arXiv subjects

Svjetlana Fajfer

Publications and source records attributed to Svjetlana Fajfer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Implications of lepton flavor universality violations in B decays

Present measurements of b->c tau nu and b->u tau nu transitions differ from the standard model predictions of lepton flavor universality by almost 4sigma. We examine new physics interpretations of this anomaly. An effective field theory analysis shows that minimal flavor violating models are not preferred as an explanation, but are also not yet excluded. Allowing for general flavor violation, right-right vector and right-left scalar quark currents are identified as viable candidates. We discuss explicit examples of two Higgs doublet models, leptoquarks as well as quark and lepton compositeness. Finally, implications for LHC searches and future measurements at the (super)B- factories are presented.

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arXiv2012

Higgs Uncovering Light Scalar Remnants of High Scale Matter Unification

We consider the impact of colored scalars that can couple directly to matter fields on the recently measured h to gamma gamma excess. Among all possible candidates only scalar states transforming as (8, 2,1/2) and (6,3,1/3) under the Standard Model gauge group can individually accommodate the excess and remain in agreement with all available data. Current experimental constraints require such colored states to have an order one coupling to the Standard Model Higgs and a mass below 300 GeV. We use the best fit values to predict the correlated effect in h to Z gamma and di-Higgs production. We furthermore discuss where and how these states appear in extensions of the Standard Model with primary focus on scenarios of matter unification. We revisit two simple SU(5) setups to show that these two full-fledged models not only accommodate a light color octet state but correlate its mass with observable partial proton decay lifetimes.

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arXiv2012

Discerning New Physics in Top-Antitop Production using Top Spin Observables at Hadron Colliders

Copious production of top-antitop quark pairs at hadron colliders has enabled various probes into the properties and interactions of top quarks. Among the various presently measured observables, the forward-backward asymmetry (FBA) in t tbar production measured at the Tevatron significantly deviates from the standard model predictions, and many models of new physics have been invented to explain the puzzle. We consider the consistency of the simplified single-resonance models containing a color octet axial-vector ("axigluon"), color triplet or sextet weak singlet scalars, weak isodoublet scalar, flavor-changing neutral Z', or charged W' vector boson with existing t tbar production measurements. Among the considered models only an axigluon can reproduce all Tevatron observables, without being in severe tension with the recent LHC results on t tbar production cross section, charge asymmetry and top-spin correlations. The LHC charge asymmetry measurements exclude the W' and Z' explanations of the Tevatron FBA anomaly. On the other hand, all scalar models predict notable deviations in several top spin observables, and the recent top spin correlation measurement using the "helicity" spin quantization axis by ATLAS already provides a significant constraint on possible explanations of the Tevatron FBA anomaly. Future precise measurements of top spin correlations and especially top polarization could differentiate between scalar t(u)-channel models, while they are less sensitive to pure axigluon contributions.

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arXiv2012

Heavy and light scalar leptoquarks in proton decay

We list scalar leptoquarks that mediate proton decay via renormalizable couplings to the Standard Model fermions. We employ a general basis of baryon number violating operators to parameterize contributions of each leptoquark towards proton decay. This then sets the stage for investigation of bounds on the leptoquark couplings to fermions with respect to the most current Super Kamiokande results on proton stability. We quantify if, and when, it is necessary to have leptoquark masses close to a scale of grand unification in the realistic SU(5) and flipped SU(5) frameworks. The most and the least conservative lower bounds on the leptoquark masses are then presented. We furthermore single out a leptoquark without phenomenologically dangerous tree-level exchanges that might explain discrepancy of the forward-backward asymmetries in $t \bar t$ production observed at Tevatron, if relatively light. The same state could also play significant role in explaining muon anomalous magnetic moment. We identify contributions of this leptoquark to dimension-six operators, mediated through a box diagram, and tree-level dimension-nine operators, that would destabilize proton if sizable leptoquark and diquark couplings were to be simultaneously present.

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arXiv2012

On the B to D* tau nu Sensitivity to New Physics

B physics has played a prominent role in investigations of new physics effects at low-energies. Presently, the largest discrepancy between a standard model prediction and experimental measurements appears in the branching ratio of the charged current mediated B to tau nu decay, where the large tau mass lifts the helicity suppression arising in leptonic B decays. Less significant systematic deviations are also observed in the semileptonic B to D(*) tau nu rates. Due to the rich spin structure of the final state, the decay mode B to D* tau nu offers a number of tests of such possible standard model deviations. We investigate the most general set of lowest dimensional effective operators leading to helicity suppressed modifications of b to c (semi)leptonic transitions. We explore such contributions to the B to D* tau nu decay amplitudes by determining the differential decay rate, longitudinal D* polarization fraction, D* - tau opening angle asymmetry and the tau helicity asymmetry. We identify the size of possible new physics contributions constrained by the present B to D(*) tau nu rate measurements and find significant modifications are still possible in all of them. In particular, the opening angle asymmetry can be shifted by almost 30%, relative to the standard model prediction, while the tau helicity asymmetry can still deviate by as much as 80%.

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arXiv2011

Limits on scalar leptoquark interactions and consequences for GUTs

A colored weak singlet scalar state with hypercharge 4/3 is one of the possible candidates for the explanation of the unexpectedly large forward-backward asymmetry in t tbar production as measured by the CDF and D0 experiments. We investigate the role of this state in a plethora of flavor changing neutral current processes and precision observables of down-quarks and charged leptons. Our analysis includes tree- and loop-level mediated observables in the K and B systems, the charged lepton sector, as well as the Z to b bbar decay width. We perform a global fit of the relevant scalar couplings. This approach can explain the (g-2)_mu anomaly while tensions among the CP violating observables in the quark sector, most notably the nonstandard CP phase (and width difference) in the Bs system cannot be fully relaxed. The results are interpreted in a class of grand unified models which allow for a light colored scalar with a mass below 1TeV. We find that the renormalizable SU(5) scenario is not compatible with our global fit, while in the SO(10) case the viability requires the presence of both the 126- and 120-dimensional representations.

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arXiv2011

Scalar diquark in t tbar production and constraints on Yukawa sector of grand unified theories

A colored weak singlet scalar state with hypercharge 4/3 is one of the possible candidates for the explanation of the unexpectedly large forward-backward asymmetry in $t \bar t$ production as measured by the CDF and D0 experiments. We investigate the role of this state in a plethora of flavor changing neutral current processes and precision observables of down-quarks and charged leptons. Our analysis includes tree- and loop-level mediated observables in the K and B systems, the charged lepton sector, as well as the $Z \to b \bar b$ width. We perform a fit of the relevant scalar couplings. This approach can explain the $(g-2)_μ$ anomaly while tensions among the CP violating observables in the quark sector, most notably the nonstandard CP phase (and width difference) in the $B_s$ system cannot be fully relaxed. The results are interpreted in a class of GUT models which allow for a light colored scalar with a mass below 1 TeV.

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arXiv2011

Probing anomalous tWb interactions with rare B decays

Precision studies of top quark properties are currently underway at the LHC and Tevatron colliders with the prospect of probing anomalous t-W -b interactions. In the mean time, recent experimental results for the B_{d,s} - \bar{B}_{d,s} oscillation observables, the branching ratio B_s->μ^+μ^-, as well as the forward - backward asymmetry in B->K\starl^+l^-, accompanied by the accurate theoretical predictions for the relevant observables obtained within the SM motivate a combined study of these observables in the presence of anomalous t - W - b vertices. We investigate contributions of such anomalous couplings to the B->X_s l^+l^- decay mode, and combining them with the modifications of the B_{d,s} - \bar{B}_d,s, B->X_sγ observables, we determine indirect bounds on the real and imaginary parts of the anomalous t - W - b interactions. We find these to be mostly superior to present direct constraints coming from top decay and production measurements at the LHC and Tevatron. Finally, we predict the allowed effects in the branching ratios of the B_s->μ^+μ^- and B->K^{(*)}ν\barν, as well as the forward-backward asymmetry in B->K^*l^+l^-. We find that improved knowledge of these observables in the future could further constrain some of the anomalous tWb interactions.

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arXiv2011

Interplay of t --> b W Decay and B_q Meson Mixing in Minimal Flavor Violating Models

Precise measurements of the top quark decay properties at hadron colliders offer interesting new possibilities of testing the standard model. At the same time, recent intriguing experimental results concerning CP violation in the B_d and B_s systems have stimulated many studies of physics beyond the standard model. We investigate anomalous t W d_j interactions as a possible source of new effects in B_{d,s} - bar B_{d,s} oscillations within a model independent approach based on the assumptions of Minimal Flavor Violation. After matching our effective operators onto the low-energy effective Lagrangian describing B_{d,s} meson mixing and evolving it down to the B-mass scale, we extract the preferred ranges of the anomalous t W d_j interactions at the weak scale. These values are then compared to previously considered constraints coming from the rare radiative B --> X_s gamma decay. Finally, we reconsider the associated effects in the t --> b W decays and find that the W helicity fractions F_{L,+} can deviate by as much as 15%, 30% from their standard model values, respectively. The deviations in F_L in particular, can reach the level of expected precision measurements at the LHC.

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arXiv2010

New physics in t-> b W decay at next-to-leading order in QCD

We consider contributions of non-standard tbW effective operators to the decay of an unpolarized top quark into a bottom quark and a W gauge boson at next-to-leading order in QCD. We find that the dipole operator O_{LR} contribution to the transverse-plus W helicity fraction F_+ is significantly enhanced compared to the leading order result at non-vanishing bottom quark mass. Nonetheless, presently the most sensitive observable to direct O_{LR} contributions is the longitudinal W helicity fraction F_L. In particular, the most recent CDF measurement of F_L already provides the most stringent upper bound on O_{LR} contributions, even when compared with indirect bounds from the rare decay B -> X_s gamma.

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arXiv2010

Light Colored Scalar as Messenger of Up-Quark Flavor Dynamics in Grand Unified Theories

The measured forward-backward asymmetry in the t tbar production at the Tevatron might be explained by the additional exchange of a colored weak singlet scalar. Such state appears in some of the grand unified theories and its interactions with the up-quarks are purely antisymmetric in flavor space. We systematically investigate the resulting impact on charm and top quark physics. The constraints on the relevant Yukawa couplings come from the experimentally measured observables related to D0--D0bar oscillations, as well as di-jet and single top production measurements at the Tevatron. After fully constraining the relevant Yukawa couplings, we predict possible signatures of this model in rare top quark decays. In a class of grand unified models we demonstrate how the obtained information enables to constrain the Yukawa couplings of the up-quarks at very high energy scale.

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arXiv2010

QCD Corrections to Flavor Changing Neutral Coupling Mediated Rare Top Quark Decays

Recently we have presented an analysis of flavor changing neutral coupling mediated radiative top quark decays at next-to-leading order in QCD. In the present paper we provide the details of the calculation of QCD corrections to t-> q gamma and t-> q Z decays within the effective theory approach including operator mixing. In particular, we calculate virtual matrix element corrections and the corresponding bremsstrahlung contributions. In the case of t-> q gamma we study the effects of kinematic cuts on the extracted branching ratios. Analytical formulae are given at all stages of the calculation. We find that the t-> q gamma decay can be used to probe also the effective operators mediating t-> q g processes, since these can naturally contribute 10% or more to the radiative decay, given typical experimental cuts on the decay kinematics at hadron colliders. Conversely, we argue that any positive experimental signal of the t-> q g process would indicate a natural lower bound on t-> q gamma decay rate.

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arXiv2010

Light colored scalars from grand unification and the forward-backward asymmetry in top quark pair production

The experimental results on the t bar t production cross section at the Tevatron are well described by the QCD contributions within the standard model, while the recent measurement of the forward-backward asymmetry cannot be accounted for within this framework. We consider light colored scalars appearing in a particular SU(5) GUT model within the 45-dimensional Higgs representation. A virtue of the model is that it connects the presence of a light colored SU(2) singlet (Delta_6) and a color octet weak doublet (Delta_1) with bounds on the proton lifetime, which constrain the parameter space of both scalars. We find that both the t bar t production cross section and the forward-backward asymmetry can be accommodated simultaneously within this model. The experimental results prefer a region for the mass of Delta_6 around 400 GeV, while Delta_1 is then constrained to have a mass around the TeV scale as well. We analyze possible experimental signatures and find that Delta_6 associated top production could be probed in the t bar t + jets final states at Tevatron and the LHC.

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arXiv2010

Flavor Changing Neutral Coupling Mediated Radiative Top Quark Decays at Next-to-Leading Order in QCD

We compute the branching ratios for the rare top quark decays t to c gamma and t to c Z mediated by effective flavor changing neutral couplings at the next-to-leading order in QCD including the effects due to operator mixing. After re-suming contributions of order [alpha_s log (Lambda / m_t)]^n, where Lambda is the scale at which the effective operators are generated, at leading log level using renormalization group methods, we compute finite matrix element corrections and study the effects of experimental kinematic cuts on the extracted branching ratios. We find that the t to c gamma decay can be used to probe also the effective operators mediating t to c g processes, since these can naturaly contribute 10% or more to the radiative decay. Conversely, any experimental signal of t to c g would indicate a natural lower bound on t to cZ, gamma.

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arXiv2009

Search for new physics in charm processes

Charm procceses are usually not considered to be favorable candidates in the search for new physics. Recent disagreement between experimental and lattice QCD results on the D_s decay constant has motivated us to systematically reinvestigate role of leptoquarks in rare charm meson decays. We include constrains coming from the light meson decays.

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arXiv2009

Can scalar leptoquarks explain the f_{D_s} puzzle?

Motivated by the disagreement between experimental and lattice QCD results on the D_s decay constant we systematically reinvestigate role of leptoquarks in charm meson decays. We consider scalar leptoquarks that transform as a weak interaction triplet, doublet, or singlet in a model independent approach, and also argue that in a particular SU(5) GUT model these leptoquark states, contained in the 45-dimensional Higgs representation, could be safe against proton decay bounds. Using the current experimental measurements in tau, kaon and charm sectors, we find that scalar leptoquarks cannot naturally explain the D_s --> mu nu and D_s --> tau nu decay widths simultaneously. While any contributions of the triplet leptoquarks are already excluded, the singlets could only contribute significantly to the D_s --> tau nu width. Finally, a moderate improvement of the experimental upper bound on the D^0 --> mu^+μ^- decay width could exclude the doublet contribution to the D_s --> mu nu, while present experimental data limits its mass to be below 1.4 TeV. Possible new signatures at present and near future experiments are also briefly discussed.

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arXiv2009

Signatures of NP models in top FCNC decay t --> c(u) l+ l-

Among other roles the LHC will play a role of the top "factory" and it will give us unique possibility to study new physics signatures in different ways. Many scenarios of new physics allow top quark FCNC decays. Using most general model independent Lagrangian of new physics we investigate possible experimental signals of new physics in t --> c(u) l+ l- FCNC top decays. We find that measurement of two possible asymmetries might give very important and interesting information of NP. It is particularly interesting to use them to discriminate among variety on NP scenarios. We consider also contributions of the interference between scalar and vector mediators of the FCNC decays.

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arXiv2008

Leptoquarks in FCNC charm decays

Recently it was noticed that among many scenarios of new physics leptoquarks might compensate for the disagreement between the lattice and experimental results for the charmed strange meson decay constant. The leptoquarks might modify also the flavor changing neutral current charm decays. In this study we investigate impact of the scalar leptoquark with electric charge -1/3 on the dilepton invariant mass distribution in the D^+ --> pi^+ mu^+ mu^- decay and on the branching ratios of the D^0 --> mu^+ mu^- using the existing experimental results.

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