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Stefano Moretti

Publications and source records attributed to Stefano Moretti.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Sneutrino Dark Matter in the BLSSM

In the framework of the $(B-L)$ Supersymmetric Standard Model (BLSSM), we assess the ability of ground and space based experiments to establish the nature of its prevalent Dark Matter (DM) candidate, the sneutrino, which could either be CP-even or -odd. Firstly, by benchmarking this theory construct against the results obtained by the Planck spacecraft, we extract the portions of the BLSSM parameter space compliant with relic density data. Secondly, we show that, based on current sensitivities of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (FermiLAT) and their future projections, the study of high-energy $γ$-ray spectra will eventually enable us to extract evidence of this DM candidate through its annihilations into $W^+W^-$ pairs (in turn emitting photons), in the form of both an integrated flux and a differential energy spectrum which cannot be reconciled with the assumption of DM being fermionic (like, e.g., a neutralino), although it should not be possible to distinguish between the scalar and pseudoscalar hypotheses. Thirdly, we show that, while underground direct detection experiments will have little scope in testing sneutrino DM, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may be able to do so in a variety of multi-lepton signatures, with and without accompanying jets (plus missing transverse energy), following data collection during Run 2 and 3.

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Signal to background interference in $pp\to t H^-\to t W^- b\bar b$ at the LHC Run-II

We investigate in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) environment the possibility that sizeable interference effects between a {\sl heavy} charged Higgs boson signal produced via $bg\to tH^-$ (+ c.c.) scattering and decaying via $H^-\to W^- A\to W^- b\bar b$ (+ c.c.) and the irreducible background given by $bg\to t W^- b\bar b$ topologies could spoil current search approaches where the former and latter channels are treated separately. The rationale for this comes from the fact that a heavy charged Higgs state can have a large width, and so can happen for the CP-odd neutral Higgs state emerging in the ensuing decays well, which in turn enables such interferences. We conclude that effects are very significant, both at the inclusive and exclusive level (i.e., both before and after $H^\pm$ selection cuts are enforced, respectively) and typically of a destructive nature. This therefore implies that currently established LHC reaches for heavy charged Higgs bosons require some level of rescaling. However, this is possible a posteriori, as the aforementioned $H^\pm$ selection cuts shape the interference contributions at the differential level in a way similar to that of the isolated $H^\pm$ signal, so there is no need to reassess the efficiency of the individual cuts. We show such effects quantitatively by borrowing benchmarks points from different Yukawa types of a 2-Higgs Doublet Model parameter space for $H^\pm$ values starting from around 200 GeV.

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Production of extra quarks decaying to Dark Matter beyond the Narrow Width Approximation at the LHC

This paper explores the effects of finite width in processes of pair production of an extra heavy quark with charge 2/3 (top partner) and its subsequent decay into a bosonic Dark Matter (DM) candidate -- either scalar or vector -- and SM up-type quarks at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This dynamics has been ignored so far in standard experimental searches of heavy quarks decaying to DM and we assess herein the regions of validity of current approaches, based on the assumption that the extra quarks have a narrow width. Further, we discuss the configurations of masses, widths and couplings where the latter breaks down.

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Supersymmetric Gauged B-L Model of Dark Matter and Fine Tuning

We investigate how the Fine-Tuning (FT) in the B-L Supersymmetric Standard Model (BLSSM) compares to the Minimally Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), where both models have universality. This is done for two scales: both low (i.e. collider) and high (i.e. Grand Unified Theory (GUT)) scales. We see this is similar for both models and the two scale regimes. We also study the possible Dark Matter (DM) candidates each model offers in a realistic scenario satisfying relic density constraints. Our findings are that whilst the parameter space for the single MSSM DM candidate is severely constrained, the BLSSM offers multiple candidates in a much wider region.

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Status and discovery prospects for light pseudoscalars in the NMSSM

While most BSM searches at the LHC focus on heavy new states, the NMSSM contains the possibility of new light states that have escaped detection due to their singlet nature. Here we focus on light pseudoscalars, investigating the parameter space impact of recent LHC searches for such light states stemming from the decay of the 125 GeV Higgs boson. It is shown that, though direct searches can not yet compete with the requirement of the 125 GeV scalar having SM-like couplings, the searches are touching the allowed parameter space and should make a phenomenological impact in the near future.

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Using leptons $p_T$ measurements to constrain $Z^\prime$-bosons widths in Drell-Yan processes at the LHC

We recognise the appearance of a Focus Point (FP) in the transverse momentum distribution of either leptons originating from a BSM $Z^\prime$-boson decay, after a simple normalisation procedure. Exploring the properties of the FP we will be able to define in a general way a new observable, the Focus Point Asymmetry ($A_{\rm FP}$), which can be used to set constrains on the $Z^\prime$ width. We discuss the potential and the sensitivity of the $A_{\rm FP}$ in as diagnostic tool for $Z^\prime$ physics, considering various $Z^\prime$ phenomenological realisations.

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Explanation of the Beryllium Anomaly in a $U(1)'$-Extended 2-Higgs Doublet Model

We consider an extension of the Standard Model with an extra gauged $U(1)'$ symmetry in presence of a 2-Higgs Doublet Model structure of the scalar sector. We show that this scenario is able to explain the anomaly observed by the Atomki collaboration in the decay of an excited state of Beryllium via a light spin-1 $Z'$ with a mass of 17 MeV.

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Two Higgs bosons near 125 GeV in the NMSSM: beyond the narrow width approximation

In the next-to-minimal supersymmetric (NMS) Standard Model (SM), it is possible for either one of the additional singlet-like scalar and pseudoscalar Higgs bosons to be almost degenerate in mass with the ~125 GeV SM-like Higgs state. In the real NMSSM (rNMSSM), when the mass difference between two scalar states is comparable to their individual total decay widths, the quantum mechanical interference, due to the relevant diagonal as well as off-diagonal terms in the propagator matrix, between them can become sizable. This possibility invalidates usage of the narrow width approximation (NWA) to compute the cross section for the production of a di-photon pair with a given invariant mass via resonant Higgs boson(s) in the gluon fusion process at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). When, motivated by the baryon asymmetry of the universe, CP-violating (CPV) phases are explicitly invoked in the Higgs sector of the NMSSM, all the interaction eigenstates mix to give five CP-indefinite physical Higgs bosons. In this scenario, the interference effects due the off-diagonal terms in the Higgs mass matrix that mix the pseudoscalar-like state with the SM-like one can also become significant, when these two are sufficiently mass-degenerate. We perform a detailed analysis, in both the real and complex NMSSM, of these interference effects, when the full propagator matrix is taken into account, in the production of a photon pair with an invariant mass near 125 GeV through gluon fusion. We find that these effects can account for up to ~40% of the total cross section for certain model parameter configurations. We also investigate how such mutually interfering states contributing to the ~125 GeV signal observed at the LHC can be distinguished from a single resonance.

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Extra Higgs Boson and $Z'$ as Portals to Signatures of Heavy Neutrinos at the LHC

In this paper, we discuss the potential of observing heavy neutrino ($ν_h$) signatures of a $U(1)_{B-L}$ enlarged Standard Model (SM) encompassing three heavy Majorana neutrinos alongside the known light neutrino states at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We exploit the theoretical decay via a pair of heavy (non-SM-like) Higgs boson and $Z'$ production followed by $ν_h \rightarrow l^\pm W^{\mp (*)}$ and $ν_h \rightarrow ν_l Z^{(*)}$ decays, ultimately yielding a $3l+2j+E_{T}^{\rm{miss}}$ signature and, depending upon how boosted the final state objects are, we define different possible selections aimed at improving the signal to background ratio in LHC Run 2 data for a wide range of heavy neutrino masses.

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Production of extra quarks at the Large Hadron Collider beyond the Narrow Width Approximation

This paper explores the effects of both finite width and interference (with background) in the pair production and decay of extra heavy quarks with charge 2/3 at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This dynamics is normally ignored in standard experimental searches and we assess herein the regions of validity of current approaches, also evaluating the performances of a set of current experimental analyses at 8 and 13 TeV for the deterimination of the excluded regions in the $(M_{\rm VLQ},Γ_{\rm VLQ})$ plane, $M_{\rm VLQ}$ being the mass of the VLQ and $Γ_{\rm VLQ}$ its width. Further, we discuss the configurations of masses, widths and couplings where the latter breaks down.

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LHC Phenomenology of Composite 2-Higgs Doublet Models

We investigate the phenomenology of Composite 2-Higgs Doublet Models (C2HDMs) of various Yukawa types based on the global symmetry breaking $SO(6)\to SO(4)\times SO(2)$. The kinetic term and the Yukawa Lagrangian are constructed in terms of the pseudo Nambu-Goldstone Boson (pNGB) matrix and a 6-plet of fermions under $SO(6)$. The scalar potential is assumed to be the same as that of the Elementary 2-Higgs Doublet Model (E2HDM) with a softly-broken discrete $Z_2$ symmetry. We then discuss the phenomenological differences between the E2HDM and C2HDM by focusing on the deviations from Standard Model (SM) couplings of the discovered Higgs state ($h$) as well as on the production cross sections and Branching Ratios (BRs) at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of extra Higgs bosons. We find that, even if the same deviation in the $hVV$ ($V=W,Z$) coupling is assumed in both scenarios, there appear significant differences between E2HDM and C2HDM from the structure of the Yukawa couplings, so that production and decay features of extra Higgs bosons can be used to distinguish between the two scenarios.

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Large width effects in processes of production of extra quarks decaying to Dark Matter at the LHC

This paper explores the effects of finite width in processes of pair production of a heavy eXtra Quark (XQ) with charge 2/3 and its subsequent decay into a Dark Matter (DM) candidate -- either scalar or vector -- and Standard Model (SM) up-type quarks at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This dynamics has been ignored so far in standard experimental searches of heavy quarks decaying to DM and we assess herein the regions of validity of current approaches, based on the assumption that the XQ has a narrow width. Further, we discuss the configurations of masses, widths and couplings where the latter breaks down.

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Extra Quarks Decaying to Dark Matter Beyond the Narrow Width Approximation

We explore the effects induced by a finite width in processes of pair production of a heavy top-quark partner and its subsequent decay into a bosonic Dark Matter (DM) candidate -- either scalar or vector -- and a SM up-type quark at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We discuss the configurations of masses, widths and couplings where this phenomenology can be important in a simple model with just one such objects. Finally, we emphasise the correct definition of signal and background to be adopted as well as stress the importance of new dedicated experimental searches.

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Naturalness and Dark Matter Properties of the BLSSM

In this report, we compare the naturalness and Dark Matter (DM) properties of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and the $B-L$ Supersymmetric Standard Model (BLSSM), with universality in both cases. We do this by adopting standard measures for the quantitative analysis of the Fine-Tuning (FT), at both low (i.e. supersymmetric (SUSY)) and high (i.e. unification) scales. We will see a similar level of FT for both models in these scenarios, with a slightly better FT for the BLSSM at SUSY scales and MSSM at Grand Unification Theory (GUT) scales. When including DM relic constraints, we drastically confine the MSSM's parameter space, whereas we still find a large parameter space available for the non-minimal scenario.

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Identifying a light charged Higgs boson at the LHC Run II

We analyse the phenomenological implications of a light Higgs boson, $h$, within the CP-conserving 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) Type-I, for the detection prospects of the charged $H^\pm$ state at Run II of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), assuming $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV as energy and ${\cal O}(100~{\rm fb}^{-1})$ as luminosity. When sufficiently light, this $h$ state can open up the bosonic decay channel $H^\pm \to W^{\pm(*)}h$, which may have a branching ratio significantly exceeding those of the $H^\pm \to τν$ and $H^\pm \to cs$ channels. We perform a broad scan of the 2HDM Type-I parameter space, assuming the heavier of the two CP-even Higgs bosons, $H$, to be the observed SM-like state with a mass near 125 GeV. Through these scans we highlight regions in which $m_{H^\pm} < m_t +m_b$ that are still consistent with the most recent limits from experimental searches. We find in these regions that, when the $H^\pm \to W^{\pm(*)}h$ decay mode is the dominant one, the $h$ can be highly fermiophobic, with a considerably large decay rate in the $γγ$ channel. This can result in the total cross section of the $σ(pp\to H^\pm h \to W^{\pm(*)} + 4γ)$ process reaching up to ${\cal O}(100~{\rm fb})$. We therefore investigate the possibility of observing this spectacular signal at the LHC Run II.

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Bosonic Decays of Charged Higgs Bosons in a 2HDM Type-I

In this study, we focus on the bosonic decays of light charged Higgs bosons in the 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) Type-I. We quantify the Branching Ratios (BRs) of the $H^\pm \to W^\pm h$ and $H^\pm\to W^\pm A$ channels and show that they could be substantial over several areas of the parameter space of the 2HDM Type-I that are still allowed by Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other experimental data as well as theoretical constraints. We suggest that $H^\pm \to W^\pm h$ and/or $H^\pm \to W^\pm A$ could be used as a feasible discovery channel alternative to $H^\pm \to τν$.

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Discovering and profiling Z' bosons using asymmetry observables in top quark pair production with the lepton-plus-jets final state at the LHC

The sensitivity of top quark pair production at the Large Hadron Collider to the presence and nature of an underlying Z' boson is studied, accounting for six-fermion decay with full tree-level Standard Model ttbar interference and all intermediate particles allowed off-shell. Focus is placed on the lepton-plus-jets final state, emulating experimental conditions, including kinematic requirements and top quark pair reconstruction in the presence of missing transverse energy and combinatorial ambiguity in jet-top assignment. Considering a resonance with mass of 4 TeV, and assuming 300 inverse fb of proton-proton collisions with a centre of mass energy of 13 TeV data, a combination of forward-backward and top polarisation asymmetries are shown to distinguish Z' embedded by different classes of Grand-Unified-Theory-inspired models. In combination with the differential cross section, they may be used to increase the significance of the signal when tested against the Standard Model, as shown using a likelihood-based statistical test.

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