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Sébastien Descotes-Genon

Publications and source records attributed to Sébastien Descotes-Genon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A dispersive approach to the CP conserving $K\toπ\ell^+\ell^-$ radiative decays

We reconsider the constraints on the form factors $W_+ (s)$ and $W_S (s)$, describing the radiative decay modes $K^+\toπ^+ \ell^+\ell^-$ and $K_S\toπ^0 \ell^+\ell^-$, associated with the general properties of analyticity and unitarity. Starting from the simple consideration of the asymptotic behaviours of the two combinations $2 W_+ (s) - W_S (s)$ and $W_+ (s) + W_S (s)$, we derive a minimal pair of dispersive representations which involves only two free parameters. An important input for these representations consists of the $K\to3π$ decay amplitudes, for which we use a set of solutions of the Khuri-Treiman equations obtained recently. These solutions provide an extrapolation from the physical $K\to3π$ decay region up to the resonant $Kπ\toππ$ scattering regions. We show that the experimental energy dependence of $|W_+|^2$ can be well reproduced and that the sign of $W_+$ is unambiguously determined. We also show that the yet unknown $Δ{I}=1/2$ part of the $K_S\to π^+ π^- π^0$ amplitude can be determined from the value of $W_+(0) + W_S(0)$. The possibility of fixing the sign of $W_S(0)$ using experimental data on both $|W_+|^2$ and $|W_S|^2$ is discussed.

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Dispersive description of the $K \to π\ell^+ \ell^-$ radiative amplitudes

We propose a description of the $K^+$, $K_S$ radiative decay form factors $W_+$, $W_S$ based on general properties of analyticity and unitarity. Starting from the simple consideration of the asymptotic behaviour of the two combinations $2W_+-W_S$ and $W_+ +W_S$ we derive a dispersive representation involving only two parameters. Using the rich experimental information on the $K\to3π$ amplitudes, extended beyond the low energy region using the Khuri-Treiman formalism, we show that the sign of the $W_+$ form factor is unambiguously determined and its energy dependence can be well reproduced. We also show that the yet unknown $Δ{I}=1/2$ part of the $K_S \to π^+π^-π^0$ can be determined from the value of $W_+(0)+W_S(0)$. The possibility of fixing the sign of $W_S$ from experiment is discussed.

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Flavor Physics at the CEPC: a General Perspective

We discuss the landscape of flavor physics at the Circular Electron-Positron Collider (CEPC), based on the nominal luminosity outlined in its Technical Design Report. The CEPC is designed to operate in multiple modes to address a variety of tasks. At the $Z$ pole, the expected production of 4 Tera $Z$ bosons will provide unique and highly precise measurements of $Z$ boson couplings, while the substantial number of boosted heavy-flavored quarks and leptons produced in clean $Z$ decays will facilitate investigations into their flavor physics with unprecedented precision. We investigate the prospects of measuring various physics benchmarks and discuss their implications for particle theories and phenomenological models. Our studies indicate that, with its highlighted advantages and anticipated excellent detector performance, the CEPC can explore beauty and $τ$ physics in ways that are superior to or complementary with the Belle II and Large-Hadron-Collider-beauty experiments, potentially enabling the detection of new physics at energy scales of 10 TeV and above. This potential also extends to the observation of yet-to-be-discovered rare and exotic processes, as well as testing fundamental principles such as lepton flavor universality, lepton and baryon number conservation, etc., making the CEPC a vibrant platform for flavor physics research. The $WW$ threshold scan, Higgs-factory operation and top-pair productions of the CEPC further enhance its merits in this regard, especially for measuring the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements, and Flavor-Changing-Neutral-Current physics of Higgs boson and top quarks. We outline the requirements for detector performance and considerations for future development to achieve the anticipated scientific goals.

hep-ex↗

Optimised observables and new physics prospects in the penguin-mediated decays $B_{d(s)}\to K^{(*)0}ϕ$

We study penguin-mediated $\bar{B}_{d(s)}\to\bar{K}^{*0}(K^{*0})ϕ$ transitions, proposing a new optimised observable $L_{K^*ϕ}$ from the ratio of the corresponding branching ratios of these decays, with limited hadronic uncertainties and enhanced New Physics sensitivity. It deviates by $1.48σ$ between its experimental value and SM determination within QCD factorisation. This can be accommodated together with significant deviations found in the $K^{(*)}\bar{K}^{(*)}$ modes in our earlier works if New Physics affects either the QCD penguin operator $Q_4$ or the chromomagnetic dipole operator $Q_{8g}$ for both $b\to d$ and $b\to s$ transitions. The allowed range for the Wilson coefficients $C_{4s,8gs}$ is narrower than $C_{4d,8gd}$ since the $b\to s$ transition channel $\bar{B}_d\to\bar{K}^{*0}ϕ$ is in better agreement with the SM. However, if we add the measured $\bar{B}_{d}\to \bar{K}^{0}ϕ$ branching ratio, simultaneous explanation of all experimental data for $K^{(*)}\bar{K}^{(*)}$ and $K^*(\bar{K}^{(*)})ϕ$ channels in terms of New Physics in $C_{4d,s}$ or $C_{8gd,s}$ only, is not possible. They can be explained more easily if we assume New Physics in both $f=d,s$ sectors. The addition of the branching ratios of the charged modes $B^-\to K^{(*)-}ϕ$ to the above mix of observables results in a reduction of the parameter space for the $(C_{4f},C_{6f})$ scenario, while discarding the $(C_{6f},C_{8gf})$ scenario completely. This is because of the discrepancy of more than 1 $σ$ between the experimental measurements of the branching ratios of the $\bar{B}_{d}(B^-)\to\bar{K}^0(K^-)ϕ$ transitions. This provides a strong incentive for the LHCb/Belle II experiments to measure the branching ratios of $\bar{B}_{d}\to\bar{K}^{(*)0}ϕ$, $\bar{B}_s\to K^{*0}ϕ$ and particularly $B^-\to K^-ϕ$ to confirm or dismiss the conclusions hinted at by present data.

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To (b)e or not to (b)e: No electrons at LHCb

We discuss the impact of the recent LHCb update on the two lepton-flavour universality ratios $R_K$ and $R_{K^*}$, and the CMS update of $B({B_s \to μ^+μ^-})$ regarding the possibility of New Physics in $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ decays. We perform global fits of the New Physics Wilson coefficients defined in the model-independent approach of the Weak Effective Theory at the $b$-quark mass. We discuss three different frameworks for this analysis: i) an update limited to the experimental data using the same theoretical framework as in earlier works, ii) a full update concerning both the experimental inputs and the theoretical framework, iii) an analysis without the LHCb results on electron modes. The comparison between these sets of results allows us to identify the differences stemming from the various components of the analysis: new experimental results, new inputs for the hadronic form factors, the role played by LHCb data on electron modes. As expected, the significance of all New Physics hypotheses gets reduced after the LHCb announcements on $R_{K^{(\ast)}}$ while the hypothesis of a lepton-flavour-universal contribution to the Wilson coefficient of the semileptonic $O_{9\ell}$ operators (possibly with a very small lepton-flavour-universality violating component) is reinforced. We also discuss the possibility of a long-distance charm-loop contribution through a mode-by-mode analysis and we find that the preferred values for the $\mathcal{C}_{9μ}$ Wilson coefficient are consistent throughout the different $b\to sμ^+μ^-$ modes and that there is no significant evidence of non-constant $q^2$ dependencies, which would indicate the presence of a long-distance charm-loop contribution beyond those already included.

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A dispersive study of final-state interactions in $K\toπππ$ amplitudes

A system of dispersive representations of the Omnès-Khuri-Treiman-Sawyer-Wali type for the final-state interactions in the amplitudes of the $K\toπππ$ weak transitions is constructed, under the assumptions that CP and isospin symmetries are conserved. Both the $ΔI = 1/2$ and $ΔI = 3/2$ transition channels are considered. The set of single-variable functions involved in these representations is identified, and the polynomial ambiguities in their definitions are discussed. Numerical solutions for the system of coupled integral relations satisfied by these functions are provided, and the determination of the subtraction constants in terms of the experimental information on the amplitudes in the decay region is addressed.

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Probing Lepton Flavor Violation in Meson Decays with LHC Data

In this letter, we use LHC data from the Drell-Yan processes $pp\to\ell_i\ell_j$ (with $i\neq j$) to derive model-independent upper limits on lepton-flavor-violating meson decays. Our analysis is based on an Effective Field Theory (EFT) approach and it does not require a specific assumption regarding the basis of effective operators. We find that current LHC data (140~$\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$) already provides competitive limits on $B(B\to πe τ)$ and $B(B\to πμτ)$ with respect to the ones obtained through experimental searches at the $B$-factories. Moreover, we derive upper limits on several decays that have not been searched for experimentally yet, such as $D^0\to eτ$ in the charm sector, and various semileptonic decays such as $B\to ρμτ$, $B_s\to K μτ$ and $B_s\toϕμτ$. Lastly, we discuss the validity of the EFT description of LHC data and the impact of loop corrections in our analysis.

hep-ph↗

A new puzzle in non-leptonic B decays

We propose a set of new optimized observables using penguin mediated $\bar{B}_d$ and $\bar{B}_s$ decays: ${\bar B}_{d,s} \to K^{*0} \bar{K}^{*0}$, ${\bar B}_{d,s} \to K^{0} \bar{K}^{0}$, ${\bar B}_{d,s} \to K^{0} \bar{K}^{*0}$ and ${\bar B}_{d,s} \to \bar{K}^{0} {K^{*0}}$ together with their CP conjugate partners. These observables are substantially cleaner than the corresponding branching ratios, which are plagued by large end point divergences. We find that the dominant contribution to the uncertainties of these observables stem from the corresponding form factors. The Standard Model estimates for these observables corresponding to the $K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$ and $K^0\bar{K}^0$ final states are in tension with their respective experimental numbers at the $\sim2.5 σ$ level. The pattern of deviations w.r.t these observables as well as the individual branching ratios suggest that a possible explanation might be new physics both in $b\to s$ and $b\to d$ transitions. We find that, taken one at a time, only the Wilson coefficients $C_{4d,s}^{NP}$ and $C_{8gd,s}^{NP}$ can potentially satisfy all the current experimental data on the branching ratios as well as the optimized observables. Furthermore, such observables involving mixed (pseudoscalar-vector) states like $K^{*0}\bar{K}^0$ etc show distinctive patterns sensitive to these different new physics explanations.

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Light-Cone Sum Rules for $S$-wave $B\to Kπ$ Form Factors

We derive a set of light-cone sum rules relating the $S$-wave $B\to K π$ hadronic form factors to the $B$-meson light-cone distribution amplitudes (LCDAs), taking into account the complete set of LCDAs up to and including twist four. These results complement the sum rules for the $P$-wave $B\to K π$ form factors obtained earlier. We then use the new sum rules to estimate the $S$-wave contributions to $B\to K π\ell\ell$ decays as a function of the $Kπ$ invariant mass. We pay particular attention to the fact that the $S$-wave $Kπ$ spectrum cannot be modelled by a sum of Breit-Wigner resonances, and employ a more consistent dispersive coupled-channel approach. We compare our predictions for branching ratios and angular observables with LHCb measurements in two different kinematic regions, around $K^*(892)$ and $K^*_0(1430)$. We observe an overall compatibility and discuss possible improvements of our model to obtain a better description of the $B\to Kπ$ form factors over a large kinematic range.

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On the impact of meson mixing on $B_s\toϕee$ angular observables at low $q^2$

Decays based on the $b\to sγ$ transition are expected to yield left-handed photons in the Standard Model, but could be particularly sensitive to New Physics contributions modifying the short-distance Wilson coefficients $\mathcal{C}_7$ and $\mathcal{C}_{7'}$ defined in the low-energy Effective Field Theory. These coefficients can be determined by combining observables of several modes, among which $B_s\toϕee$ at low $q^2$, in a kinematic range where the photon-pole is dominant. We investigate the impact of $B_s-\bar{B}_s$ mixing on the angular observables available for this mode, which induces a time-dependent modulation governed by interference terms between mixing and decay that are sensitive to the moduli and phases of $\mathcal{C}_7$ and $\mathcal{C}_{7'}$. These interference terms can be extracted through a time-dependent analysis but they also affect time-integrated observables. In particular, we show that the asymmetries $A_T^{(2)}$ and $A_T^{(\text{Im});CP}$ receive terms of potentially similar size from mixing-independent and mixing-induced terms, and we discuss how the constraints coming from the angular analysis of $B_s\toϕee$ at low $q^2$ should be interpreted in the presence of mixing.

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Prospects for $B^0_{(s)}\toπ^0π^0$ and $B^0_{(s)}\toηη$ modes and corresponding $CP$ asymmetries at Tera-$Z$

The physics potential of measuring $B^0_{(s)}\toπ^0π^0$ and $B^0_{(s)}\toηη$ decays via four-photon final states at Tera-$Z$ phase of CEPC or FCC-ee is investigated in this paper. We propose an electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL) with both high energy resolution and excellent separation power to efficiently reconstruct $π^0$ and $η$ from hadronic final states with high photon multiplicity. The resulting $B$-meson mass resolution is approximately 30 MeV, allowing 3 $σ$ separation between $B^0$ and $B_s^0$. With the assistance of the $b$-jet tagging, the relative sensitivities to $B^0\toπ^0π^0$, $B^0_s\toπ^0π^0$, $B^0\toηη$, and $B^0_s\toηη$ signal strengths at Tera-$Z$ are projected as 0.45%, 4.5%, 18%, and 0.95%, respectively. Their dependence on various detector performances is also discussed. In addition, $B^0\toπ^0π^0$ and its two isospin-related modes are paid special attention due to their roles in the determination of the CKM angle $α$ ($ϕ_2$). The anticipated precisions of their branching-ratio and $CP$-asymmetry measurements at Tera-$Z$ are evaluated. We show that the measurement of the time-integrated $B^0\toπ^0π^0$ $CP$ asymmetry at Tera-$Z$ is complementary to $B$-factory ones. The precision on $α$ combining $Z$- and $B$-factory results reaches $0.4^\circ$, lower than the systematic uncertainties attached to isospin breaking.

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Probing CP violation in exclusive $b \to s ν\bar ν$ transitions

We consider the time-dependent analysis of rare $B_d$ and $B_s$ decays mediated by $b\to s ν\bar ν$ transitions. The inclusion of time evolution allows us to construct novel observables with specific sensitivity to CP-odd phases in these processes. The sensitivity to CP violation of corresponding time-integrated measurements in presence of flavor-tagging is also explored. We provide precise predictions for these observables in the SM and explore their sensitivity to new CP-violating NP contributions at present and planned future $B$-physics experiments. As such, these observables provide unique probes of CP violation in $b \to s ν\bar ν$ transitions.

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$b\to s\ell\ell$ Global Fits after $R_{K_S}$ and $R_{K^{*+}}$

We present an up-to-date complete model-independent global fit to $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ observables that confirms patterns of New Physics able to explain the data. We include the recent LHCb measurements of $R_K$, $R_{K_S}$, $R_{K^{*+}}$, $B_s \to ϕμ^+μ^-$ and $B_s\toμμ$ in our analysis, which now includes 254 observables. This updates our previous analyses and strengthens their two main outcomes. First, the presence of right-handed couplings encoded in the Wilson coefficients $\mathcal{C}_{9'μ}$ and $\mathcal{C}_{10'μ}$ remains a viable possibility. Second, a lepton flavour universality violating (LFUV) left-handed lepton coupling ($\mathcal{C}_{9μ}^{\rm V}=-\mathcal{C}_{10μ}^{\rm V}$), often preferred from the model building point of view, accommodates the data better if lepton-flavour universal New Physics is allowed, in particular in $\mathcal{C}_{9}^{\rm U}$. We observe that the LFUV observable $Q_5$ offers a very interesting possibility to separate both types of scenarios.

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Prospects for New Physics searches with $Λ_b \to Λ(1520)\ell^+\ell^-$ decays

We present the prospects of an angular analysis of the $Λ_b \to Λ(1520)\ell^+\ell^-$ decay. Using the expected yield in the current dataset collected at the LHCb experiment, as well as the foreseen ones after the LHCb upgrades, sensitivity studies are presented to determine the experimental precision on angular observables related to the lepton distribution and their potential to identify New Physics. The forward-backward lepton asymmetry at low dilepton invariant mass is particularly promising. NP scenarios favoured by the current anomalies in $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ decays can be distinguished from the SM case with the data collected between the Run 3 and the Upgrade 2 of the LHCb experiment.

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Implications of $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ constraints on $b\to sν\barν$ and $s\to dν\barν$

We investigate the consequences of deviations from the Standard Model observed in $b\to sμμ$ transitions for flavour-changing neutral-current processes involving down-type quarks and neutrinos, under generic assumptions concerning the structure of New Physics. We derive the relevant Wilson coefficients within an effective field theory approach respecting the SM gauge symmetry, including right-handed currents and assuming a flavour structure based on approximate $U(2)$ symmetry, and only SM-like light neutrinos. We discuss correlations among $B \to K^{(*)} ν\bar ν$ and $K\to πν\bar ν$ branching ratios in the case of linear Minimal Flavour Violation and in a more general framework, highlighting in each case the role played by various New Physics scenarios proposed to explain $b\to sμμ$ deviations. This talk is based on arXiv:2005.03734.

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The time-dependent angular analysis of $B_d\to K_S\ell\ell$, a new benchmark for new physics

We consider the time-dependent analysis of $B_d\to K_S\ell\ell$ taking into account the time-evolution of the $B_d$ meson and its mixing into $\bar{B}_d$. We discuss the angular conventions required to define the angular observables in a transparent way with respect to CP conjugation. The inclusion of time evolution allows us to identify six new observables, out of which three could be accessed from a time-dependent tagged analysis. We also show that these observables could be obtained by time-integrated measurements in a hadronic environment if flavour tagging is available. We provide simple and precise predictions for these observables in the SM and in NP models with real contributions to SM and chirally flipped operators, which are independent of form factors and charm-loop contributions. As such, these observables provide robust and powerful cross-checks of the New Physics scenarios currently favoured by global fits to $b\to s\ell\ell$ data. In addition, we discuss the sensitivity of these observables with respect to NP scenarios involving scalar and tensor operators, or CP-violating phases. We illustrate how these new observables can provide a benchmark to discriminate among the various NP scenarios in $b\to sμμ$. We discuss the extension of these results for $B_s$ decays into $f_0$, $η$ or $η'$.

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Testing Lepton Flavour Universality in $Υ(4S)$ Decays

We propose a novel method to probe the persistent hints of Lepton Flavour Universality violation observed in semileptonic $B$ decays. Relying on the specific properties of the Belle II experiment, it consists in comparing the inclusive rates of $Υ(4S) \to e^\pm μ^\mp X$, $Υ(4S) \to μ^\pm τ_{\rm had}^\mp X$ and $Υ(4S) \to e^\pm τ_{\rm had}^\mp X$. We show that such a measurement can be directly related to the ratio $R(X)_{τ\ell} \equiv Γ(b\to X τν) / Γ(b \to X \ell ν)$ ($\ell=e$ or $μ$), once appropriate experimental cuts are applied to suppress the effects of neutral $B$ mixing and leptons emitted through charm or tau decays. Such a measurement would thus constitute an additional and potentially competitive probe of Lepton Flavour Universality in $b\to c\ellν$ transitions, complementary to existing exclusive measurements, accessible in the Belle II environment.

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A new $B$-flavour anomaly in $B_{d,s}\to K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$: anatomy and interpretation

In the context of the recently measured non-leptonic decays $B_{d}\to K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$ and $B_{s}\to K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$ we analyse the anatomy of the $L_{VV}$ observable that compares the longitudinal components of $B_s \to VV$ and $B_d \to VV$ decays. This observable is cleaner than the longitudinal polarisation fraction as it is afflicted only at subleading order in a $1/m_b$ expansion by the theoretical uncertainties arising in the transverse components entering the polarisation fraction. Focusing on the particular case of $B_{d}\to K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$ and $B_{s}\to K^{*0}\bar{K}^{*0}$, we discuss the main sources of hadronic uncertainty in the SM. We find for the SM prediction $L_{K^*\bar{K}^*}=19.5^{+9.3}_{-6.8}$, which implies a $2.6σ$ tension with respect to the most recent data, pointing to a deficit in the $b \to s$ transition of the non-leptonic decay versus the corresponding $b \to d$ transition. We discuss possible New Physics explanations for this deviation, first at the level of the Weak Effective Theory and we identify that the two Wilson coefficients ${\cal C}_{4}$ and ${\cal C}_{8g}$ can play a central role in explaining this anomaly. Finally, we briefly explore two different simplified New Physics models which can explain the anomaly through a contribution either in ${\cal C}_4$ (Kaluza-Klein gluon) or in ${\cal C}_{8g}$, with a significant amount of fine tuning, but possible connections to the $b \to s \ell \ell$ anomalies.

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