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Thomas Mannel

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Mannel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Extending the Kinetic Mass to Higher Orders in $1/m_Q$

Currently, the kinetic mass is defined in terms of the pole mass and operators at order $1/m_Q^2$, which are known to N$^3$LO accuracy in $\alpha_s$. At the same time, the Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) for inclusive semileptonic decays is known up to and including terms of order $1/m_Q^5$. Therefore, it is desirable to extend the definition of the kinetic mass to higher orders in $1/m_Q$. The original kinetic mass is based on the hadron-mass formula in Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET). However, the HQE is formulated in terms of matrix elements defined in full QCD to avoid the appearance of non-local matrix elements. To avoid this, we develop a definition of the kinetic mass rooted in full QCD. Starting from the hadron-mass formula derived from the energy-momentum tensor of full QCD, we define a relation between a general mass and the pole mass. Using a simple cut-off scheme, we compute a generalized kinetic mass at one loop to all powers of $1/m_Q$, which reproduces the well-known results for the kinetic mass up to $1/m_Q^2$. Our approach opens the road to a consistent use of the kinetic mass at higher-orders in the heavy quark expansion.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2025

Subatomic Heroes

Sharing the amazing achievements of the (particle) physics world with the general public is at the heart of the mission of the Subatomic Heroes, based at the University of Siegen, Germany. Originally this started out as an endeavor of theoretical particle physics, now we are steadily spreading out to cover and include more branches of physics and science. Our activities range from merging art with public physics lectures via marvelous artistic performances at the local theater, over dedicated events for high-school students, to our Subatomic Heroes channel on Instagram and TikTok where you may also find out when and where our famous "hadronic ice-cream" will be served next! So follow us on https://www.instagram.com/subatomic_heroes and https://www.tiktok.com/@subatomic_heroes.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2025

$D\to P \ell^+\ell^-$ decays assisted by QCD light-cone sum rules

We suggest a new method to analyse the rare $D_{(s)}\to P \ell^+\ell^-$ decays ($P=\pi,K$), combining QCD light-cone sum rules (LCSR) with hadronic dispersion relations. As our main study case, we consider the $D^+\to\pi^+\ell^+\ell^-$ mode which attracts much of interest from the point of view of GIM cancellation and potential new sources of the FCNC $c\to u$ transitions. The hadronic amplitude of this decay is dominated by the combination of weak annihilation with the emission of a virtual photon. This $D^+\to \pi^+\gamma^*$ amplitude is calculated at spacelike photon virtualities, $-q^2 \gg \Lambda_{QCD}^2$, using LCSR with pion distribution amplitudes. The LCSR results are then fitted to the hadronic dispersion relation in the variable $q^2$. The fit allows us to determine relative phases of the $\rho$-,$\omega$- and $\phi$-meson terms and to estimate the contributions of heavier hadronic states. The latter are parameterized in two different ways: first, with a $z$-expansion and second, using a model with excited vector-meson resonances. The resulting $D^+\to\pi^+\ell^+\ell^-$ width obtained from the LCSR-assisted dispersion relation is not much smaller than the current upper bound measured by LHCb collaboration. In comparison with our result for the dominant $D^+\to \pi^+\gamma^*$ transition, the contribution induced by the short distance $c\to u \ell^+\ell^-$ quark transition generated by the effective $O_9$ operator in Standard Model turns out to be practically invisible. To detect its effect, one readily needs a enhancement of the coefficient $C_9$ from non-standard effects by many orders of magnitude. We also establish new $U$-spin symmetry relations between the amplitudes of $D\to P \ell^+\ell^-$ decays and apply our method to the Cabibbo-favoured modes $D^+_s\to\pi^+\ell^+\ell^-$ and $D^0\to\bar{K}^0\ell^+\ell^-$ which proceed via the same weak annihilation mechanism.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2025

QCD corrections for subleading powers in $1/m_b$ for the nonleptonic $b\rightarrow c\bar c s$ transition

We compute next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the $1/m_b^2$ terms of the Heavy Quark Expansion for the contribution to inclusive nonleptonic bottom hadron decays induced by the charged-current operators mediating the transitions $b \to c \bar c q$ ($q = s,d$). Their contributions to lifetimes are Cabibbo favoured and have large Wilson coefficents, but have not been computed before, since the presence of two heavy quarks in the final state makes this calcuation technically demanding. It finally adds the last missing piece of the full NLO terms at $1/m_b^2$ in the heavy quark expansion of $B$-hadron lifetimes. We obtain analytical results with full dependence on the final-state charm quark mass, which we provide in the supplemental file "coefbccs.m".

hep-ph↗
arXiv2024

Pushing the Heavy Quark Expansion for $b\to cl\bar{\nu}$ to Higher Order in $1/m_b$

The Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) is the major tool to perform calculations for inclusive semileptonic $B\to X_cl\bar{\nu}$ and, consequently, for precision determinations of the CKM matrix element $V_{cb}$. To further improve precision, we pushed the expansion to $1/m_b^5$ to include even higher order terms in the HQE. Notably, at $1/m_b^5$, ``intrinsic charm'' (IC) contributions proportional to $1/(m_b^3m_c^2)$ occur, which are numerically expected to be sizeable. We will therefore firstly discuss the determination of a reduced set of HQE parameters at $1/m_b^5$, employing Reparametrisation Invariance (RPI) to this end. Consequently, we will show how the IC and ``genuine" $1/m_b^5$ contribute to the different kinematical moments of $B\to X_cl\bar{\nu}$, focusing in this work on the lepton energy $E_l$ moments. Using the ``lowest-lying state saturation ansatz'' (LLSA), we estimate the size of these contributions and observe a partial cancellation between the IC and ``genuine'' $1/m_b^5$ contributions, leading to an overall small contribution.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2024

QCD corrections at subleading power for inclusive nonleptonic $b\rightarrow c\bar u d$ decays

In this paper we compute the NLO QCD corrections for the inclusive nonleptonic decay rates of $B$-hadrons at subleading power of the heavy quark expansion. In particular, we discuss the coefficient of the chromomagnetic moment parameter $\mu_G$ which has a large uncertainty at leading order due to its dependence on the renormalization scale. We find that the renormalization-scale dependence of this coefficient is significantly reduced, thereby reducing the theoretical uncertainty of the coefficient and consequently of the rates. The sign of the coefficient becomes stable, and we estimate that the NLO corrections will increase the decay rates by around $2\%$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2024

Quark-Hadron Duality Violations and Higher-Order $1/m_b$ Corrections in Inclusive Semileptonic $B$ Decays

The theoretical description and data for inclusive semileptonic $B$ decays have reached incredible precision. This motivated us to re-animate the discussion of possible Quark-Hadron Duality violations. There seems that there is currently no evidence of a failure of the Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) used to compute observables for these decays. However, we might arrive at a point where an asymptotic behaviour of the HQE would limit a further increase of precision. We discuss this possibility and suggest a simple model, which can be used to study the effects of higher orders in the $1/m_b$ expansion and possible quark-hadron duality violations. We devise observables sensitive only to such higher-order effects to test the behaviour of the HQE. Using these observables we obtain a first estimate of possible quark-hadron duality violations using the measured $q^2$ moments.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Inclusive Semileptonic $b \to c \ell \bar{\nu}$ Decays to Order $1/m_b^5$

Inclusive semileptonic $B\to X_c \ell\bar{\nu}$ decays can be described in the Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) and allow for a precision determination of the CKM element $|V_{cb}|$. We calculate the terms of $1/m_b^5$ and derive a ``trace formula'' which allows for the computation of the decay rate and kinematic moments of the spectrum up to this order in the HQE. We focus specifically on the reparametrization invariant (RPI) dilepton invariant mass $q^2$ moments of the spectrum, which depend on a reduced set of HQE parameters. At this order, ``intrinsic charm'' (IC) contributions proportional to $1/(m_b^3m_c^2)$ enter, which are numerically expected to be sizeable. Using the ``lowest-lying state saturation ansatz'' (LLSA), we estimate the size of these contributions. Within this approximation, we observe a partial cancellation between the IC and the ``genuine'' $1/m_b^5$ contributions, resulting in a small overall contribution.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

$B\to D_0^*$ and $B_s\to D_{s0}^*$ form factors from QCD light-cone sum rules

We present the first application of QCD light-cone sum rules (LCSRs) with $B_{(s)}$-meson distribution amplitudes to the $B_{(s)}\!\to\! D_{(s)0}^*$ form factors, where $D_{(s)0}^*$ is a charmed scalar meson. We consider two scenarios for the $D_0^*$ spectrum. In the first one, we follow the Particle Data Group and consider a single broad resonance $D_0^*(2300)$. In the second one, we assume the existence of two scalar resonances, $D_0^*(2105)$ and $D_0^*(2451)$, as follows from a recent theoretically motivated analysis of $B\to D\pi\pi$ decays. The $B\!\to\! D_0^*$ form factors are calculated in both scenarios, also taking into account the large total width of $D_0^*(2300)$. Furthermore, we calculate the $B_s\!\to\! D_{s0}^*$ form factors, considering in this case only the one-resonance scenario with $D_{s0}(2317)$. In this LCSRs calculation, the $c$-quark mass is kept finite and the $s$-quark mass is taken into account. We also include contributions of the two- and three-particle distribution amplitudes up to twist-four. Our predictions for semileptonic $B\!\to\! D_0^*\ell\nu_\ell$ and $B_s\!\to\! D_{s0}^*\ell\nu_\ell$ branching ratios are compared with the available data and HQET-based predictions. As a byproduct, we also obtain the $D_0^*$- and $D_{s0}^*$-meson decay constants and predict the lepton flavour universality ratios $R(D_0^*)$ and $R(D_{s0}^*)$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

The heavy quark expansion for lifetimes: Towards the QCD corrections to power suppressed terms

We consider the Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) for the nonleptonic decay rates of heavy hadrons, and compute the NLO QCD corrections to power terms up to order $1/m_Q^2$. We neglect the masses of the final-state quarks, so the application of our result is mainly for charmed hadrons. Our result can be applied also to bottomed hadrons as they constitute the main effect to this order up to corrections of $\mathcal{O}(m_c/m_b)$ and contributions due to penguin operators. We discuss the impact of our result for the lifetimes of heavy hadrons.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Alternative Treatment of the Quark Mass in the Heavy Quark Expansion

The treatment of the quark mass plays an important role when it comes to increasing the precision of the predictions of the heavy quark expansion for inclusive heavy hadron decays. Various short-distance mass schemes have been invented to minimize the uncertainties induced by the quark mass, which needs to be extracted from other, independent observables. We suggest to replace the quark mass directly by an observable such as e.g. the inverse moments of the cross section for $e^+ e^- \to $ hadrons. We investigate this alternative strategy and study its impact on the perturbative series.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2022

New Sum Rules for the $B_c \to J/\psi$ Form Factors

We derive new sum rules for the form factors of the $B_c\to J/\psi\, \ell \bar{\nu}_\ell$ semileptonic transitions, employing the vacuum-to-$B_c$ correlation function of the $J/\psi$-interpolating and $b\to c$ weak currents. In the heavy quark limit and at a space-like momentum transfer to the weak current, a local operator-product expansion is valid for this correlation function. As a result, in the leading power, the non-perturbative input is reduced to the decay constant of $B_c$ meson. Furthermore, applying hadronic dispersion relation in the $J/\psi$ channel, we find that a non-vanishing OPE spectral density in the duality interval of $J/\psi$ emerges only at $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s)$. We calculate this density in the relevant kinematic regime. The $B_c\to J/\psi$ form factors at space-like momentum transfer are then calculated from the new sum rules.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2022

$B\to D_1(2420)$ and $B\to D_1'(2430)$ form factors from QCD light-cone sum rules

We perform the first calculation of form factors in the semileptonic decays $B\!\to\! D_1(2420)\ell\nu_\ell$ and $B \to D_1^\prime (2430)\ell \nu_\ell$ using QCD light-cone sum rules (LCSRs) with $B$-meson distribution amplitudes. In this calculation the $c$-quark mass is finite. Analytical expressions for two-particle contributions up to twist four are obtained. To disentangle the $D_1$ and $D_1^\prime$ contributions in the LCSRs, we suggest a novel approach that introduces a combination of two interpolating currents for these charmed mesons. To fix all the parameters in the LCSRs, we use the two-point QCD sum rules for the decay constants of $D_1$ and $D_1^\prime$ mesons augmented by a single experimental input, that is the $B \to D_1(2420)\ell\nu_\ell$ decay width. We provide numerical results for all $B\to D_1$ and $B\to D_1^\prime$ form factors. As a byproduct, we also obtain the $D_1$- and $D_1'$-meson decay constants and predict the lepton-flavour universality ratios $R(D_1)$ and $R(D_1')$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2021

Impact of background effects on the inclusive $V_{cb}$ determination

The determination of the CKM element $V_{cb}$ from inclusive semileptonic $b\to c \ell \barν$ decays has reached a high precision thanks to a combination of theoretical and experimental efforts. Aiming towards even higher precision, we discuss two processes that contaminate the inclusive $V_{cb}$ determination; the $b\to u$ background and the contribution of the tauonic mode: $b\to c(τ\to μν\barν)\barν$. Both of these contributions are dealt with at the experimental side, using Monte-Carlo methods and momentum cuts. However, these contributions can be calculated with high precision within the Heavy-Quark Expansion. In this note, we calculate the theoretical predictions for these two processes. The $b\to u$ results are compared with generator-level Monte-Carlo results used at Belle and Belle II. We have good agreement between theory and Monte-Carlo for lepton energy moments, but less for hadronic mass moments. Based on our results the uncertainties due to these backgrounds processes can basically be eliminated by properly including them into the analyses.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2020

Inverse moment of the $B_s$-meson distribution amplitude from QCD sum rule

We derive a QCD sum rule for the inverse moment of the $B_s$-meson light-cone distribution amplitude in HQET. Within this method, the $SU(3)_{fl}$ symmetry violation is traced to the strange quark mass and to the difference between strange and nonstrange quark condensate densities. We predict the ratio of inverse moments $λ_{B_s}/λ_B= 1.19 \pm 0.14$ which can be used in various applications of these distribution amplitudes to the analyses of $B_{s}$-meson decays, provided an accurate value of $λ_B$ is available from other sources, such as the $B\to \ell ν_\ell γ$ decay.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2020

CP Violation in Three-body $B$ Decays: A Model Ansatz

The mechanism of CP violation remains one of the puzzles in particle physics. Key to understanding this phenomenon are nonleptonic $B$ decays, especially multibody decays which exhibit large CP asymmetries in various regions of phase space. A full QCD-based theoretical description of these decays is still missing, requiring the use of models to fit the data. In this paper, we suggest a model ansatz which reflects the underlying physics and the known mechanism of CP violation via the CKM matrix. In addition, since CP violation is driven by the interference between amplitudes with and without valence charm quarks, we argue that the opening of the open-charm threshold may play an important role in generating CP violation in the high invariant mass region. We present a natural extension of the isobar model to incorporate these effects. We suggest an analysis of nonleptonic three-body $B$ decay data including this extension, which would be interesting as it may give new hints to the sources of CP violation both at low and high invariant mass.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2019

Hadronic contributions to the muon anomalous moment

We discuss the hadronic contributions to the muon anomalous magnetic moment. They are dominated by light quark contributions which are constrained by the mechanism of chiral symmetry breaking. Using the leading order result based on $e^+ e^-$ scattering data, we show that the next-to-leading order contributions in the fine structure constant $α$ can be reliably calculated. Extending this idea to the hadronic four-point function we give a prediction for the light-by-light contribution.

hep-ph↗