arXiv subjects

Silvano Simula

Publications and source records attributed to Silvano Simula.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Direct lattice calculation of inclusive hadronic decay rates of the $τ$ lepton

The inclusive hadronic decay-rates of the $τ$ lepton are particularly interesting from the phenomenological point of view since they give access to the CKM matrix elements $V_{ud}$ and $V_{us}$. In this talk, we discuss how a recent method for the extraction of smeared spectral densities from Euclidean lattice correlators can be used to obtain a direct lattice determination of inclusive hadronic $τ$ decay rates. We also present preliminary numerical results obtained by applying this method to correlators measured on two gauge ensembles produced by the ETMC with $N_f=2+1+1$ dynamical flavours at physical pion masses, lattice spacing $a\simeq 0.08$ fm and volumes $L\simeq 5.1$ fm and $L\simeq 7.6$ fm.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

Lattice calculation of the R-ratio smeared with Gaussian kernel

The ratio $R(E)$ of the cross-sections for $e^+e^-\to$ hadrons and $e^+e^-\to μ^+μ^-$ is a valuable energy-dependent probe of the hadronic sector of the Standard Model. Moreover, the experimental measurements of $R(E)$ are the inputs of the dispersive calculations of the leading hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the muon $g-2$ and these are in significant tension with direct lattice calculations and with the muon $g-2$ experiment. In this talk we discuss the results of our first-principles lattice study of $R(E)$. By using a recently proposed method for extracting smeared spectral densities from Euclidean lattice correlators, we have calculated $R(E)$ convoluted with Gaussian kernels of different widths $σ$ and central energies up to $2.5$ GeV. Our theoretical results have been compared with the KNT19 [1] compilation of experimental results smeared with the same Gaussian kernels and a tension (about three standard deviations) has been observed for $σ\sim 600$ MeV and central energies around the $ρ$-resonance peak.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

Short \& intermediate distance HVP contributions to muon g-2: SM (lattice) prediction versus $e^+e^-$ annihilation data

We present new lattice results of the ETM Collaboration, obtained from extensive simulations of lattice QCD with dynamical up, down, strange and charm quarks at physical mass values, different volumes and lattice spacings, concerning the SM prediction for the so-called intermediate window (W) and short-distance (SD) contributions to the leading order hadronic vacuum polarization (LO-HVP) term of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, $a_μ$. Results for $a_μ^{\rm LO-HVP,W}$ and $a_μ^{\rm LO-HVP,SD}$, besides representing a step forward to a complete lattice computation of $a_μ^{\rm LO-HVP}$ and a useful benchmark among lattice groups, are compared here with their dispersive counterparts based on experimental data for $e^+e^-$ into hadrons. The comparison confirms the tension in $a_μ^{\rm LO-HVP,W}$, already noted in 2020 by the BMW Collaboration, while showing no tension in $a_μ^{\rm LO-HVP,SD}$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Disconnected contribution to the LO HVP term of muon g-2 from ETMC

We present a lattice determination of the disconnected contributions to the leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization (HVP) to the muon anomalous magnetic moment in the so-called short and intermediate time-distance windows. We employ gauge ensembles produced by the Extended Twisted Mass Collaboration (ETMC) with $N_f = 2 + 1 + 1$ flavours of Wilson twisted-mass clover-improved quarks with masses approximately tuned to their physical value. We take the continuum limit employing three lattice spacings at about 0.08, 0.07 and 0.06 fm.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

New UTfit Analysis of the Unitarity Triangle in the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa scheme

Flavour mixing and CP violation as measured in weak decays and mixing of neutral mesons are a fundamental tool to test the Standard Model (SM) and to search for new physics. New analyses performed at the LHC experiment open an unprecedented insight into the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) metrology and new evidence for rare decays. Important progress has also been achieved in theoretical calculations of several hadronic quantities with a remarkable reduction of the uncertainties. This improvement is essential since previous studies of the Unitarity Triangle did show that possible contributions from new physics, if any, must be tiny and could easily be hidden by theoretical and experimental errors. Thanks to the experimental and theoretical advances, the CKM picture provides very precise SM predictions through global analyses. We present here the results of the latest global SM analysis performed by the UTfit collaboration including all the most updated inputs from experiments, lattice QCD and phenomenological calculations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

$|V_{cb}|$, LFU and $SU(3)_F$ symmetry breaking in $B_{(s)} \to D_{(s)}^{(*)} \ell ν_\ell$ decays using Lattice QCD and Unitarity

We present an application of the unitarity-based dispersion matrix (DM) approach to the extraction of the CKM matrix element $|V_{cb}|$ from the experimental data on the exclusive semileptonic $B_{(s)} \to D_{(s)}^{(*)} \ell ν_\ell$ decays. The DM method allows to achieve a non-perturbative, model-independent determination of the momentum dependence of the semileptonic form factors. Starting from lattice results available at large values of the 4-momentum transfer and implementing non-perturbative unitarity bound, the behaviour of the form factors in their whole kinematical range is obtained without introducing any explicit parameterization of their momentum dependence. We consider the four exclusive semileptonic $B_{(s)} \to D_{(s)}^{(*)} \ell ν_\ell$ decays and extract $|V_{cb}|$ from the experimental data for each transition. The average over the four channels is $|V_{cb}| = (41.2 \pm 0.8) \cdot 10^{-3} $, which is compatible with the latest inclusive determination at $1σ$ level. We address also the issue of Lepton Flavour Universality by computing pure theoretical estimates of the $τ/\ell$ ratios of the branching fractions for each channel, where $\ell$ is a light lepton. In the case of a light spectator quark we obtain $R(D^*) = 0.275(8)$ and $R(D) = 0.296(8)$, which are compatible with the corresponding experimental values within $1.3σ$. In the case of a strange spectator quark we obtain $\textit{R}(D_s^*) =0.2497(60)$ and $\textit{R}(D_s) = 0.298(5)$. The different values for $R(D_s^*)$ and $R(D^*)$ may reflect $SU(3)_F$ symmetry breaking effects, which seem to be present in some of the lattice form factors, especially at large values of the recoil.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Inclusive semileptonic $B$-decays from lattice QCD

We present the lattice QCD calculation of inclusive semileptonic $B_s$-meson decays. We follow a recently proposed method, which is based on the extraction of smeared spectral densities from Euclidean correlation functions and on the numerical reconstruction of the integration kernel relevant for the inclusive decay rate calculation. We compute four-point Euclidean correlation functions using JLQCD and ETM gauge ensembles with unphysically light $b$-quark masses, and apply two different methods for the integration kernel reconstruction. Finally, we show that the lattice results obtained in this work are in good agreement with the analytic predictions of the operator-product-expansion. This opens the path for a future full lattice QCD calculation to be used as theoretical input for the determination of the magnitude of the CKM element $V_{cb}$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

A novel approach to semileptonic heavy-to-light $B$ decays through the Dispersive Matrix method

In this contribution we analyse the heavy-to-light $B$ decays through the Dispersive Matrix method, which can be applied to any semileptonic decays of hadrons once lattice QCD computations of the hadronic Form Factors and of the relevant susceptibilities are available. We will explicitly discuss the application of the Dispersive Matrix approach to both $B \to π\ell ν_{\ell}$ and $B_s \to K \ell ν_{\ell}$ decays. As usual in our analysis strategy, only LQCD computations of the FFs at high values of the momentum transfer will be used to determine the shape of the FFs in the whole kinematical range without making any assumption on their momentum dependence. Then, the experimental data will be used only to obtain our final exclusive determinations of $\vert V_{ub} \vert$. In this way, our calculation of the FFs allows to obtain pure theoretical estimates of several quantities of phenomenological interest, for instance the $τ/μ$ ratio of the differential decay rates $R_{π(K)}^{τ/μ}$, which is an important tool for testing Lepton Flavour Universality. We will also present a summary of all the results obtained so far for semileptonic $B$ decays within the Dispersive Matrix approach.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Towards the computation of inclusive decay rates using lattice QCD

We present a non-perturbative computation of inclusive rates of semileptonic decays of heavy mesons from lattice QCD simulations. The calculation is based on the extraction of smeared spectral functions obtained from four-point Euclidean correlation functions computed on configuration ensembles of the JLQCD and ETM collaborations. We compare our results for the inclusive decay rates with analytical predictions from the operator-product expansion, finding a good agreement for the calculation of the inclusive decay rate. This opens the path to the theoretical determination of the magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $V_{cb}$ to a level of precision competitive with the present experimental uncertainty.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

A lattice QCD perspective on weak decays of b and c quarks Snowmass 2022 White Paper

Lattice quantum chromodynamics has proven to be an indispensable method to determine nonperturbative strong contributions to weak decay processes. In this white paper for the Snowmass community planning process we highlight achievements and future avenues of research for lattice calculations of weak $b$ and $c$ quark decays, and point out how these calculations will help to address the anomalies currently in the spotlight of the particle physics community. With future increases in computational resources and algorithmic improvements, percent level (and below) lattice determinations will play a central role in constraining the standard model or identifying new physics.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

Lattice QCD study of inclusive semileptonic decays of heavy mesons

We present an ab initio study of inclusive semileptonic decays of heavy mesons from lattice QCD. Our approach is based on a recently proposed method, that allows one to address the study of these decays from the analysis of smeared spectral functions extracted from four-point correlators on the lattice, where the smearing is defined in terms of the phase-space integration relevant to the inclusive decays. We present results obtained from gauge-field ensembles from the JLQCD and ETM collaborations, and discuss their relation with theoretical predictions from the operator-product expansion.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2022

LFU ratios in B decays using Lattice QCD and Unitarity

We present the results of the application of the unitarity-based Dispersion Matrix approach to semileptonic charged-current $B$ decays. This method allows to achieve a non-perturbative and completely model-independent determination of the hadronic form factors. Starting from lattice results available at large values of the momentum transfer, the behaviour of the form factors in their whole kinematical range is obtained without introducing any explicit parameterization of their momentum dependence. We will focus on the analysis of Lepton Flavour Universality by computing the $τ/μ$ ratios of the branching fractions of the $B \to D^{(*)} \ell ν$ and $B \to π\ell ν$ decays. The most important result is that, for the first time, the discrepancies between the SM expectation values and the measurements of the Lepton Flavour Universality ratios for the $B \to D^{(*)} \ell ν$ decays are reduced at the 1.3$σ$ level for each of the two channels, separately.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Semileptonic B decays matrix elements

We present some applications of the unitarity-based Dispersion Matrix (DM) approach to the extraction of the CKM matrix element $|V_{cb}|$ from the experimental data on the exclusive $B_{(s)} \to D_{(s)}^{(*)} \ell ν_\ell$ decays. The DM method allows to achieve a non-perturbative, model-independent determination of the momentum dependence of the semileptonic form factors. Starting from lattice results available at large values of the 4-momentum transfer and implementing non-perturbative unitarity bounds, the behaviour of the form factors in their whole kinematical range is obtained without introducing any explicit parameterization of their momentum dependence. We firstly illustrate the effectiveness of the method by considering the case of the semileptonic $B \rightarrow π$ decay, which is a good benchmark since the kinematic range is large. Then, we focus on the four exclusive semileptonic $B_{(s)} \to D_{(s)}^{(*)} \ell ν_\ell$ decays and we extract $|V_{cb}|$ from the experimental data for each transition. The average over the four channels is $|V_{cb}| = (41.2 \pm 0.8) \cdot 10^{-3} $. We find, for the first time, an exclusive value which is compatible with the latest inclusive determination at $1σ$ level. We address also the issue of Lepton Flavour Universality by computing pure theoretical estimates of the $τ/\ell$ ratios of the branching fractions for each channel. In the case of a light spectator quark we obtain $R(D^*) = 0.275(8)$ and $R(D) = 0.296(8)$, which are compatible with the corresponding experimental values within $1.3σ$. In the case of a strange spectator quark we obtain $\textit{R}(D_s^*) =0.2497(60)$ and $\textit{R}(D_s) = 0.298(5)$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Window contributions to the muon hadronic vacuum polarization with twisted-mass fermions

We present a lattice calculation of the Euclidean position-space windows contributing to the leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization term of the muon anomalous magnetic moment $a_μ$. Short-, intermediate- and long-distance windows are considered in order to isolate different scales sensitive to specific integration ranges of experimental time-like data used in the R-ratio. By adopting the same smooth window function introduced by the RBC and UKQCD Collaborations with width parameter $Δ= 0.15~\rm fm$, for the isospin-symmetric, light, quark-connected component we get $a_μ^{\rm SD} (ud) = 48.21\,(80) \cdot 10^{-10}$ , $a_μ^{\rm W} (ud) = 202.2\,(2.6) \cdot 10^{-10}$ and $a_μ^{\rm LD} (ud) = 382.5\,(11.7) \cdot 10^{-10}$ in the short- (SD), intermediate- (W) and long-distance (LD) time regions, respectively, with $t_0 = 0.4~\rm fm$ and $t_1 = 1.0~\rm fm$. Our results are obtained using the gauge configurations generated by the Extended Twisted Mass Collaboration with $N_f=2+1+1$ dynamical quarks, at three values of the lattice spacing varying from 0.089 to 0.062 fm, at several lattice volumes and with pion masses in the range $M_π\simeq 220 - 490~\rm MeV$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Non-Perturbative Bounds for Semileptonic Decays in Lattice QCD

We present a new method aiming at a non-perturbative, model-independent determination of the momentum dependence of the form factors entering semileptonic decays using unitarity and analyticity constraints. We extend the original proposal and, using suitable two-point functions computed non-perturbatively, we determine the form factors at low-momentum transfer $q^2$ from those computed explicitly on the lattice at large $q^2$, without making any assumption about their $q^2$ dependence. As a training ground we apply the new method to the analysis of the lattice data of the semileptonic $D \rightarrow K \ell ν_{\ell}$ decays obtained both at finite values of the lattice spacing and at the physical pion point in the continuum limit. We show that, starting from a limited set of data at large $q^2$, it is possible to determine quite precisely the form factors in a model independent way in the full kinematical range, obtaining a remarkable agreement with the direct calculation of the form factors. This finding opens the possibility to obtain non-perturbatively the form factors entering the semileptonic B decays in the full kinematical range.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Gradient flow scale-setting with $N_f=2+1+1$ Wilson-clover twisted-mass fermions

We present a determination of the gradient flow scales $w_0$, $\sqrt{t_0}$ and $t_0/w_0$ in isosymmetric QCD, making use of the gauge ensembles produced by the Extended Twisted Mass Collaboration (ETMC) with $N_f=2+1+1$ flavours of Wilson-clover twisted-mass quarks including configurations close to the physical point for all dynamical flavours. The simulations are carried out at three values of the lattice spacing and the scale is set through the PDG value of the pion decay constant, yielding $w_0=0.17383(63)$ fm, $\sqrt{t_0}=0.14436(61)$ fm and $t_0/w_0=0.11969(62)$ fm. Finally, fixing the kaon mass to its isosymmetric value, we determine the ratio of the kaon and pion leptonic decay constants to be $f_K/f_π=1.1995(44)$.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2021

Non-perturbative bounds for $B \to D^{(*)}\ellν_{\ell}$ decays and phenomenological applications

We show how to extract the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix element $\vert V_{cb} \vert$ from exclusive semileptonic $B \to D^{(*)}$ decays by using the Dispersive Matrix (DM) method. It is a new approach which allows to determine in a full non-perturbative way the hadronic form factors (FFs) in the whole kinematical range, without making any assumption on their dependence on the momentum transfer. We investigate also the issue of Lepton Flavor Universality (LFU) by computing a pure theoretical estimate of the ratio $R(D^{(*)})$. Our approach is applied to the preliminary LQCD computations of the FFs, published by the FNAL/MILC [1] and the JLQCD [2] Collaborations, for the $B \to D^*$ decays and to the final ones, computed by FNAL/MILC [3], for the $B \to D$ transitions . Since the FNAL/MILC Collaborations have recently published the final results of their LQCD computations of the FFs [4] for the $B \to D^*$ case, we present also the results of our procedure after its application on these data. We find $ \vert V_{cb} \vert = (41.0 \pm 1.2) \cdot 10^{-3}$ and $\vert V_{cb} \vert = (41.3 \pm 1.7) \cdot 10^{-3}$ from $B \to D$ and $B \to D^*$ decays, respectively. These estimates are consistent within $1σ$ with the most recent inclusive determination $\vert V_{cb}\vert_{incl} = (42.16 \pm 0.50) \cdot 10^{-3}$ [5]. Furthermore, we obtain $R(D) = 0.289(8)$ and $R(D^*) = 0.269(8)$, which are both compatible with the latest experimental averages [6] at the $\sim$1.6$σ$ level.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Nonintegrable threshold singularities of two-point functions in perturbation theory

In perturbation theory, the spectral densities of two-point functions develop non-integrable threshold singularities at higher orders. In QCD, such singularities emerge when calculating the diagrams in terms of the pole quark mass, and they become stronger when one rearranges the perturbative expansion in terms of the running quark mass. In this paper we discuss the proper way to handle such singularities.

hep-ph↗