arXiv subjects

Vincenzo Cirigliano

Publications and source records attributed to Vincenzo Cirigliano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Leptonic anomalous magnetic moments in $ν$SMEFT

We investigate contributions to the anomalous magnetic moments of charged leptons in the neutrino-extended Standard Model Effective Field Theory ($ν$SMEFT). We discuss how $ν$SMEFT operators can contribute to a lepton's magnetic moment at one- and two-loop order. We show that only one operator can account for existing electronic and muonic discrepancies, assuming new physics appears above $1$ TeV. In particular, we find that a right-handed charged current in combination with minimal sterile-active mixing can explain the discrepancy for sterile neutrino masses of $\mathcal O(100)$ GeV while avoiding direct and indirect constraints. We discuss how searches for sterile neutrino production at the (HL-)LHC, measurements of $h\rightarrow μ^+ μ^-$ and searches for $h\rightarrow e^+ e^-$, neutrinoless double beta decay experiments, and improved unitarity tests of the CKM matrix can further probe the relevant parameter space.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Charged Lepton Flavor Violation at the EIC

We present a comprehensive analysis of the potential sensitivity of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) to charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) in the channel $ep\to τX$, within the model-independent framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT). We compute the relevant cross sections to leading order in QCD and electroweak corrections and perform simulations of signal and SM background events in various $τ$ decay channels, suggesting simple cuts to enhance the associated estimated efficiencies. To assess the discovery potential of the EIC in $τ$-$e$ transitions, we study the sensitivity of other probes of this physics across a broad range of energy scales, from $pp \to e τX$ at the Large Hadron Collider to decays of $B$ mesons and $τ$ leptons, such as $τ\to e γ$, $τ\to e \ell^+ \ell^-$, and crucially the hadronic modes $τ\to e Y$ with $Y \in \{ π, K, ππ, K π, ...\}$. We find that electroweak dipole and four-fermion semi-leptonic operators involving light quarks are already strongly constrained by $τ$ decays, while operators involving the $c$ and $b$ quarks present more promising discovery potential for the EIC. An analysis of three models of leptoquarks confirms the expectations based on the SMEFT results. We also identify future directions needed to maximize the reach of the EIC in CLFV searches: these include an optimization of the $τ$ tagger in hadronic channels, an exploration of background suppression through tagging $b$ and $c$ jets in the final state, and a global fit by turning on all SMEFT couplings, which will likely reveal new discovery windows for the EIC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Determining the leading-order contact term in neutrinoless double $\boldsymbolβ$ decay

We present a method to determine the leading-order (LO) contact term contributing to the $nn \to pp e^-e^-$ amplitude through the exchange of light Majorana neutrinos. Our approach is based on the representation of the amplitude as the momentum integral of a known kernel (proportional to the neutrino propagator) times the generalized forward Compton scattering amplitude $n(p_1) n(p_2) W^+ (k) \to p(p_1^\prime) p(p_2^\prime) W^- (k)$, in analogy to the Cottingham formula for the electromagnetic contribution to hadron masses. We construct model-independent representations of the integrand in the low- and high-momentum regions, through chiral EFT and the operator product expansion, respectively. We then construct a model for the full amplitude by interpolating between these two regions, using appropriate nucleon factors for the weak currents and information on nucleon-nucleon ($N\! N$) scattering in the $^1S_0$ channel away from threshold. By matching the amplitude obtained in this way to the LO chiral EFT amplitude we obtain the relevant LO contact term and discuss various sources of uncertainty. We validate the approach by computing the analog $I = 2$ $N\! N$ contact term and by reproducing, within uncertainties, the charge-independence-breaking contribution to the $^1S_0$ $N\! N$ scattering lengths. While our analysis is performed in the $\overline{\rm MS}$ scheme, we express our final result in terms of the scheme-independent renormalized amplitude ${\cal A}_ν(|{\bf p}|,|{\bf p}^\prime|)$ at a set of kinematic points near threshold. We illustrate for two cutoff schemes how, using our synthetic data for ${\cal A}_ν$, one can determine the contact-term contribution in any regularization scheme, in particular the ones employed in nuclear-structure calculations for isotopes of experimental interest.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Towards complete leading-order predictions for neutrinoless double $β$ decay

The amplitude for the neutrinoless double $β$ ($0νββ$) decay of the two-neutron system, $nn\to ppe^-e^-$, constitutes a key building block for nuclear-structure calculations of heavy nuclei employed in large-scale $0νββ$ searches. Assuming that the $0νββ$ process is mediated by a light-Majorana-neutrino exchange, a systematic analysis in chiral effective field theory shows that already at leading order a contact operator is required to ensure renormalizability. In this work, we develop a method to estimate the numerical value of its coefficient in analogy to the Cottingham formula and validate the result by reproducing the charge-independence-breaking contribution to the nucleon-nucleon scattering lengths. Our central result, while derived in the $\overline{\text{MS}}$ scheme, is given in terms of the renormalized amplitude $\mathcal{A}_ν(|\mathbf{p}|,|\mathbf{p}^\prime|)$, matching to which will allow one to determine the contact-term contribution in regularization schemes employed in nuclear-structure calculations. Our results thus greatly reduce a crucial uncertainty in the interpretation of searches for $0νββ$ decay.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Fast flavor oscillations in dense neutrino media with collisions

We investigate the impact of the nonzero neutrino splitting and elastic neutrino-nucleon collisions on fast neutrino oscillations. Our calculations confirm that a small neutrino mass splitting and the neutrino mass hierarchy have very little effect on fast oscillation waves. We also demonstrate explicitly that fast oscillations remain largely unaffected for the time/distance scales that are much smaller than the neutrino mean free path but are damped on larger scales. This damping originates from both the direct modification of the dispersion relation of the oscillation waves in the neutrino medium and the flattening of the neutrino angular distributions over time. Our work suggests that fast neutrino oscillation waves produced near the neutrino sphere can propagate essentially unimpeded which may have ramifications in various aspects of the supernova physics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Contribution of the QCD $Θ$-term to nucleon electric dipole moment

We present a calculation of the contribution of the $Θ$-term to the neutron and proton electric dipole moments using seven 2+1+1-flavor HISQ ensembles. We also estimate the topological susceptibility for the 2+1+1 theory to be $χ_Q = (66(9)(4) \rm MeV)^4$ in the continuum limit at $M_π= 135$ MeV. The calculation of the nucleon three-point function is done using Wilson-clover valence quarks. The CP-violating form factor $F_3$ is calculated by expanding in small $Θ$. We show that lattice artifacts introduce a term proportional to $a$ that does not vanish in the chiral limit, and we include this in our chiral-continuum fits. A chiral perturbation theory analysis shows that the $N(0) π(0)$ state should provide the leading excited state contribution, and we study the effect of such a state. Detailed analysis of the contributions to the neutron and proton electric dipole moment using two strategies for removing excited state contamination are presented. Using the excited state spectrum from fits to the two-point function, we find $d_n^Θ$ is small, $|d_n^Θ| \lesssim 0.01 \overline Θe$ fm, whereas for the proton we get $|d_p^Θ| \sim 0.02 \overline Θe$ fm. On the other hand, if the dominant excited-state contribution is from the $N π$ state, then $|d_n^Θ|$ could be as large as $0.05 \overline Θe$ fm and $|d_p^Θ| \sim 0.07 \overline Θe$ fm. Our overall conclusion is that present lattice QCD calculations do not provide a reliable estimate of the contribution of the $Θ$-term to the nucleon electric dipole moments, and a factor of ten higher statistics data are needed to get better control over the systematics and possibly a $3σ$ result.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2020

Non-perturbative renormalization scheme for the CP-odd three-gluon operator

We define a regularization-independent momentum-subtraction scheme for the $CP$-odd three-gluon operator at dimension six. This operator appears in effective field theories for heavy physics beyond the Standard Model, describing the indirect effect of new sources of $CP$-violation at low energies. In a hadronic context, it induces permanent electric dipole moments. The hadronic matrix elements of the three-gluon operator are non-perturbative objects that should ideally be evaluated with lattice QCD. We define a non-perturbative renormalization scheme that can be implemented on the lattice and we compute the scheme transformation to $\overline{\text{MS}}$ at one loop. Our calculation can be used as an interface to future lattice-QCD calculations of the matrix elements of the three-gluon operator, in order to obtain theoretically robust constraints on physics beyond the Standard Model from measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Lattice QCD Inputs for Nuclear Double Beta Decay

Second order beta-decay processes with and without neutrinos in the final state are key probes of nuclear physics and of the nature of neutrinos. Neutrinoful double-beta decay is the rarest Standard Model process that has been observed and provides a unique test of the understanding of weak nuclear interactions. Observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay would reveal that neutrinos are Majorana fermions and that lepton number conservation is violated in nature. While significant progress has been made in phenomenological approaches to understanding these processes, establishing a connection between these processes and the physics of the Standard Model and beyond is a critical task as it will provide input into the design and interpretation of future experiments. The strong-interaction contributions to double-beta decay processes are non-perturbative and can only be addressed systematically through a combination of lattice Quantum Chromoodynamics (LQCD) and nuclear many-body calculations. In this review, current efforts to establish the LQCD connection are discussed for both neutrinoful and neutrinoless double-beta decay. LQCD calculations of the hadronic contributions to the neutrinoful process $nn\to pp e^- e^- \barν_e\barν_e$ and to various neutrinoless pionic transitions are reviewed, and the connections of these calculations to the phenomenology of double-beta decay through the use of effective field theory (EFTs) is highlighted. At present, LQCD calculations are limited to small nuclear systems, and to pionic subsystems, and require matching to appropriate EFTs to have direct phenomenological impact. However, these calculations have already revealed qualitatively that there are terms in the EFTs that can only be constrained from double-beta decay processes themselves or using inputs from LQCD. Future prospects for direct calculations in larger nuclei are also discussed.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Neutron Electric Dipole Moments with Clover Fermions

We present preliminary results for the contributions to the neutron EDM arising from the QCD $θ$-term, the Weinberg three-gluon and the quark chromo-EDM operators from our ongoing lattice calculations using clover valence quarks on the MILC HISQ lattices. We use the gradient-flow technique to smooth the lattices and renormalize the gluonic operators, and use the Schwinger source method to incorporate the quark chromo-EDM interactions in the quark propagator. For the QCD $θ$-term and the Weinberg three-gluon operator, we report results in the gradient-flow scheme from 8 ensembles at four lattice spacings and three pion masses, including 2 physical pion mass ensembles. For the quark chromo-EDM, unrenormalized results are presented at two lattice spacings, $a=0.12$ and $0.09$ fm, and two pion masses, $M_π= 310$ MeV and $220$ MeV.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

$\boldsymbol{C\!P}\!$ violation in Higgs-gauge interactions: from tabletop experiments to the LHC

We investigate the interplay between the high- and low-energy phenomenology of $C\!P$-violating interactions of the Higgs boson with gauge bosons. For this purpose we use an effective field theory approach and consider all dimension-6 operators arising in so-called universal theories. We compute their loop-induced contributions to electric dipole moments and the $C\!P$ asymmetry in $B\to X_sγ$, and compare the resulting current and prospective constraints to the projected sensitivity of the LHC. Low-energy measurements are shown to generally have a far stronger constraining power, which results in highly correlated allowed regions in coupling space, a distinctive pattern that could be probed at the high-luminosity LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Hadronic tau decays as New Physics probes in the LHC era

We analyze the sensitivity of hadronic tau decays to non-standard interactions within the model-independent framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT). Both exclusive and inclusive decays are studied, using the latest lattice data and QCD dispersion relations. We show that there are enough theoretically clean channels to disentangle all the effective couplings contributing to these decays, with the $τ\to ππν_τ$ channel representing an unexpected powerful New Physics probe. We find that the ratios of non-standard couplings to the Fermi constant are bound at the sub-percent level. These bounds are complementary to the ones from electroweak precision observables and $p p \to τν_τ$ measurements at the LHC. The combination of tau decay and LHC data puts tighter constraints on lepton universality violation in the gauge boson-lepton vertex corrections.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

The Role of Lattice QCD in Searches for Violations of Fundamental Symmetries and Signals for New Physics

This document is one of a series of whitepapers from the USQCD collaboration. Here, we discuss opportunities for Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (LQCD) in the research frontier in fundamental symmetries and signals for new physics. LQCD, in synergy with effective field theories and nuclear many-body studies, provides theoretical support to ongoing and planned experimental programs in searches for electric dipole moments of the nucleon, nuclei and atoms, decay of the proton, $n$-$\overline{n}$ oscillations, neutrinoless double-$β$ decay of a nucleus, conversion of muon to electron, precision measurements of weak decays of the nucleon and of nuclei, precision isotope-shift spectroscopy, as well as direct dark matter detection experiments using nuclear targets. This whitepaper details the objectives of the LQCD program in the area of Fundamental Symmetries within the USQCD collaboration, identifies priorities that can be addressed within the next five years, and elaborates on the areas that will likely demand a high degree of innovation in both numerical and analytical frontiers of the LQCD research.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2019

Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of dark matter scattering off light nuclei

We compute the matrix elements for elastic scattering of dark matter (DM) particles off light nuclei ($^2$H, $^3$H, $^3$He, $^4$He and $^6$Li) using quantum Monte Carlo methods. We focus on scalar-mediated DM-nucleus interactions and use scalar currents obtained to next-to-leading order in chiral effective theory. The nuclear ground states are obtained from a phenomenological nuclear Hamiltonian that includes the Argonne $v_{18}$ two-body interaction and the three-body Urbana IX interaction. Within this approach, we study the impact of one- and two-body currents and discuss the size of nuclear uncertainties, including for the first time two-body effects in $A=4$ and $A=6$ systems. Our results provide the nuclear structure input needed to assess the sensitivity of future experimental searches of (light) dark matter using light nuclei, such as $^3$He and $^4$He.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

Neutron Electric Dipole Moment from Beyond the Standard Model

We present an update on our calculations of the matrix elements of the CP violating quark and gluon chromo-EDM operators, as well as the operators these mix with, such as the QCD Theta-term. Their contribution to the neutron EDM is obtained by extrapolating the $F_3$ form factor of a vector current to zero momentum transfer. The calculation is being done using valence Wilson-clover quarks on HISQ background configurations generated by the MILC collaboration.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Isovector and flavor diagonal charges of the nucleon from 2+1+1 flavor QCD

We present high-statistics results for the isovector and flavor diagonal charges of the proton using 11 ensembles of 2+1+1 flavor HISQ fermions. In the isospin symmetric limit, results for the neutron are given by the $u \leftrightarrow d$ interchange. A chiral-continuum fit with leading order corrections was made to extract the connected and disconnected contributions in the continuum limit and at $M_π=135$ MeV. All results are given in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme at 2 GeV. The isovector charges, $g_A^{u-d} = 1.218(25)(30)$, $g_S^{u-d} = 1.022(80)(60) $ and $g_T^{u-d} = 0.989(32)(10)$, are used to obtain low-energy constraints on novel scalar and tensor interactions, $ε_{S}$ and $ε_{T}$, at the TeV scale. The flavor diagonal axial charges are: $g_A^u \equiv Δu \equiv \langle 1 \rangle_{Δu^+} = 0.777(25)(30)$, $g_A^d \equiv Δd \equiv \langle 1 \rangle_{Δd^+} = -0.438(18)(30)$, and $g_A^s \equiv Δs \equiv \langle 1 \rangle_{Δs^+} = -0.053(8)$. Their sum gives the total quark contribution to the proton spin, $\sum_{q=u,d,s} (\frac{1}{2} Δq) = 0.143(31)(36)$. This result is in good agreement with the recent COMPASS analysis $0.13 < \frac{1}{2} ΔΣ< 0.18$. Implications of results for the flavor diagonal tensor charges, $g_T^u = 0.784(28)(10)$, $g_T^d = -0.204(11)(10)$ and $g_T^s = -0.0027(16)$ for constraining the quark electric dipole moments and their contributions to the neutron electric dipole moment are discussed. These flavor diagonal charges also give the strength of the interaction of dark matter with nucleons via axial and tensor mediators.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Isovector Charges of the Nucleon from 2+1+1-flavor Lattice QCD

We present high statistics results for the isovector charges $g^{u-d}_A$, $g^{u-d}_S$ and $g^{u-d}_T$ of the nucleon. Calculations were carried out on eleven ensembles of gauge configurations generated by the MILC collaboration using highly improved staggered quarks (HISQ) action with 2+1+1 dynamical flavors. These ensembles span four lattice spacings $a \approx$ 0.06, 0.09, 0.12 and 0.15 fm and light-quark masses corresponding to $M_π\approx$ 135, 225 and 315 MeV. Excited-state contamination in the nucleon 3-point correlation functions is controlled by including up to three-states in the spectral decomposition. Remaining systematic uncertainties associated with lattice discretization, lattice volume and light-quark masses are controlled using a simultaneous fit in these three variables. Our final estimates of the isovector charges in the $\overline{\text{MS}}$ scheme at 2 GeV are $g_A^{u-d} = 1.218(25)(30)$, $g_S^{u-d} = 1.022(80)(60) $ and $g_T^{u-d} = 0.989(32)(10)$. The first error includes statistical and all systematic uncertainties except that due to the extrapolation ansatz, which is given by the second error estimate. We provide a detailed comparison with the recent result of $g_A^{u-d} = 1.271(13)$ by the CalLat collaboration and argue that our error estimate is more realistic. Combining our estimate for $g_S^{u-d}$ with the difference of light quarks masses $(m_d-m_u)^{\rm QCD}=2.572(66)$ MeV given by the MILC/Fermilab/TUMQCD collaboration for 2+1+1-flavor theory, we obtain $(M_N-M_P)^{\rm QCD} = 2.63(27)$ MeV. We update the low-energy constraints on novel scalar and tensor interactions, $ε_{S}$ and $ε_{T}$, at the TeV scale by combining our new estimates for $g^{u-d}_S$ and $g^{u-d}_T$ with precision low-energy nuclear experiments, and find them comparable to those from the ATLAS and the CMS experiments at the LHC.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Flavor diagonal tensor charges of the nucleon from 2+1+1 flavor lattice QCD

We present state-of-the-art results for the matrix elements of flavor diagonal tensor operators within the nucleon state. The calculation of the dominant connected contribution is done using eleven ensembles of gauge configurations generated by the MILC Collaboration using the highly improved staggered quark (HISQ) action with 2+1+1 dynamical flavors. The calculation of the disconnected contributions is done using seven (six) ensembles for the strange (light) quarks. These high-statistics simulations allowed us to address various systematic uncertainties. A simultaneous fit in the lattice spacing and the light-quark mass is used to extract the tensor charges in the continuum limit and at $M_π=135$ MeV. Results for the proton in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme at 2~GeV are: $g_T^u = 0.784(28)(10)$, $g_T^d = -0.204(11)(10)$ and $g_T^s = -0.0027(16)$. Implications of these results for constraining the quark electric dipole moments and their contributions to the neutron electric dipole moment are discussed.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Spin-dependent $μ\to e$ conversion

The experimental sensitivity to $μ\to e$ conversion on nuclei is expected to improve by four orders of magnitude in coming years. We consider the impact of $μ\to e$ flavour-changing tensor and axial-vector four-fermion operators which couple to the spin of nucleons. Such operators, which have not previously been considered, contribute to $μ\to e$ conversion in three ways: in nuclei with spin they mediate a spin-dependent transition; in all nuclei they contribute to the coherent ($A^2$-enhanced) spin-independent conversion via finite recoil effects and via loop mixing with dipole, scalar, and vector operators. We estimate the spin-dependent rate in Aluminium (the target of the upcoming COMET and Mu2e experiments), show that the loop effects give the greatest sensitivity to tensor and axial-vector operators involving first-generation quarks, and discuss the complementarity of the spin-dependent and independent contributions to $μ\to e$ conversion

hep-ph↗