arXiv subjects

Patrick D. Bolton

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick D. Bolton.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Displaced Signals from Long-lived Particles in Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

Much of the literature on neutrinoless double beta ($0νββ$) decay with light new-physics mediators focuses on invisible missing energy. We investigate the scenario in which a massive Majoron-like particle $ϕ$ is produced on-shell during $0νββ$ decay and subsequently decays into visible final states after travelling a macroscopic distance. Specifically, we analyze the displaced energy deposition from $ϕ$ decays into a photon pair ($γγ$), a photon and a dark photon ($γγ_D$) and an electron-positron pair ($e^+e^-$). We demonstrate that the displaced decays modify the expected visible energy spectra and provide novel, distinct experimental signatures at current and upcoming $0νββ$ experiments, with the promise of improving the sensitivity of the standard invisible Majoron searches in $0νββ$ decay by more than two orders of magnitude. The relevant effective couplings can naturally arise in well-motivated ultraviolet-complete scenarios that conventional $0νββ$ decay searches cannot probe.

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arXiv2026

Probing $ν$SMEFT at Belle II with displaced dilepton vertices

The existence of right-handed (RH) neutrinos is strongly motivated by the observation of small neutrino masses and as a means to shed light on the origin of parity violation in the Standard Model (SM). Experimental searches for the corresponding mass eigenstates, referred to as heavy neutral leptons (HNLs), have been carried out in a variety of experiments and within different HNL models. In the current work we use the SM effective field theory with added RH neutrinos, known as $ν$SMEFT, to study GeV-scale HNL production in $e^+e^-$ collisions at the Belle~II experiment. We focus on leptonic decays of long-lived HNLs that produce a displaced vertex in the Belle~II detector. Accounting for detection efficiency and backgrounds, we estimate the sensitivity of Belle~II to the new-physics scale of four-fermion, Higgs-current, and dipole operators in $ν$SMEFT. We find that for most operators, the search we propose probes large regions of parameter space that are not excluded by other searches.

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arXiv2025

Dark light shining on $B\to K^{(*)} E_{\rm miss}$

Recent Belle II data on $B^+ \to K^+ E_{\rm miss}$ show an excess consistent with a two-body decay involving a light invisible particle with mass around $2.1\,\mathrm{GeV}$. We present a UV-complete explanation based on a Higgsed $U(1)'$ gauge symmetry with a light vector boson $Z'$ and a vector-like top partner, which naturally enhances $b \to s$ transitions. While the minimal model can reproduce the required $B \to K^{(*)} Z'$ rate, it is excluded by LHCb searches for resonant dimuon decays due to unavoidable loop-induced couplings of $Z'$ to charged leptons. We show that a minimal extension with an additional light $U(1)'$-charged singlet fermion allows $Z'$ to decay dominantly invisibly, evades existing constraints coming also from dark photon and collider searches as well as Higgs measurements, and can simultaneously account for the Belle II excess and the observed dark matter abundance through resonant thermal freeze-out.

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arXiv2025

Impact of new invisible particles on $B\to K^{(*)} E_{\rm miss}$ observables

Motivated by a recent Belle~II measurement that suggests an excess in the rare decay $B \to K\, E_{\rm miss}$, and building upon our recent differential decay rate likelihood analysis of the existing experimental information, we investigate possible new physics (NP) scenarios in which light invisible states participate in flavour-changing $b \to s$ transitions. In particular, we consider the total and differential $B\to K^* E_{\rm miss}$ decay rates and $K^*$ polarisation effects in each NP scenario preferred by the $B\to K E_{\rm miss}$ measurement. We show that future measurements of these $B \to K^* E_{\rm miss}$ observables will offer decisive discrimination among the different NP explanations. Our results highlight the strong complementarity of the rare semi-invisible $b$-hadron decay observables, and underline the importance of analysing their momentum transfer spectra when probing extensions of the Standard Model that feature new light degrees of freedom.

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arXiv2025

Constraining the SMEFT Extended with Sterile Neutrinos at FCC-ee

We investigate how extensions of the Standard Model (SM) involving heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) can be probed at FCC-ee, the proposed high-energy circular $e^+e^-$ collider. Using the effective field theory (EFT) approach, we determine the impact of new interactions on the production and decay of HNLs at FCC-ee. In particular, we consider $d\leq 7$ $ν$SMEFT operators which induce vector, scalar and tensor four-fermion and effective charged- and neutral-current interactions of HNLs, that may also mix with the active neutrinos of the SM. We consider sensitivities to the active-sterile mixing and EFT Wilson coefficients from monophoton searches and displaced vertex decay signatures. In both analyses, we consider the scenarios where HNLs are Majorana or Dirac fermions. We translate the upper bounds on the Wilson coefficients to lower limits on the scale of new physics.

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arXiv2025

Neutrino Theory in the Precision Era

This document summarises discussions on future directions in theoretical neutrino physics, which are the outcome of a neutrino theory workshop held at CERN in February 2025. The starting point is the realisation that neutrino physics offers unique opportunities to address some of the most fundamental questions in physics. This motivates a vigorous experimental programme which the theory community fully supports. \textbf{A strong effort in theoretical neutrino physics is paramount to optimally take advantage of upcoming neutrino experiments and to explore the synergies with other areas of particle, astroparticle, and nuclear physics, as well as cosmology.} Progress on the theory side has the potential to significantly boost the physics reach of experiments, as well as go well beyond their original scope. Strong collaboration between theory and experiment is essential in the precision era. To foster such collaboration, \textbf{we propose to establish a CERN Neutrino Physics Centre.} Taking inspiration from the highly successful LHC Physics Center at Fermilab, the CERN Neutrino Physics Centre would be the European hub of the neutrino community, covering experimental and theoretical activities.

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arXiv2025

Signatures of Light New Particles in $B\to K^{(*)} E_{\rm miss}$

The recent Belle II observation of $B \to K E_{\rm miss}$ challenges theoretical interpretations in terms of Standard Model neutrino final states. Instead, we consider new physics scenarios where up to two new light-invisible particles of spin 0 up to 3/2 are present in the final state. We identify viable scenarios by reconstructing the (binned) likelihoods of the relevant $B \to K^{(*)} E_{\rm miss}$ and also $B_s \to E_{\rm miss}$ experimental analyses and present preferred regions of couplings and masses. In particular, we find that the current data prefers two-body decay kinematics involving the emission of a single massive scalar or a vector particle, or alternatively, three-body decays involving pairs of massive scalars or spin 1/2 fermions. When applicable, we compare our findings with existing literature and briefly discuss some model-building implications.

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arXiv2025

Hadron Collider Signatures of Lepton Number Violation in the Type II Seesaw Model

We examine the prospect of observing genuine lepton number violating (LNV) signals at hadron colliders in the context of the Type II seesaw mechanism. The model features smoking gun signals involving same-sign di-leptons and jets that may be the primary observable channel in certain regions of the parameter space. The flavour composition of final-state charged leptons in the minimal model is related to the origin of neutrino masses and is correlated with other rare processes, such as neutrinoless double beta decay. We review existing collider limits and provide sensitivity estimates from LNV signals at upcoming runs of the LHC, for zero and non-zero mass splittings between the scalar triplet components.

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arXiv2025

Probing the Nature of Heavy Neutral Leptons in Direct Searches and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

Heavy Neutral Leptons (HNLs) are a popular extension of the Standard Model to explain the lightness of neutrino masses and the matter-antimatter asymmetry through leptogenesis. Future direct searches, such as fixed target setups like DUNE, and neutrinoless double beta decay are both expected to probe the regime of active-sterile neutrino mixing in a standard Seesaw scenario of neutrino mass generation for HNL masses around m_N <~ 1 GeV. Motivated by this, we analyse the complementarity between future direct searches and neutrinoless double beta decay to probe the nature of HNLs, i.e., whether they are Majorana or quasi-Dirac states, and CP-violating phases in the sterile neutrino sector. Following an analytic discussion of the complementarity, we implement a generic fixed target experiment modelling DUNE. We perform a statistical study in how a combined search for HNLs in direct searches and neutrinoless double beta decay, using DUNE and LEGEND-1000 as representative examples, can probe the nature of sterile neutrinos.

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arXiv2024

Probing Heavy Neutrino Magnetic Moments at the LHC using Long-Lived Particle Searches

We explore long-lived particle (LLP) searches using non-pointing photons at the LHC as a probe for sterile-to-sterile and active-to-sterile transition magnetic dipole moments of sterile neutrinos. We consider heavy sterile neutrinos with masses ranging from a few~GeV to several hundreds of GeV. We discuss transition magnetic dipole moments using the Standard Model effective field theory and low-energy effective field theory extended by sterile neutrinos ($N_R$SMEFT and $N_R$LEFT) and also provide a simplified UV-complete model example. LLP searches at the LHC using non-pointing photons will probe sterile-to-sterile dipole moments two orders of magnitude below the current best constraints from LEP, while an unprecedented sensitivity to sterile neutrino mass of about 700 GeV is expected for active-to-sterile dipole moments. For the UV model example with one-loop transition magnetic moments, the searches for charged lepton flavour violating processes in synergy with LLP searches at the LHC can probe new physics at several TeV mass scales and provide valuable insights into the lepton flavour structure of new physics couplings.

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arXiv2022

Probing Active-Sterile Neutrino Transition Magnetic Moments with Photon Emission from CE$ν$NS

In the presence of transition magnetic moments between active and sterile neutrinos, the search for a Primakoff upscattering process at coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS) experiments can provide stringent constraints on the neutrino magnetic moment. We show that a radiative upscattering process with an emitted photon in the final state can induce a novel coincidence signal at CE$ν$NS experiments that can also probe neutrino transition magnetic moments beyond existing limits. Furthermore, the differential distributions for such a radiative mode can also potentially be sensitive to the Dirac vs. Majorana nature of the sterile state mediating the process. This can provide valuable insights into the nature and mass generation mechanism of the light active neutrinos.

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arXiv2022

Probes of Heavy Sterile Neutrinos

We review probes of heavy sterile neutrinos, focusing on direct experimental searches and neutrinoless double beta decay. Working in a phenomenological parametrization, we emphasize the importance of the nature of sterile neutrinos in interpreting neutrinoless double beta decay searches. While current constraints on the active-sterile neutrino mixing are already stringent, we highlight planned future efforts that will probe regimes motivated by the lightness of active neutrinos.

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arXiv2022

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay via Light Neutralinos in R-Parity Violating Supersymmetry

We perform a study of neutrinoless double beta ($0νββ$) decay mediated by the lightest neutralino of arbitrary mass in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) under the presence of R-parity violating trilinear interactions. In this scenario, the exchange of the lightest neutralino can result in $0νββ$ decay of either long-range or short-range behaviour, depending on the neutralino mass. Using nuclear matrix elements calculated in the Interacting Boson Model, we use an interpolation between the long- and short-range behaviours with an approximate formula. The non-observation of $0νββ$ decay is then used to place constraints on the supersymmetry parameter space, compatible with constraints from collider experiments. We compare these constraints to bounds from pion decays, CKM unitarity and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.

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arXiv2021

Two-Neutrino Double Beta Decay with Sterile Neutrinos

Usually considered a background for experimental searches for the hypothetical neutrinoless double beta decay process, two-neutrino double beta decay nevertheless provides a complementary probe of physics beyond the Standard Model. In this paper we investigate how the presence of a sterile neutrino, coupled to the Standard Model either via a left-handed or right-handed current, affects the energy distribution and angular correlation of the outgoing electrons in two-neutrino double beta decay. We pay particular attention on the behaviour of the energy distribution at the kinematic endpoint and we estimate the current limits on the active-sterile mixing and effective right-handed coupling using current experimental data as a function of the sterile neutrino mass. We also investigate the sensitivities of future experiments. Our results complement the corresponding constraints on sterile neutrinos from single beta decay measurements in the 0.1 - 10 MeV mass range.

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arXiv2020

Probing New Physics with Long-Range Neutrino Interactions: An Effective Field Theory Approach

We investigate forces induced by the exchange of two light neutrinos between Standard Model (SM) fermions in the presence of effective operators parametrising physics beyond the SM. We first set up a general framework in which we derive the long-range potential mediated by weakly interacting neutrinos in the SM, retaining both spin-independent and spin-dependent terms. We then derive neutrino-mediated potentials when there are vector, scalar and tensor non-standard interactions present as well as an exotic neutrino magnetic moment. Examining the phenomenology of such long-range potentials in atomic scale laboratory experiments, we derive upper bounds on the Wilson coefficients of the effective operators and compare these to those from processes such as charged lepton flavour violation.

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arXiv2020

Neutrinoless double beta decay versus other probes of heavy sterile neutrinos

We make a comparative study of the neutrinoless double beta decay constraints on heavy sterile neutrinos versus other direct and indirect constraints from both lepton number conserving and violating processes, as a sensitive probe of the extent of lepton number violation and possible interference effects in the sterile sector. We introduce a phenomenological parametrisation of the simplified one-generation seesaw model with one active and two sterile neutrino states in terms of experimentally measurable quantities, such as active-sterile neutrino mixing angles, CP phases, masses and mass splittings. This simple parametrisation enables us to analytically derive a spectrum of possible scenarios between the canonical seesaw with purely Majorana heavy neutrinos and inverse seesaw with pseudo-Dirac ones. We then go on to constrain the simplified parameters of this model from various experiments at the energy, intensity and cosmic frontiers. We emphasise that the constraints from lepton number violating processes strongly depend on the mass splitting between the two sterile states and the relative CP phase between them. This is particularly relevant for neutrinoless double beta decay, which is weakened for small mass splitting and opposite CP parities between the sterile states. On the other hand, neutrinoless double beta decay is especially sensitive for Majorana sterile neutrinos with masses around $0.1-10$ GeV.

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arXiv2019

Alternative formulation of left-right symmetry with $B-L$ conservation and purely Dirac neutrinos

We propose an alternative formulation of a Left-Right Symmetric Model (LRSM) where the difference between baryon number ($B$) and lepton number ($L$) remains an unbroken symmetry. This is unlike the conventional formulation, where $B-L$ is promoted to a local symmetry and is broken explicitly in order to generate Majorana neutrino masses. In our case $B-L$ remains a global symmetry after the left-right symmetry breaking, allowing only Dirac mass terms for neutrinos. In addition to parity restoration at some high scale, this formulation provides a natural framework to explain $B-L$ as an anomaly-free global symmetry of the Standard Model and the non-observation of $(B-L)$-violating processes. Neutrino masses are purely Dirac type and are generated either through a two loop radiative mechanism or by implementing a Dirac seesaw mechanism.

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arXiv2019

Probing nonstandard lepton number violating interactions in neutrino oscillations

We discuss lepton number violating processes in the context of long-baseline neutrino oscillations. We summarise and compare neutrino flavour oscillations in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, both for standard oscillations and for those that violate lepton number. When the active neutrinos are Majorana in nature, the required helicity reversal gives a strong suppression by the neutrino mass over the energy, $(m_ν/E_ν)^{2}$. Instead, the presence of non-standard lepton number violating interactions incorporating right-handed lepton currents at production or detection alleviate the mass suppression while also factorising the oscillation probability from the total rate. Such interactions arise from dimension-six operators in the low energy effective field theory of the Standard Model. We derive general and simplified expressions for the lepton number violating oscillation probabilities and use limits from MINOS and KamLAND to place bounds on the interaction strength in interplay with the unknown Majorana phases in neutrino mixing. We compare the bounds with those from neutrinoless double beta decay and other microscopic lepton number violating processes and outline the requirements for future short- and long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments to improve on the existing bounds.

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