arXiv subjects

Marzia Bordone

Publications and source records attributed to Marzia Bordone.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Lepton flavour violation in rare $Λ_b$ decays

Lepton flavour violation (LFV) naturally occurs in many new physics models, specifically in those explaining the $B$ anomalies. While LFV has already been studied for mesonic decays, it is important to consider also baryonic decays mediated by the same quark transition. In this paper, we study LFV in the baryonic $Λ_b \to Λ\ell_1 \ell_2$ using for the first time a full basis of New Physics operators. We present expected bounds on the branching ratio in a model-independent framework and using two specific new physics models. Finally, we point out the interplay and orthogonality between the baryonic and mesonic LFV searches.

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arXiv2021

Exploiting dijet resonance searches for flavor physics

In this work, we reinterpret ATLAS and CMS dijet resonance searches to set robust constraints on all hypothetical tree-level scalar and vector mediators with masses up to 5 TeV, assuming a diquark or a quark-antiquark coupling with an arbitrary flavor composition. To illustrate the application of these general results, we quantify the permissible size of new physics in $\bar B_q\to D_q^{(*)+} \,\{π, K\}$ consistent with the absence of signal in dijet resonance searches. Along the way, we perform a full SMEFT analysis of the aforementioned non-leptonic $B$ meson decays at leading-order in $α_s$. Our findings uncover a pressing tension between the new physics explanations of recently reported anomalies in these decays and the dijet resonant searches. The high-$p_T$ constraints are crucial to drain the parameter space consistent with the low-$p_T$ flavor physics data.

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arXiv2021

Lepton-flavour non-universality of $\bar{B}\to D^*\ell \barν$ angular distributions in and beyond the Standard Model

We analyze in detail the angular distributions in $\bar{B}\to D^*\ell \barν$ decays, with a focus on lepton-flavour non-universality. We investigate the minimal number of angular observables that fully describes current and upcoming datasets, and explore their sensitivity to physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) in the most general weak effective theory. We apply our findings to the current datasets, extract the non-redundant set of angular observables from the data, and compare to precise SM predictions that include lepton-flavour universality violating mass effects. Our analysis shows that the current presentation of the experimental data is not ideal and prohibits the extraction of the full set of relevant BSM parameters, since the number of independent angular observables that can be inferred from data is limited to only four. We uncover a $\sim4σ$ tension between data and predictions that is hidden in the redundant presentation of the Belle 2018 data on $\bar{B}\to D^*\ell \barν$ decays. This tension specifically involves observables that probe $e-μ$ lepton-flavour universality. However, we find inconsistencies in these data, which renders results based on it suspicious. Nevertheless, we discuss which generic BSM scenarios could explain the tension, in the case that the inconsistencies do not affect the data materially. Our findings highlight that $e-μ$ non-universality in the SM, introduced by the finite muon mass, is already significant in a subset of angular observables with respect to the experimental precision.

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arXiv2021

Heavy quark expansion of $Λ_b\toΛ^*(1520)$ form factors beyond leading order

I review the parametrisation of the full set of $Λ_b\toΛ^* (1520)$ form factors in the framework of Heavy Quark Expansion, including next-to-leading-order $\mathcal{O}(α_s)$ and, for the first time, next-to-leading-power $\mathcal{O}(1/m_b)$ corrections. The unknown hadronic parameters are obtained by performing a fit to recent lattice QCD calculations. I investigate the compatibility of the Heavy Quark Expansion and the current lattice data, finding tension between these two approaches in the case of tensor and pseudo-tensor form factors, whose origin could come from an underestimation of the current lattice QCD uncertainties and higher order terms in the Heavy Quark Expansion.

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arXiv2021

Constraining flavour patterns of scalar leptoquarks in the effective field theory

We investigate the viability of extending the Standard Model with $S_1$ and $S_3$ scalar leptoquarks when the flavour structure is parametrized in terms of Froggatt-Nielsen charges. In contrast to a similar analysis with a vector leptoquark, we find essentially two solutions for the charges that fit the experimental constraints, which are dominated by the current tensions in $B$ decays. These two scenarios differ in their estimate of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, $(g-2)$, but they both predict sizeable contributions to $τ\toμγ$, $\bar B_s\toτ^\pmμ^\mp$ and $B^+\to K^+τ^+μ^-$ decays, whose branching ratios are close to the current experimental limits.

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arXiv2021

The LFU Ratio $R_π$ in the Standard Model and Beyond

We discuss the possibility of performing precise tests of $μ/e$ universality in $B \toπ\ell^+\ell^-$ decays. We show that in wide regions of the dilepton invariant mass spectrum the ratio between muonic and electronic decay widths can be predicted with high accuracy, both within and beyond the Standard Model. We present numerical expressions which can be used to extract precise information on short-distance dynamics if a deviation from universality is observed in the data.

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arXiv2020

A puzzle in $\bar{B}_{(s)}^0 \to D_{(s)}^{(*)+} \lbrace π^-, K^-\rbrace$ decays and extraction of the $f_s/f_d$ fragmentation fraction

We provide updated predictions for the hadronic decays $\bar{B}_s^0\to D_s^{(*)+} π^-$ and $\bar{B}^0\to D^{(*)+} K^-$. They are based on $\mathcal{O}(α_s^2)$ results for the QCD factorization amplitudes at leading power and on recent results for the $\bar{B}_{(s)} \to D_{(s)}^{(*)}$ form factors up to order ${\cal O}(Λ_{\rm QCD}^2/m_c^2)$ in the heavy-quark expansion. We give quantitative estimates of the matrix elements entering the hadronic decay amplitudes at order ${\cal O}(Λ_{\rm QCD}/m_b)$ for the first time. Our results are very precise, and uncover a substantial discrepancy between the theory predictions and the experimental measurements. We explore two possibilities for this discrepancy: non-factorizable contributions larger than predicted by the QCD factorization power counting, and contributions beyond the Standard Model. We determine the $f_s/f_d$ fragmentation fraction for the CDF, D0 and LHCb experiments for both scenarios.

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arXiv2020

Heavy-Quark Expansion for $\bar{B}_s\to D^{(*)}_s$ Form Factors and Unitarity Bounds beyond the $SU(3)_F$ Limit

We carry out a comprehensive analysis of the full set of $\bar{B}_q \to D_q^{(*)}$ form factors for spectator quarks $q=u,d,s$ within the framework of the Heavy-Quark Expansion (HQE) to order $\mathcal{O}(α_s, 1/m_b, 1/m_c^2)$. In addition to the available lattice QCD calculations we make use of two new sets of theoretical constraints: we produce for the first time numerical predictions for the full set of $\bar{B}_s \to D_s^{(*)}$ form factors using Light-Cone Sum Rules with $B_s$-meson distribution amplitudes. Furthermore, we reassess the QCD three-point sum rule results for the Isgur-Wise functions entering all our form factors for both $q=u,d$ and $q=s$ spectator quarks. These additional constraints allow us to go beyond the commonly used assumption of $SU(3)_F$ symmetry for the $\bar B_s\to D_s^{(*)}$ form factors, especially in the unitarity constraints which we impose throughout our analysis. We find the coefficients of the IW functions emerging at $\mathcal{O}(1/m_c^2)$ to be consistent with the naive $\mathcal{O}(1)$ expectation, indicating a good convergence of the HQE. While we do not find significant $SU(3)$ breaking, the explicit treatment of $q=s$ as compared to a simple symmetry assumption renders the unitarity constraints more effective. We find that the (pseudo)scalar bounds are saturated to a large degree, which affects our theory predictions. We analyze the phenomenological consequences of our improved form factors by extracting $|V_{cb}|$ from $\bar B\to D^{(*)}\ellν$ decays and producing theoretical predictions for the lepton-flavour universality ratios $R(D)$, $R(D^*)$, $R(D_s)$ and $R(D_s^*)$, as well as the $τ$- and $D_q^*$ polarization fractions for the $\bar B_q\to D_q^{(*)}τν$ modes.

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arXiv2020

Effective Theory Approach to New Physics with Flavour: General Framework and a Leptoquark Example

Extending the Standard Model with higher-dimensional operators in an effective-field-theory (EFT) approach provides a systematic framework to study new-physics (NP) effects from a bottom-up perspective, as long as the NP scale is sufficiently large compared to the energies probed in the experimental observables. However, when taking into account the different quark and lepton flavours, the number of free parameters increases dramatically, which makes generic studies of the NP flavour structure infeasible. In this paper, we address this issue in view of the recently observed "flavour anomalies" in $B$-meson decays, which we take as a motivation to develop a general framework that allows us to systematically reduce the number of flavour parameters in the EFT. This framework can be easily used in global fits to flavour observables at Belle II and LHCb as well as in analyses of flavour-dependent collider signatures at the LHC. Our formalism represents an extension of the well-known minimal-flavour-violation approach, and uses Froggatt-Nielsen charges to define the flavour power-counting. As a relevant illustration of the formalism, we apply it to the flavour structures which could be induced by a $U_1$ vector leptoquark, which represents one of the possible explanations for the recent hints of flavour non-universality in semileptonic $B$-decays. We study the phenomenological viability of this specific framework performing a fit to low-energy flavour observables.

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arXiv2019

Theory determination of $\bar{B}\to D^{(*)}\ell^-\barν$ form factors at $\mathcal{O}(1/m_c^2)$

We carry out an analysis of the full set of ten $\bar{B}\to D^{(*)}$ form factors within the framework of the Heavy-Quark Expansion (HQE) to order $\mathcal{O}(α_s,\,1/m_b,\,1/m_c^2)$, both with and without the use of experimental data. This becomes possible due to a recent calculation of these form factors at and beyond the maximal physical recoil using QCD light-cone sum rules, in combination with constraints from lattice QCD, QCD three-point sum rules and unitarity. We find good agreement amongst the various theoretical results, as well as between the theoretical results and the kinematical distributions in $\bar{B}\to D^{(*)}\lbrace e^-,μ^-\rbrace\barν$ measurements. The coefficients entering at the $1/m_c^2$ level are found to be of $\mathcal{O}(1)$, indicating convergence of the HQE. The phenomenological implications of our study include an updated exclusive determination of $|V_{cb}|$ in the HQE, which is compatible with both the exclusive determination using the BGL parametrization and with the inclusive determination. We also revisit predictions for the lepton-flavour universality ratios $R_{D^{(*)}}$, the $τ$ polarization observables $P_τ^{D^{(*)}}$, and the longitudinal polarization fraction $F_L$. Posterior samples for the HQE parameters are provided as ancillary files, allowing for their use in subsequent studies.

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arXiv2018

Low-energy signatures of the $\mathrm{PS}^3$ model: from $B$-physics anomalies to LFV

The three-site Pati-Salam gauge model provides a consistent description for the hints of lepton-flavor non-universality observed in $B$ decays, connecting the present pattern of "anomalies" to the origin of the Standard Model Yukawa couplings. We present here a detailed analysis of the model predictions for a series of low-energy observables, mainly in $B$ and $τ$ physics. The model is in good agreement with present data and predicts a well-defined pattern of non-standard effects in low-energy observables that could allow us to test it in the near future. Particularly interesting are the predictions of large $τ\toμ$ Lepton Flavor Violating processes, such as $τ\to μγ$, $τ\to 3μ$, $B\to K τμ$, and $B_s\toτμ$. Also $μ\to 3 e$, $μ\to eγ$, and $K_L \to μe$ decays could be not far from the present exclusion bounds, although this conclusion is more model dependent.

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arXiv2018

Testing lepton flavour universality in semileptonic $Λ_b \to Λ_c^*$ decays

Lepton Flavour Universality tests with semileptonic $Λ_b\toΛ_c^*$ decays are important to corroborate the present anomalies in the similar ratios $R_{D^{(*)}}$, and can provide complementary constraints on possible origins of these anomalies beyond the Standard Model. In this paper we provide - for the first time - all the necessary theoretical ingredients to perform and interpret measurements of $R_{Λ_c^*}$ at the LHCb experiment. For this, we revisit the heavy-quark expansion of the relevant hadronic matrix elements, and provide their expressions to order $α_s$ and $1/m$ accuracy. Moreover, we study the sensitivity to the form factor parameters given the projected size and purity of upcoming and future LHCb datasets of $Λ_b\to Λ_c^*μ\barν$ decays. We demonstrate explicitly the need to perform a simultaneous fit to both $Λ_c^*$ final states. Finally, we provide projections for the uncertainty of $R_{Λ_c^*}$ based on the form factor analysis from semimuonic decays and theoretical relations based on the heavy-quark expansion.

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arXiv2018

A three-site gauge model for flavor hierarchies and flavor anomalies

We present a three-site Pati-Salam gauge model able to explain the Standard Model flavor hierarchies while, at the same time, accommodating the recent experimental hints of lepton-flavor non-universality in $B$ decays. The model is consistent with low- and high-energy bounds, and predicts a rich spectrum of new states at TeV scale that could be probed in the near future by the high-$p_T$ experiments at the LHC.

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arXiv2017

Probing Lepton Flavour Universality with $K \to πν\barν$ decays

We analyse the rare processes $K \to πν\barν$ in view of the recent hints of violations of Lepton Flavour Universality (LFU) observed in B meson decays. If, as suggested by present data, the new interactions responsible for LFU violations couple mainly to the third generation of left-handed fermions, $K \to πν\barν$ decays turn out to be particularly interesting: these are the only kaon decays with third-generation leptons (the $τ$ neutrinos) in the final state. In order to relate B-physics anomalies and K decays we adopt an Effective Field Theory approach, assuming that the new interactions satisfy an approximate $U(2)_q\times U(2)_\ell$ flavour symmetry. In this framework we show that O(1) deviations from the Standard Model predictions in $K \to πν\barν$ branching ratios, closely correlated to similar effects in $B \to K^{(*)}ν\barν$, are naturally expected. The correlation of $\mathcal{B}(K \to πν\barν)$, $\mathcal{B}(B \to K^{(*)}ν\barν)$, and the LFU violations in B decays would provide a very valuable tool to shed more light on this interesting phenomenon.

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arXiv2017

On the Standard Model predictions for $R_K$ and $R_{K^*}$

We evaluate the impact of radiative corrections in the ratios $Γ[B\to M μ^+μ^-]/Γ[B\to M e^+e^-]$ when the meson $M$ is a $K$ or a $K^*$. Employing the cuts on $m^2_{\ell\ell}$ and the reconstructed $B$-meson mass presently applied by the LHCb Collaboration, such corrections do not exceed a few $\%$. Moreover, their effect is well described (and corrected for) by existing Montecarlo codes. Our analysis reinforces the interest of these observables as clean probe of physics beyond the Standard Model.

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arXiv2017

Semi-leptonic $B$-physics anomalies: a general EFT analysis within $U(2)^n$ flavor symmetry

We analyse the recent hints of Lepton Flavor Universality violations in semi-leptonic $B$ decays within a general EFT based on a $U(2)^n$ flavor symmetry acting on the light generations of SM fermions. We analyse in particular the consistency of these anomalies with the tight constraints on various low-energy observables in $B$ and $τ$ physics. We show that, with a moderate fine-tuning, a consistent picture for all low-energy observables can be obtained under the additional dynamical assumption that the NP sector is coupled preferentially to third generation SM fermions. We discuss how this dynamical assumption can be implemented in general terms within the EFT, and we identify a series of observables in $τ$ decays which could provide further evidences of this NP framework.

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arXiv2016

Massive vectors and loop observables: the $g-2$ case

We discuss the use of massive vectors for the interpretation of some recent experimental anomalies, with special attention to the muon $g-2$. We restrict our discussion to the case where the massive vector is embedded into a spontaneously broken gauge symmetry, so that the predictions are not affected by the choice of an arbitrary energy cut-off. Extended gauge symmetries, however, typically impose strong constraints on the mass of the new vector boson and for the muon $g-2$ they basically rule out, barring the case of abelian gauge extensions, the explanation of the discrepancy in terms of a single vector extension of the standard model. We finally comment on the use of massive vectors for $B$-meson decay and di-photon anomalies.

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arXiv2016

Impact of leptonic $τ$ decays on the distribution of $B \to P μ\barν$ decays

We calculate the fully-differential rate of the decays $B\to Pτ(\to μ\barνν)\barν$ where $P = D,π$, which is a background to the semimuonic decays $B\to Pμ\barν$. The decays with a $3ν$ final state can have a sizeable impact on the experimental analyses of the ratios $R_D$ and $R_π$, depending on the event selection in the analysis. We outline a strategy which permits the extraction of $R_P \mathcal{B}(τ\to μ\barνν)$ from the neutrino-inclusive rate. Our analytic results can also be used to test both existing and upcoming experimental analyses. We further provide Monte Carlo samples of the 5D rate of the neutrino-inclusive decays $B\to PμX_{\barν}$.

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