arXiv subjects

Nico Gubernari

Publications and source records attributed to Nico Gubernari.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

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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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

$B\to P$ and $B\to V$ Form Factors from $B$-Meson Light-Cone Sum Rules beyond Leading Twist

We provide results for the full set of form factors describing semileptonic $B$-meson transitions to pseudoscalar mesons $π$, $K$, $\bar{D}$ and vector mesons $ρ$, $K^*$, $\bar{D}^*$. Our results are obtained within the framework of QCD Light-Cone Sum Rules with $B$-meson distribution amplitudes. We recalculate and confirm the results for the leading-twist two-particle contributions in the literature. Furthermore, we calculate and provide new expressions for the two-particle contributions up to twist four. Following new developments for the three-particle distribution amplitudes, we calculate and provide new results for the complete set of three-particle contributions up to twist four. The form factors are computed numerically at several phase space points using up-to-date input parameters, including correlations across phase space points and form factors. We use a model ansatz for all contributing $B$-meson distribution amplitudes that is self-consistent up to twist-four accuracy. We find that the higher-twist two-particle contributions have a substantial impact on the results, and dominate over the three-particle contributions. Our numerical results, including correlations, are provided as machine-readable ancillary files. We discuss the qualitative phenomenological impact of our results on the present $b$ anomalies.

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