arXiv subjects

S. Descotes-Genon

Publications and source records attributed to S. Descotes-Genon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Predictions of selected flavour observables within the Standard Model

This letter gathers a selection of Standard Model predictions issued from the metrology of the CKM parameters performed by the CKMfitter group. The selection includes purely leptonic decays of neutral and charged B, D and K mesons. In the light of the expected measurements from the LHCb experiment, a special attention is given to the radiative decay modes of B mesons as well as to the B-meson mixing observables, in particular the semileptonic charge asymmetries a^d,s_SL which have been recently investigated by the D0 experiment at Tevatron. Constraints arising from rare kaon decays are addressed, in light of both current results and expected performances of future rare kaon experiments. All results have been obtained with the CKMfitter analysis package, featuring the frequentist statistical approach and using Rfit to handle theoretical uncertainties.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Chiral dynamics with strange quarks in the light of recent lattice simulations

Several lattice collaborations performing simulations with 2+1 light dynamical quarks have experienced difficulties in fitting their data with standard Nf=3 chiral expansions at next-to-leading order, yielding low values of the quark condensate and/or the decay constant in the Nf=3 chiral limit. A reordering of these expansions seems required to analyse these data in a consistent way. We discuss such a reordering, known as Resummed Chiral Perturbation Theory, in the case of pseudoscalar masses and decay constants, pion and kaon electromagnetic form factors and Kl3} form factors. We show that it provides a good fit of the recent results of two lattice collaborations (PACS-CS and RBC/UKQCD). We describe the emerging picture for the pattern of chiral symmetry breaking, marked by a strong dependence of the observables on the strange quark mass and thus a significant difference between chiral symmetry breaking in the Nf=2 and Nf=3 chiral limits. We discuss the consequences for the ratio of decay constants F_K/F_pi and the Kl3 form factor at vanishing momentum transfer.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Anatomy of New Physics in B-Bbar mixing

We analyse three different New Physics scenarios for Delta F=2 flavour-changing neutral currents in the quark sector in the light of recent data on neutral-meson mixing. We parametrise generic New Physics contributions to B_q-Bbar_q mixing (q=d,s), in terms of one complex quantity Delta_q, while three parameters Delta_K^tt, Delta_K^ct and Delta_K^cc are needed to describe K-Kbar mixing. In Scenario I, we consider uncorrelated New Physics contributions in the B_d, B_s, and K sectors. In this scenario, it is only possible to constrain the parameters Delta_d and Delta_s whereas there are no non-trivial constraints on the kaon parameters. In Scenario II, we study the case of Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV) and small bottom Yukawa coupling and Scenario III is the generic MFV case with large bottom Yukawa couplings. Our quantitative analyses consist of global CKM fits within the Rfit frequentist statistical approach, determining the Standard Model parameters and the new physics parameters of the studied scenarios simultaneously. We find that the recent measurements indicating discrepancies with the Standard Model are well accomodated in Scenarios I and III with new mixing phases, with a slight preference for Scenario I that permits different new CP phases in the B_d and B_s systems. Within our statistical framework, we find evidence of New Physics in both B_d and B_s systems. The Standard-Model hypothesis Delta_d=Delta_s=1 is disfavoured with p-values of 3.6 sigma and 3.3 sigma in Scenarios I and III, respectively. We also present an exhaustive list of numerical predictions in each scenario. In particular, we predict the CP phase in B_s -> J psi phi and the difference between the B_s and B_d semileptonic asymmetries, which will be both measured by the LHCb experiment.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

The Two Higgs Doublet of Type II facing flavour physics data

We discuss tests of the charged Higgs sector of the Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) of Type II in the light of recent flavour physics data. Particular attention is paid to recent measurement of purely leptonic decays of heavy-light mesons, which depart more or less significantly from the Standard Model (SM) predictions. We derive constraints on the parameters of the 2HDM type II from leptonic and semileptonic $ΔF=1$ decays as well as loop processes ($b \to s γ$, $B\bar{B}$ mixing or $Z\to\bar{b}b$) sensitive to charged Higgs contributions. The outcome of this work is that while 2HDM Type II can fit individual observable through fine-tuning schemes, in a combined analysis it does not perform better than the SM by favouring a decoupling solution. Assuming that 2HDM Type II is realized in Nature, constraints on its parameters ($m_{H^+}$ and $\tan β$) are derived. A limit on the charged Higgs mass $m_{H^+} > 316 \; {\rm GeV}$ at $95\%$~CL is obtained irrespective of the value of $\tan β$. This limit is dominated by the $b\rightarrow s γ$ branching ratio measurement. All results have been obtained with the \ckmfitter\ analysis package, featuring the frequentist statistical approach \rfit\ to handle theoretical uncertainties.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Extracting CP violation and strong phase in D decays by using quantum correlations in psi(3770)-> D0\bar{D}0 -> (V1V2)(V3V4) and psi(3770)->D0\bar{D}0 -> (V1V2)(K pi)

The charm quark offers interesting opportunities to cross-check the mechanism of CP violation precisely tested in the strange and beauty sectors. In this paper, we exploit the angular and quantum correlations in the D\bar{D} pairs produced through the decay of the psi(3770) resonance in a charm factory to investigate CP-violation in two different ways. We build CP-violating observables in psi(3770) -> D\bar{D} -> (V_1V_2)(V_3 V_4) to isolate specific New Physics effects in the charm sector. We also consider the case of psi(3770) -> D\bar{D} -> (V_1V_2)(Kπ) decays, which provide a new way to measure the strong phase difference delta between Cabibbo-favored and doubly-Cabibbo suppressed D decays required in the determination of the CKM angle gamma. Neglecting the systematics, we give a first rough estimate of the sensitivities of these measurements at BES-III with an integrated luminosity of 20 fb^-1 at psi(3770) peak and at a future Super tau-charm factory with a luminosity of 10^35 cm^-2.s^-1.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

A note on renormalon models for the determination of alpha_s(M_tau)

The tau hadronic width provides a determination of the strong coupling constant alpha_s at low energies, since it can be related to a weighted integral of the Adler function in the complex energy plane. Using Operator Product Expansion, one sees that the sensitivity to alpha_s comes from the perturbative contribution, which can be obtained by integrating the perturbative expansion of the Adler function. Two different prescriptions proposed to perform this integral, called Fixed-Order Perturbation Theory and Contour-Improved Perturbation Theory (FOPT and CIPT), yield different results for the strong coupling constant. Recently, models for the Adler function based on renormalon calculus have been proposed to determine which of the two methods is the most accurate, by comparing the resulting asymptotic series with the true value of the integral. We discuss the assumptions of such ansatz and the determination of their free parameters. We show that variations of this renormalon ansatz can yield opposite conclusions concerning the comparison of CIPT versus FOPT, and that such models are not constrained enough to provide a definite answer on this issue or to be exploited for a high-precision determination of alpha_s(m_tau^2).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Three-particle contributions to the renormalisation of B-meson light-cone distribution amplitudes

We study light-cone distribution amplitudes of heavy-light systems, such as a B-meson. By an explicit computation, we determine how two-parton distribution amplitudes mix with three-parton ones at one loop: ϕ_+ is shown to mix only into itself, whereas ϕ_- mixes with the difference of three-parton distribution amplitudes Ψ_A-Ψ_V. We determine the corresponding anomalous dimension and we check the gauge independence of our result by considering a general covariant gauge. Finally, we comment on some implications of our result for phenomenological models of these distribution amplitudes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Renormalization of B-meson distribution amplitudes

We summarize a recent calculation of the evolution kernels of the two-particle B-meson distribution amplitudes $ϕ_+$ and $ϕ_-$ taking into account three-particle contributions. In addition to a few phenomenological comments, we give as a new result the evolution kernel of the combination of three-particle distribution amplitudes $Ψ_A-Ψ_V$ and confirm constraints on $ϕ_+$ and $ϕ_-$ derived from the light-quark equation of motion.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

Physics at BES-III

This physics book provides detailed discussions on important topics in $τ$-charm physics that will be explored during the next few years at \bes3 . Both theoretical and experimental issues are covered, including extensive reviews of recent theoretical developments and experimental techniques. Among the subjects covered are: innovations in Partial Wave Analysis (PWA), theoretical and experimental techniques for Dalitz-plot analyses, analysis tools to extract absolute branching fractions and measurements of decay constants, form factors, and CP-violation and \DzDzb-oscillation parameters. Programs of QCD studies and near-threshold tau-lepton physics measurements are also discussed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2008

The Determination of alpha_s from Tau Decays Revisited

We revisit the determination of alpha_s(m_tau) using a fit to inclusive tau hadronic spectral moments in light of (1) the recent calculation of the fourth-order perturbative coefficient K_4 in the expansion of the Adler function, (2) new precision measurements from BABAR of e+e- annihilation cross sections, which decrease the uncertainty in the separation of vector and axial-vector spectral functions, and (3) improved results from BABAR and Belle on tau branching fractions involving kaons. We estimate that the fourth-order perturbative prediction reduces the theoretical uncertainty, introduced by the truncation of the series, by 20% with respect to earlier determinations. We discuss to some detail the perturbative prediction and show that the effect of the incomplete knowledge of the series is reduced by using the so-called contour-improved calculation, as opposed to fixed-order perturbation theory which manifests convergence problems. The corresponding theoretical uncertainties are studied at the tau and Z mass scales. Nonperturbative contributions extracted from the most inclusive fit are small, in agreement with earlier determinations. Systematic effects from quark-hadron duality violation are estimated with simple models and found to be within the quoted systematic errors. The fit gives alpha_s(m_tau) = 0.344 +- 0.005 +- 0.007, where the first error is experimental and the second theoretical. After evolution to M_Z we obtain alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.1212 +- 0.0005 +- 0.0008 +- 0.0005, where the errors are respectively experimental, theoretical and due to the evolution. The result is in agreement with the corresponding NNNLO value derived from essentially the Z width in the global electroweak fit. The alpha_s(M_Z) determination from tau decays is the most precise one to date.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

B, D and K decays

With the advent of the LHC, we will be able to probe New Physics (NP) up to energy scales almost one order of magnitude larger than it has been possible with present accelerator facilities. While direct detection of new particles will be the main avenue to establish the presence of NP at the LHC, indirect searches will provide precious complementary information, since most probably it will not be possible to measure the full spectrum of new particles and their couplings through direct production. In particular, precision measurements and computations in the realm of flavour physics are expected to play a key role in constraining the unknown parameters of the Lagrangian of any NP model emerging from direct searches at the LHC. The aim of Working Group 2 was twofold: on one hand, to provide a coherent, up-to-date picture of the status of flavour physics before the start of the LHC; on the other hand, to initiate activities on the path towards integrating information on NP from high-pT and flavour data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Connecting B_d and B_s decays through QCD factorisation and flavour symmetries

We analyse B_{d,s} -> K(*)0 K(*)0 modes within the SM, relating them in a controlled way through SU(3)-flavour symmetry and QCD-improved factorisation. We propose a set of sum rules for such penguin-mediated decays to constrain some CKM angles. We determine B_s -> KK branching ratios and CP-asymmetries as functions of A_{dir}(B_d -> K0 \bar{K}0). Applying the same techniques to B_{d,s}-> K*0 \bar{K}*0, we outline strategies to determine the B_s mixing angle.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

pi-pi and pi-K scatterings in three-flavour resummed chiral perturbation theory

The (light but not-so-light) strange quark may play a special role in the low-energy dynamics of QCD. The presence of strange quark pairs in the sea may have a significant impact of the pattern of chiral symmetry breaking : in particular large differences can occur between the chiral limits of two and three massless flavours (i.e., whether m_s is kept at its physical value or sent to zero). This may induce problems of convergence in three-flavour chiral expansions. To cope with such difficulties, we introduce a new framework, called Resummed Chiral Perturbation Theory. We exploit it to analyse pi-pi and pi-K scatterings and match them with dispersive results in a frequentist framework. Constraints on three-flavour chiral order parameters are derived.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

How far can you go ? Surprises and pitfalls in three-flavour chiral extrapolations

The presence of strange sea quark pairs may have a significant impact of the pattern of chiral symmetry breaking : in particular large differences can occur between the chiral limits of two and three massless flavours (i.e., whether $m_s$ is kept at its physical value or sent to zero). We recall some indications of such a scenario in QCD, in relation with the peculiar dynamics of the scalar sector. We explain how this could affect the convergence of three-flavour chiral series, commonly used to extrapolate the results of lattice simulations. Finally, we indicate how lattice simulations with three dynamical flavours could unveil such an effect through the quark-mass dependence of light meson masses and decay constants.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2007

Low-energy pi-pi and pi-K scatterings revisited in three-flavour resummed chiral perturbation theory

Chiral symmetry breaking may exhibit significantly different patterns in two chiral limits: N_f=2 massless flavours (m_u=m_d=0, m_s physical) and N_f=3 massless flavours (m_u=m_d=0=m_s=0). Such a difference may arise due to vacuum fluctuations of s-bar{s} pairs related to the violation of the Zweig rule in the scalar sector, and could yield a numerical competition between contributions counted as leading order and next-to-leading in the chiral expansions of observables. We recall and extend Resummed Chiral Perturbation Theory (ReChPT), a framework that we introduced previously to deal with such instabilities: it requires a more careful definition of the relevant observables and their one-loop chiral expansions. We analyse the amplitudes for low-energy pi-pi and pi-K scatterings within ReChPT, which we match in subthreshold regions with dispersive representations obtained from the solutions Roy and Roy-Steiner equations. Using a frequentist approach, we constrain the quark mass ratio as well as the quark condensate and the pseudoscalar decay constant in the N_f=3 chiral limit. The results mildly favour significant contributions of vacuum fluctuations suppressing the N_f=3 quark condensate compared to its N_f=2 counterpart.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

QCD factorisation and flavour symmetries illustrated in B_d,s -> KK decays

We present a new analysis of B_d,s -> KK modes within the SM, relating them in a controlled way through SU(3)-flavour symmetry and QCD-improved factorisation. We propose a set of sum rules for B_d,s -> K^0 \bar K^0 observables. We determine B_s -> KK branching ratios and CP-asymmetries as functions of A_dir(B_d -> K^0 \bar K^0), with a good agreement with current experimental measurements of CDF. Finally, we predict the amount of U-spin breaking between B_d -> pi+ pi- and B_s -> K+K-.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

The K^*_0(800) scalar resonance from Roy-Steiner representations of pi K scattering

We discuss the existence of the light scalar meson K^*_0(800) (also called kappa) in a rigorous way, by showing the presence of a pole in the pi K --> pi K amplitude on the second Riemann sheet. For this purpose, we study the domain of validity of two classes of Roy-Steiner representations in the complex energy plane. We prove that one of them is valid in a region sufficiently broad in the imaginary direction. From this representation, we compute the l=0 partial wave in the complex plane with neither additional approximation nor model dependence, relying only on experimental data. A scalar resonance with strangeness S=1 is found with the following mass and width: E_kappa = 658 \pm 13 MeV and Gamma_kappa = 557 \pm 24 MeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

The role of strange sea quarks in chiral extrapolations on the lattice

Since the strange quark has a light mass of order Lambda_QCD, fluctuations of sea s-s bar pairs may play a special role in the low-energy dynamics of QCD by inducing significantly different patterns of chiral symmetry breaking in the chiral limits N_f=2 (m_u=m_d=0, m_s physical) and N_f=3 (m_u=m_d=m_s=0). This effect of vacuum fluctuations of s-s bar pairs is related to the violation of the Zweig rule in the scalar sector, described through the two O(p^4) low-energy constants L_4 and L_6 of the three-flavour strong chiral lagrangian. In the case of significant vacuum fluctuations, three-flavour chiral expansions might exhibit a numerical competition between leading- and next-to-leading-order terms according to the chiral counting, and chiral extrapolations should be handled with a special care. We investigate the impact of the fluctuations of s-s bar pairs on chiral extrapolations in the case of lattice simulations with three dynamical flavours in the isospin limit. Information on the size of the vacuum fluctuations can be obtained from the dependence of the masses and decay constants of pions and kaons on the light quark masses. Even in the case of large fluctuations, corrections due to the finite size of spatial dimensions can be kept under control for large enough boxes (L around 2.5 fm).

hep-ph↗