standard decay channel. With this the out-of-equilibrium decay of right-handed neutrinos, combined with lepton number changing scattering processes can generate the required baryon asymmetry of the universe even for right-handed neutrino masses in 10 TeV region, without requiring neutrinos to have degenerate masses.

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arXiv2021

Cross-fertilising extra gauge boson searches at the LHC

For the purpose of cross-fertilising currently separate experimental approaches, we connect results of LHC analyses attempting to access the properties of additional $W^\prime$ and $Z^\prime$ bosons from Drell-Yan processes. Under theoretical assumptions linking the two new gauge bosons, we take into account that such possible states of nature are wide enough (in relation to the leptonic mass resolution) for the corresponding signals be significantly affected by interference effects with the background from the Standard Model. The shape of the differential cross section may then no longer be a standard Breit-Wigner distribution, and asymmetry observables would become useful for characterisation (and, possibly, discovery) purposes. Under such conditions we concentrate our analysis on specific widely-studied models: the Sequential Standard Model, a model with an additional $SU(2)_L$ gauge symmetry, as well as standard and alternative realisations of the Left-Right Symmetric Model. We show how information gathered in $Z'$ boson searches in terms of cross section and/or asymmetry distributions can be used to improve $W'$ boson searches in terms of the LHC sensitivity, and {\it vice versa}.

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arXiv2021

Electron and muon magnetic moments and implications for dark matter and model characterisation in non-universal $U(1)^\prime$ supersymmetric models

We attribute deviations of the muon and electron magnetic moments from the theoretical predictions to the presence of an additional $U(1)^\prime$ supersymmetric model. We interpret the discrepancies between the muon and electron anomalous magnetic moments to be due to the presence of non-universal $U(1)^\prime$ charges. In a minimally extended model, we show that requiring both deviations to be satisfied imposes constraints on the spectrum of the model, in particular on dark matter candidates and slepton masses and ordering. Choosing three benchmarks with distinct dark matter features, we study implications of the model at colliders, concentrating on variables that can distinguish our non-universal scenario from other $U(1)^\prime$ implementations.

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arXiv2021

Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment in Two Higgs Doublet Models with Vector-Like Leptons

We show that inclusion of a single generation of vector-like leptons in the Two-Higgs Doublet Models significantly enlarges the allowed parameter space consistent with the muon anomalous magnetic moment, as well as with other theoretical and experimental constraints. While previously $(g -2)_μ$ could only be resolved in Type-X scenario by requiring a light pseudoscalar Higgs boson and large $\tan β$, contributions of vector-like leptons via two-loop Barr Zee diagrams broaden the allowed parameter space, allowing $\tan β$ as low as 10 and pseudoscalar masses as large as $\cal{O}$(1 TeV) while fulfilling the stringent constraints from precision and flavor observable. Similar results are obtained for Type-II scenarios, but there the parameter space is more restricted by flavor observables.

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arXiv2020

Leptophobic $Z^\prime$ bosons in the secluded UMSSM

We perform a comprehensive analysis of the secluded UMSSM model, consistent with present experimental constraints. We find that in this model the additional $Z^\prime$ gauge boson can be leptophobic without resorting to gauge kinetic mixing and, consequently, also $d$-quark-phobic, thus lowering the LHC bounds on its mass. The model can accommodate very light singlinos as DM candidates, consistent with present day cosmological and collider constraints. Light charginos and neutralinos are responsible for muon anomalous magnetic predictions within 1$σ$ of the measured experimental value. Finally, we look at the possibility that a lighter $Z^\prime$, expected to decay mainly into chargino pairs and followed by the decay into lepton pairs, could be observed at 27 TeV.

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arXiv2020

Exploring $0νββ$ and Leptogenesis in the Alternative Left-Right Model

We investigate the possibility of neutrinoless double beta decay ($0νββ$) and leptogenesis within the Alternative Left-Right Model (ALRM). Unlike the usual left-right symmetric model, ALRM features a Majorana right-handed neutrino which does not carry any charge. Further, in this picture the down-type quark and the charged leptons receive mass through the additional left-handed scalar field, rather than the usual doublet. Together, these features conspire to generate significant contributions to the $0νββ$ through vector-scalar ($WH$) mediation. For moderate masses of the relevant charged Higgs boson ($M_{H_1^\pm}\sim 200$ GeV), the half-life of $T_{\frac{1}{2}}^{WH}$ is $\sim 3\times 10^{26}~{\rm yrs}$ for both the case of $^{76}$Ge and $^{136}$Xe, well within the sensitivity expected by future experiments. Invoking the resonant leptogenesis, CP violation arising from the right-handed neutrino decay could be the required order to generate the correct baryogenesis, $ε\sim 10^{-6}$, for small Dirac phases and without any fine tuning.

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arXiv2020

Reinterpreting the results of the LHC with MadAnalysis 5: uncertainties and higher-luminosity estimates

The MadAnalysis 5 framework can be used to assess the potential of various LHC analyses for unravelling any specific new physics signal. We present an extension of the LHC reinterpretation capabilities of the programme allowing for the inclusion of theoretical and systematical uncertainties on the signal in the reinterpretation procedure. We have implemented extra methods dedicated to the extrapolation of the impact of a given analysis to higher luminosities, including various options for the treatment of the errors. As an application, we study three classes of new physics models. We first focus on a simplified model in which the Standard Model is supplemented by a gluino and a neutralino. We show that uncertainties could in particular degrade the bounds by several hundreds of GeV when considering 3000 fb$^{-1}$ of future LHC data. We next investigate another supersymmetry-inspired simplified model, in which the Standard Model is extended by a first generation squark species and a neutralino. We reach similar conclusions. Finally, we study a class of s-channel dark matter setups and compare the expectation for two types of scenarios differing in the details of the implementation of the mediation between the dark and Standard Model sectors.

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arXiv2020

The left-right supersymmetric option at a high-energy upgrade of the LHC

We investigate the possibility that a minimal realization of left-right supersymmetry can be reachable at a high-energy upgrade of the LHC, expected to operate at a center-of-mass energy of 27 TeV. This minimal scenario has a relatively light $SU(2)_R$ doubly-charged Higgs boson, which could decay dominantly into tau-lepton pairs. We explore the associated signals comprised of at least three hadronically-decaying taus, or with at least two hadronic taus and one same-sign-same-flavor charged lepton pair. Our analysis shows that the former signature is challenging to use for getting handles on the signal due to the large corresponding background, and that the latter one can lead to a handful of new physics events in an almost background-free environment. We however find that a signal comprised of three hadronically-decaying tau leptons is likely to be observed at a low luminosity of proton-proton collisions at a 27 TeV upgrade of the LHC.

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arXiv2020

$E_6$ Motivated UMSSM Confronts Experimental Data

We test $E_6$ realisations of a generic $U(1)'$ extended Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (UMSSM), parametrised in terms of the mixing angle pertaining to the new $U(1)'$ sector, $θ_{E_6}$, against all currently available data, from space to ground experiments, from low to high energies. We find that experimental constraints are very restrictive and indicate that large gauge kinetic mixing and $θ_{E_6}\approx -π/3$ are required within this theoretical construct to achieve compliance with current data. The consequences are twofold. On the one hand, large gauge kinetic mixing implies that the $Z'$ boson emerging from the breaking of the additional $U(1)'$ symmetry is rather wide since it decays mainly into $WW$ pairs. On the other hand, the preferred $θ_{E_6}$ value calls for a rather specific $E_6$ breaking pattern different from those commonly studied. We finally delineate potential signatures of the emerging UMSSM scenario in both Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and in Dark Matter (DM) experiments.

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arXiv2020

Natural dark matter and light bosons with an alternative left-right symmetry

We perform a consistent analysis of the alternative left-right symmetric model emerging from $E_6$ grand unification. We include a large set of theoretical and experimental constraints, with a particular emphasis on dark matter observables and collider signals. We show that the exotic neutrino inherent to this class of models, the scotino, is a viable candidate for dark matter satisfying relic density and direct detection constraints. This has strong implications on the scotino mass restricting it to lie in a narrow window, as well as on the spectrum of Higgs bosons, rendering it predictable, with a few light scalar, pseudoscalar and charged states. Moreover, we also show that the extra charged $W'$ gauge boson can be light, and investigate the most promising signals at the future high-luminosity upgrade of the LHC. Our findings show that the most optimistic cosmologically-favoured scenarios should be observable at $5σ$, whilst others could leave visible hints provided the background is under good control at the systematical level.

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arXiv2020

Searching for Heavy Neutrinos with the MoEDAL-MAPP Detector at the LHC

We present a strategy for searching for heavy neutrinos at the Large Hadron Collider using the MoEDAL Experiment's MAPP detector. We hypothesize the heavy neutrino to be a member of a fourth generation lepton doublet, with the electric dipole moment (EDM) introduced within a dimension-five operator. In this model the heavy neutrino is produced in association with a heavy lepton. According to our current experimental and theoretical understanding, the electric dipole moment of this heavy neutrino may be as high as $10^{-15}$ $e$ cm. Taking advantage of the sensitivity of MoEDAL detector, we examine the possibility of detecting such a heavy neutrino in the MAPP as an apparently fractionally charged particle, via ionization due to the neutrino's EDM.

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arXiv2019

Dark matter and Collider signals in supersymmetric $U(1)^\prime$ models with non-universal $Z^\prime$ couplings

We analyse supersymmetric models augmented by an extra $U(1)$ gauge group. To avoid anomalies in these models without introducing exotics, we allow for family-dependent $U(1)^\prime$ charges, and choose a simple form for these, dependent on one $U(1)^\prime$ charge parameter only. With this choice, $Z^\prime$ decays into di-taus but not di-leptons, weakening considerably the constraints on its mass. In the supersymmetric sector, the effect is to lower the singlino mass, allowing it to be the dark matter candidate. We investigate the dark matter constraints and collider implications of such models, with mostly singlino, or mostly higgsinos, or a mixture of the two as lightest supersymmetric particles. In these scenarios, $Z^\prime$ decays significantly into chargino or neutralino pairs, and thus indirectly into final state leptons. We devise benchmarks which, with adequate cuts, can yield signals visible at the high-luminosity LHC.

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arXiv2019

Multileptonic signals of co-annihilating left-right supersymmetric dark matter

We perform a comprehensive dark matter analysis of left-right supersymmetric scenarios that includes constraints from dark matter direct and indirect detection experiments and that presents distinctive features from those available in minimal supersymmetry. We concentrate on dark matter candidates which, while satisfying all constraints, are different from those of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We consider in our analysis all possible co-annihilation channels relevant for setups in which several states are light and nearly degenerate, and devise a set of representative benchmark points, requiring co-annihilations, which satisfy all restrictions. We then study their consequent LHC signals, which exhibit promising new multileptonic signatures involving $W_R$, that if observed, would provide a strong support for left-right supersymmetry.

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arXiv2018

Relaxing LHC constraints on the $W_R$ mass

We study mass bounds of the $W_R$ gauge boson in generic left-right symmetric models. Assuming that the gauge bosons couple universally to quarks and leptons, we allow different gauge couplings $g_R \ne g_L$ and mass mixing, $V_{CKM}^L \ne V_{CKM}^R$ in the left and right sectors. Imposing constraints from collider experiments and $K^0$, $B_d$, $B_s$ physics, we investigate scenarios where $W_R$ is lighter, or heavier than the right handed neutrino $ν_R$. In these scenarios, $W_R$ mass bounds can be considerably relaxed, while $Z_R$ mass bounds are much more stringent. In the case where $M_{W_R} \le M_{ν_R}$, the experimental constraints come from $W_R \to tb $ and $W_R \to jj$ channels, while if $M_{W_R} \ge M_{ν_R}$, the dominant constraints come from $W_R \to \ell \ell jj $. The observed (expected) limits in the two-dimensional ($M_{W_R}$, $M_{ν_R}$) mass plane excluded at 95\% confidence level extend to approximately $M_{W_R}$= 3.1 (3.3) TeV in the $ee$ channel and 3.3 (3.4) TeV in the ($μμ$) channel, for a large range of right-handed neutrino masses up to $M_{ν_R}$= 2.1 (2.1) TeV in the $ee$ channel and 2.6 (2.5) in the ($μμ$) channel, representing a significant relaxation of the mass bounds.

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arXiv2018

Exploring vector-like supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model with dark matter and colliders

Motivated by grand unification considerations, we analyze a simple extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model with additional pairs of vector-like chiral supermultiplets. We focus on the so-called LND setup, which enlarges the particle content of the minimal model by two vector-like pairs of weak doublets (one pair of leptons and one pair of down-type quarks) and one vector-like pair of neutrino singlets. Imposing collider and low-energy constraints, sneutrinos and neutralinos both emerge as possible lightest supersymmetric particles and thus dark matter candidates. We perform a complete analysis of the dark sector and study the viability of these neutralino and sneutrino dark matter options. We show that cosmological considerations (the dark matter relic abundance and its direct and indirect detection signals) restrict neutralino dark matter to exhibit similar properties as in the minimal supersymmetric standard model, and impose the sneutrino dark matter candidate to be singlet-like, rather than doublet-like. Allowing the mixing of the fermionic component of the new supermultiplets with the Standard Model third generation fermions, we moreover demonstrate the existence of collider signals that are distinguishable from other, more minimal, supersymmetric scenarios by virtue of an enhanced production of events enriched in tau leptons. We furthermore show that this signature yields robust LHC signals, that could potentially be differentiated from the background in future data.

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arXiv2018

A minimal $U(1)^\prime$ extension of MSSM in light of the B decay anomaly

Motivated by the $R_K$ and $R_{K^*}$ anomalies from B decays, we extend the minimal supersymmetric model with a non-universal anomaly-free $U(1)^\prime$ gauge symmetry, coupling non-universally to the lepton sector as well as the quark sector. In particular, only the third generation quarks are charged under this $U(1)^\prime$, which can easily evade the dilepton bound from the LHC searches. An extra singlet is introduced to break this $U(1)^\prime$ symmetry allowing for the $μ$-term to be generated dynamically. The relevant constraints of $B_s-\bar{B}_s$ mixing, $D^0-\bar{D}^0$ mixing and the LHC dilepton searches are considered. We find that in the allowed parameter space this $U(1)^\prime$ gauge interaction can accommodate the $R_K$ and $R_{K^*}$ anomalies and weaken considerably the $Z^\prime$ mass limits while remaining perturbative up to the Planck scale.

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arXiv2018

Loopholes in $Z^\prime$ searches at the LHC: exploring supersymmetric and leptophobic scenarios

Searching for heavy vector bosons $Z^\prime$, predicted in models inspired by Grand Unification Theories, is among the challenging objectives of the LHC. The ATLAS and CMS collaborations have looked for $Z^\prime$ bosons assuming that they can decay only into Standard Model channels, and have set exclusion limits by investigating dilepton, dijet and to a smaller extent top-antitop final states. In this work we explore possible loopholes in these $Z^\prime$ searches by studying supersymmetric as well as leptophobic scenarios. We demonstrate the existence of realizations in which the $Z^\prime$ boson automatically evades the typical bounds derived from the analyses of the Drell-Yan invariant-mass spectrum. Dileptonic final states can in contrast only originate from supersymmetric $Z^\prime$ decays and are thus accompanied by additional effects. This feature is analyzed in the context of judiciously chosen benchmark configurations, for which visible signals could be expected in future LHC data with a $4σ-7σ$ significance. Our results should hence motivate an extension of the current $Z^\prime$ search program to account for supersymmetric and leptophobic models.

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arXiv2017

Exploring the supersymmetric U(1)$_{B-L} \times$ U(1)$_{R}$ model with dark matter, muon $g-2$ and $Z^\prime$ mass limits

We study the low scale predictions of supersymmetric standard model extended by $U(1)_{B-L}\times U(1)_{R}$ symmetry, obtained from $SO(10)$ breaking via a left-right supersymmetric model, imposing universal boundary conditions. Two singlet Higgs fields are responsible for the radiative $U(1)_{B-L}\times U(1)_{R}$ symmetry breaking, and a singlet fermion $S$ is introduced to generate neutrino masses through inverse seesaw mechanism. The lightest neutralino or sneutrino emerge as dark matter candidates, with different low scale implications. We find that the composition of the neutralino LSP changes considerably depending on the neutralino LSP mass, from roughly half $U(1)_R$ bino, half MSSM bino, to singlet higgsino, or completely dominated by MSSM higgsino. The sneutrino LSP is statistically much less likely, and when it occurs it is a 50-50 mixture of right-handed sneutrino and the scalar $\tilde S$. Most of the solutions consistent with the relic density constraint survive the XENON 1T exclusion curve for both LSP cases. We compare the two scenarios and investigate parameter space points and find consistency with the muon anomalous magnetic moment only at the edge of $2σ$ deviation from the measured value. However, we find that the sneutrino LSP solutions could be ruled out completely by strict reinforcement of the recent $Z^\prime $ mass bounds. We finally discuss collider prospects for testing the model.

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