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Ryoutaro Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Ryoutaro Watanabe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

$|V_{cb}|$ determinations from $\bar{B} \to D^{(*)} \ell \barν$ decays within the SM and beyond

We investigate the $|V_{cb}|$ determinations from exclusive semi-leptonic $\bar{B} \to D^{(*)}\ell\barν$ decays, together with comprehensive fit analyses of the $\bar{B} \to D^{(*)}$ transition form-factors, by taking into account recent updates of experimental distribution data and theoretical evaluations. Several commonly adopted form-factor parameterizations, including BSZ, BGL and HQET, have been considered under different fit scenarios. We compare the fitted values and study how the $|V_{cb}|$ determinations depend on the form-factor parameterizations and on the treatment of the experimental inputs. In particular, we reproduce the official PDG average of $|V_{cb}|$ with the BGL parameterization, while the HQET parameterization tends to give a smaller value of $|V_{cb}|$. We also consider new-physics effects that can contribute to $\bar{B} \to D^{(*)}\ell\barν$, and examine whether non-zero new-physics contributions are still allowed by the current data.

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arXiv2026

Semileptonic sum rules in heavy-to-light charm decays

We investigate semileptonic sum rules in heavy-to-light charm decays, motivated by analogous relations in $b \to c$ and $b \to u$ transitions. Focusing on the $c \to d\overline{\ell}ν$ decays, $D \to π\overline{\ell}ν$, $D \to ρ\overline{\ell}ν$, and $Λ_c \to n\overline{\ell}ν$, we examine a relation among their lepton-flavor universality ratios $R_H^{μe}$. Although the charm sum rule is less precise than the relations in bottom-hadron decays, current low-energy and high-$p_T$ constraints on new physics restrict the actual deviation from the relation to below the percent level. The relation can therefore provide a useful consistency check of charm semileptonic measurements. As an application, we derive a prediction for the yet-unmeasured ratio $R_n^{μe}$ in $Λ_c \to n\overline{\ell}ν$.

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arXiv2026

$b \to c$ semileptonic sum rule: Extension to angular observables

Lepton flavor universality is a key prediction of the Standard Model of particle physics and any violation of it immediately indicates the existence of new physics. Given the recent more than $4σ$ discrepancy in charged current semileptonic B meson decays and the absence of evident signals at the large hadron collider, independent cross-checks become invaluable. In this context, $b \to c$ semileptonic sum rules based on heavy quark symmetry are interesting since they allow us to check the consistency of experimental results. In this paper, we report newly found sum rules among angular observables of mesonic and baryonic $b\to c l \overlineν$ decays holding exactly in the large mass limit of heavy quarks. Moreover, we investigate corrections to the sum rule in realistic situations and discuss phenomenological implications.

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arXiv2026

$b \to c$ semileptonic sum rule: Current status and prospects

The $b \to c$ semileptonic sum rules provide relations between the decay rates of $B \to D^{(*)} τ\barν$ and $Λ_b \to Λ_c τ\barν$. Starting from the heavy quark and zero-recoil limits, we revisit the derivation of the sum rule for total decay rates. We then examine deviations from the limits and investigate corrections arising from realistic hadron masses and higher-order contributions to form factors, taking account of uncertainties. We show that these corrections are negligible compared to current experimental uncertainties, indicating that the sum rule is useful for cross-checking experimental consistency and testing the validity of the Standard Model predictions. In future, precise determinations of the form factors particularly for the tensor operator will be necessary to compare the sum rule predictions with $Λ_b \to Λ_c τ\barν$ data from the LHCb experiment and the Tera-Z projects.

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arXiv2026

Constructing heavy-quark sum rule for $b \to c$ meson and baryon decays

We study heavy-hadron semileptonic decays proceeding via $b \to c$ transition, such as $B \to D^{(*)}τ\barν_τ$ and $Λ_b \to Λ_cτ\barν_τ$. In the heavy-quark limit, where the heavy-quark symmetry holds, we provide a fundamental framework for heavy-quark sum rules among these decays based on the spin decomposition picture. The relation holds directly for the squared amplitudes without requiring phase-space integration. We then apply this relation to reproduce the sum rule among $B \to D^{(*)}τ\barν_τ$ and $Λ_b \to Λ_cτ\barν_τ$. Furthermore, we derive new sum rules for $Ω_b \to Ω_c^{(*)}$ transitions and those involving excited states, such as $B \to \{D_0^*,D_1^*\}$ and $B \to \{D_1,D_2^*\}$.

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arXiv2025

On sum rules for semi-leptonic $b \to c$ and $b \to u$ decays

The semi-leptonic $b \to c l ν$ processes are receiving a lot of attention, as the lepton flavor universality violation has been hinted by the measured ratios $R_{D^{(*)}} = Γ(B \to D^{(*)} τν)/Γ(B \to D^{(*)} \ellν)$ for $\ell = e,μ$. Recently, it has also been pointed out that the baryonic counterpart, $R_{Λ_c} = Γ(Λ_b \to Λ_c τν)/Γ(Λ_b \to Λ_c \ellν)$, has a strong correlation with $R_{D^{(*)}}$, referred to as the R ratio sum rule in this paper. The correlation is almost independent of the new physics (NP) contributions and hence can predict $R_{Λ_c}$ from the measured $R_{D^{(*)}}$. On the other hand, we have fewer measurements and/or theoretical studies of the semi-leptonic $b \to u l ν$ processes, although the same arguments can be applied to the ratios $R_π$, $R_ρ$, and $R_p$ as above. Since these processes are measurable at the ongoing LHCb run-3 and/or Belle~II experiments, precise studies on them are important as well. In this paper, we obtain the semi-analytic formulae for all the aforementioned $R_X$ ratios in the presence of model-independent NP contributions by using the available lattice QCD and/or light-cone sum rule fits to the form factors. Two novel points are highlighted: (i) We evaluate uncertainties of $R_X$ including both the Standard Model (SM) and NP terms, inherited from the form factor fits, and discuss how the uncertainties affect the $R$ ratio sum rules. (ii) We obtain the R ratio sum rule among the semi-leptonic $b \to u l ν$ processes for the first time, which provides a complementary motivation for observing these processes. In addition, based on our model-independent results, we investigate how the different NP scenarios work in the $b\to c$ and $b\to u$ sectors and perform a combined study in the framework of SM effective field theory with specific flavor symmetries.

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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

Heavy quark symmetry behind $b \to c$ semileptonic sum rule

Lepton flavor universality violations in semileptonic $b \to c$ transitions have garnered attention over a decade. For $R_{H_c}={\rm{BR}}(H_b\to H_c τ\barν_τ)/{\rm{BR}}(H_b\to H_c \ell\barν_\ell)$ with $\ell$ being $e,\, μ$, a sum rule among $R_{D}$, $R_{D^*}$ and $R_{Λ_c}$ was proposed to check consistency in the experimental results independently of new physics models. We revisit this relation from the perspective of the heavy quark symmetry. We derive a sum rule holding exactly in the heavy quark limit and clarify how model-dependent corrections are introduced in a realistic situation.

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arXiv2024

Global fit to $b \to cτν$ anomalies as of Spring 2024

Recently, several new experimental results of the test of lepton flavor universality (LFU) in $B\to D^{(\ast)}$ semi-leptonic decays were announced: the first result of $R_{D}$ from the LHCb Run 1 data, the first results of $R_{D}$ and $R_{D^\ast}$ from the LHCb Run 2 data, and the first result of $R_{D^\ast}$ from the Belle II collaboration. Including these new data, a global analysis still prefers the violation of the LFU between the tau and light leptons. A new world average of the data from the BaBar, LHCb, Belle, and Belle II collaborations is $R_{D} = 0.342 \pm 0.026$ and $R_{D^{\ast}} = 0.287 \pm 0.012$. Including this new data, we update a circumstance of the $b \to c τ\overlineν$ measurements and their implications for new physics (NP). Incorporating recent developments for the $B \to D^{(\ast)}$ form factors in the Standard Model (SM), we observe a $4.4 σ$ deviation from the SM prediction. Our updates also include; model-independent NP formulae for the related observables; and the global fittings of parameters for leptoquark scenarios as well as single NP operator scenarios. Furthermore, we show future potential to indirectly distinguish different NP scenarios with the use of the precise measurements of the polarization observables in $B\to D^{(\ast)}τ\overlineν$ at the Belle II and the high-$p_{\rm T}$ flavored-tail searches at the LHC. We also discuss an impact on the LFU violation in $Υ\to l^+ l^-$.

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arXiv2024

Global fit to $b \to cτν$ anomalies 2022 mid-autumn

Recently, the LHCb collaboration announced a preliminary result of the test of lepton flavor universality (LFU) in $B\to D^{(\ast)}$ semi-leptonic decays: $R_{D}^{\rm LHCb2022} = 0.441 \pm 0.089$ and $R_{D^{\ast}}^{\rm LHCb2022} = 0.281 \pm 0.030$ based on the LHC Run 1 data. This is the first result of $R_{D}$ for the LHCb experiment, and its precision is comparable to the other $B$-factory data. Interestingly, those data prefer the violation of the LFU again. A new world average of the data from the BaBar, Belle, and LHCb collaborations is $R_{D} = 0.358 \pm 0.027$ and $R_{D^{\ast}} = 0.285 \pm 0.013$. Including this new data, we update a circumstance of the $b \to c τ\overlineν$ measurements and their implications for new physics. Incorporating recent developments for the $B \to D^{(\ast)}$ form factors in the Standard Model (SM), we observe a $4.1 σ$ deviation from the SM predictions. Our updates also include; model-independent new physics (NP) formulae for the related observables; and the global fittings of parameters for leptoquark scenarios as well as single NP operator scenarios. Furthermore, we show future potential to indirectly distinguish different new physics scenarios with the use of the precise measurements of the polarization observables in $B\to D^{(\ast)}τ\overlineν$ at the Belle II and the high-$p_{\rm T}$ flavored-tail searches at the LHC. We also discuss an impact on the LFU violation in $Υ\to l^+ l^-$.

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arXiv2023

Impact of $Λ_b\to Λ_cτν$ measurement on New Physics in $b\to c \, l ν$ transitions

Measurements of the branching ratios of $B \to D^{(*)}τ\barν/B \to D^{(*)}\ell\barν$ and $B_c\to J/ψ\, τ\barν/B_c\to J/ψ\, \ell\barν$ by the BaBar, Belle and LHCb collaborations consistently point towards an abundance of taus compared to channels with light leptons. However, the ratio $Λ_b \toΛ_c τ\barν/Λ_b \toΛ_c \ell\barν$ shows a relative deficit in taus. In this paper, we critically address whether data still points towards a coherent pattern of deviations, in particular in light of the sum rule relating these decays in a model-independent way. We find that no common new physics explanation of all ratios is possible (within $2σ$ or $1.5σ$, depending on the ${\cal R}(Λ_c)$ normalization to light lepton channels). While this inconsistency could be a statistical fluctuation, further measurements are required in order to converge to a coherent pattern of experimental results.

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arXiv2022

Testing Leptoquark/EFT in $\bar B \to D^{(*)} l\barν$ at the LHC

We investigate the current LHC bounds on New Physics (NP) that contributes to $\bar B \to D^{(*)} l\barν$ for $l = (e,μ,τ)$ by considering both leptoquark (LQ) models and an effective-field-theory (EFT) Hamiltonian. Experimental analyses from $l+\text{missing}$ searches with high $p_T$ are applied to evaluate the NP constraints with respect to the Wilson coefficients. A novel point of this work is to show difference between LQs and EFT for the applicable LHC bound. In particular, we find that the EFT description is not valid to search for LQs with the mass less than $\lesssim 10\,\text{TeV}$ at the LHC and leads to overestimated bounds. We also discuss future prospects of high luminosity LHC searches including the charge asymmetry of background and signal events. Finally, a combined summary for the flavor and LHC bounds is given, and then we see that in several NP scenarios the LHC constraints are comparable with the flavor ones.

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arXiv2022

Dark Matter abundance via thermal decays and leptoquark mediators

We explore a new mechanism for reproducing the Dark Matter (DM) abundance: scatterings of one DM particle on light Standard Model particles. Strong bounds on its decays can be satisfied if DM undergoes freeze-in and has a mass around or below the pion mass. This happens, for example, in theories with a right-handed neutrino interacting with charged fermions through a leptoquark exchange. These leptoquarks can be linked to the ones motivated by the B-physics anomalies if assumptions about the flavour structure are made. DM signals are unusual, with interesting possibilities for direct and indirect detection. Achieving thermal freeze-out instead requires models with more than one DM flavour, and couplings parametrically smaller than what needed by the usual pair annihilations.

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arXiv2022

Anomalies in charged-current $B$ decays

This paper reviews the recent progresses of the flavor and collider searches that can probe New Physics effects responsible for the current discrepancy in the lepton flavor universality ratio of $R_{D^{(*)}}$ between the experimental measurements and SM values.

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arXiv2022

Non-resonant new physics search at the LHC for the $b \to c τν$ anomalies

Motivated by the $b \to c τ\overlineν$ anomalies, we study non-resonant searches for new physics at the large hadron collider (LHC) by considering final states with an energetic and hadronically decaying $τ$ lepton, a $b$-jet and large missing transverse momentum ($pp \to τ_h \overline{b} + E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$). Such searches can be useful to probe new physics contributions to $b \to c τ\overlineν$. They are analyzed not only within the dimension-six effective field theory (EFT) but also in explicit leptoquark (LQ) models with the LQ non-decoupled. The former is realized by taking a limit of large LQ mass in the latter. It is clarified that the LHC sensitivity is sensitive to the LQ mass for $O(1)$ TeV even in the search of $pp \to τ_h \overline{b} + E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$. Although the LQ models provide a weaker sensitivity than the EFT limit, it is found that the non-resonant search of $pp \to τ_h \overline{b} + E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$ can improve the sensitivity by $\approx 40\%$ versus a conventional mono-$τ$ search ($pp \to τ_h + E_{\rm T}^{\rm miss}$) in the whole LQ mass region. Consequently, it is expected that most of the parameter regions suggested by the $b \to c τ\overlineν$ anomalies can be probed at the HL-LHC. Also, it is shown that $\text{R}_2$ LQ scenario is accessible entirely once the LHC Run 2 data are analyzed. In addition, we discuss a charge selection of $τ_h$ to further suppress the standard-model background, and investigate the angular correlations among $b,\, τ$ and the missing transverse momentum to discriminate the LQ scenarios.

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arXiv2022

Bayesian fit analysis to full distribution data of $\bar B \to D^{(*)} \ell\barν$: $|V_{cb}|$ determination and New Physics constraints

We investigate the semi-leptonic decays of $\bar B \to D^{(*)} \ell\barν$ in terms of the Heavy-Quark-Effective-Theory (HQET) parameterization for the form factors, which is described with the heavy quark expansion up to $\mathcal O(1/m_c^2)$ beyond the simple approximation considered in the original CLN parameterization. An analysis with this setup was first given in the literature, and then we extend it to the comprehensive analyses including (i) simultaneous fit of $|V_{cb}|$ and the HQET parameters to available experimental full distribution data and theory constraints, and (ii) New Physics (NP) contributions of the $V_2$ and $T$ types to the decay distributions and rates. For this purpose, we perform Bayesian fit analyses by using Stan program, a state-of-the-art public platform for statistical computation. Then, we show that our $|V_{cb}|$ fit results for the SM scenarios are close to the PDG combined average from the exclusive mode, and indicate significance of the angular distribution data. In turn, for the $\text{SM} + \text{NP}$ scenarios, our fit analyses find that non-zero NP contribution is favored at the best fit point for both $\text{SM} + V_2$ and $\text{SM} + T$ depending on the HQET parameterization model. A key feature is then realized in the $\bar B \to D^{(*)} τ\barν$ observables. Our fit result of the HQET parameters in the $\text{SM} (+T)$ produces a consistent value for $R_D$ while smaller for $R_{D^*}$, compared with the previous SM prediction in the HFLAV report. On the other hand, $\text{SM}+V_2$ points to smaller and larger values for $R_D$ and $R_{D^*}$ than the SM predictions. In particular, the $R_{D^*}$ deviation from the experimental measurement becomes smaller, which could be interesting for future improvement on measurements at the Belle II experiment.

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arXiv2019

$D^{\ast}$ polarization vs. $R_{D^{(\ast)}}$ anomalies in the leptoquark models

Polarization measurements in $\bar{B} \to D^{(\ast)} τ\overlineν$ are useful to check consistency in new physics explanations for the $R_{D}$ and $R_{D^{\ast}}$ anomalies. In this paper, we investigate the $D^{\ast}$ and $τ$ polarizations and focus on the new physics contributions to the fraction of a longitudinal $D^{\ast}$ polarization ($F_{L}^{D^{\ast}}$), which is recently measured by the Belle collaboration $F_{L}^{D^{\ast}} = 0.60 \pm 0.09$, in model-independent manner and in each single leptoquark model (${\rm R}_2$, ${\rm S}_1$ and ${\rm U}_1$) that can naturally explain the $R_{D^{(\ast)}}$ anomalies. It is found that $\mathcal{B}(B_c^{+} \to τ^{+} ν)$ severely restricts deviation from the Standard Model (SM) prediction of $F_{L, \textrm{SM}}^{D^{\ast}} = 0.46 \pm 0.04$ in the leptoquark models: [0.43, 0.44], [0.42, 0.48], and [0.43, 0.47] are predicted as a range of $F_{L}^{D^{\ast}}$ for the ${\rm R}_2$, ${\rm S}_1$, and ${\rm U}_1$ leptoquark models, respectively, where the current data of $R_{D^{(\ast)}}$ is satisfied at $1\,σ$ level. It is also shown that the $τ$ polarization observables can much deviate from the SM predictions. The Belle II experiment, therefore, can check such correlations between $R_{D^{(\ast)}}$ and the polarization observables, and discriminate among the leptoquark models.

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