arXiv subjects

Zoltan Ligeti

Publications and source records attributed to Zoltan Ligeti.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

A model independent determination of the B -> Xs gamma decay rate

The goal of the SIMBA collaboration is to provide a global fit to the available measurements of inclusive B -> X_s gamma and B -> X_u l nu decays. By performing a global fit one is able to simultaneously determine the relevant normalizations, i.e. the total B -> X_s gamma rate and the CKM-matrix element |Vub|, together with the required hadronic parameters, most importantly the b-quark mass and the b-quark distribution function in the B-meson, called the shape function. In this talk, the current status on the model-independent determination of the shape function and |C7^\incl Vtb Vts*|, which parametrizes the total B -> Xs gamma rate, from a global fit to the available B -> X_s gamma measurements from Babar and Belle is presented. In particular, the theoretical uncertainties originating from variations of the different factorization scales are evaluated.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Proposal to solve a few puzzles in semileptonic B decays

We discussed the impact of the existence of B -> D' l nu decays to radially excited D' mesons on various long-standing puzzles in the experimental data of semileptonic b -> c ell nu decays, as summarized in our recent article arXiv:1202.1834, and updated some numbers.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

On the Universality of CP Violation in Delta F = 1 Processes

We show that new physics which breaks the left-handed SU(3)_Q quark flavor symmetry induces contributions to CP violation in Delta F = 1 couplings which are approximately universal, in that they are not affected by flavor rotations between the up and the down mass bases. (Only the short distance contributions are universal, while observables are also affected by hadronic matrix elements.) Therefore, such flavor violation cannot be aligned, and is constrained by the strongest bound from either the up or the down sectors. We use this result to show that the bound from eps'/eps prohibits an SU(3)_Q breaking explanation of the recent LHCb evidence for CP violation in D meson decays. Another consequence of this universality is that supersymmetric alignment models with a moderate mediation scale are consistent with the data, and are harder to probe via CP violating observables. With current constraints, therefore, squarks need not be degenerate. However, future improvements in the measurement of CP violation in D-Dbar mixing will start to probe alignment models.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

A proposal to solve some puzzles in semileptonic B decays

Some long-standing problems in the experimental data for semileptonic b -> c l nu decay rates have resisted attempts to resolve them, despite substantial efforts. We summarize the issues, and propose a possible resolution, which may alleviate several of these tensions simultaneously, including the "1/2 vs. 3/2 puzzle" and the composition of the inclusive decay rate in terms of exclusive channels.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Constraining CP violation in neutral meson mixing with theory input

There has been a lot of recent interest in the experimental hints of CP violation in B_{d,s}^0 mixing, which would be a clear signal of beyond the standard model physics (with higher significance). We derive a new relation for the mixing parameters, which allows clearer interpretation of the data in models in which new physics enters in M_12 and/or Γ_12. Our results imply that the central value of the DØ measurement of the semileptonic CP asymmetry in B_{d,s}^0 decay is not only in conflict with the standard model, but in a stronger tension with data on ΔΓ_s than previously appreciated. This result can be used to improve the constraint on ΔΓor A_SL, whichever is less precisely measured.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Implications of the LHCb Evidence for Charm CP Violation

The LHCb collaboration recently announced preliminary evidence for CP violation in D meson decays. We discuss this result in the context of the standard model (SM), as well as its extensions. In the absence of reliable methods to evaluate the hadronic matrix elements involved, we can only estimate qualitatively the magnitude of the non-SM tree level operators required to generate the observed central value. In the context of an effective theory, we list the operators that can give rise to the measured CP violation and investigate constraints on them from other processes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

On dark matter models with uniquely spin-dependent detection possibilities

With much higher sensitivities due to coherence effects, it is often assumed that the first evidence for direct dark matter detection will come from experiments probing spin-independent interactions. We explore models that would be invisible in such experiments, but detectable via spin-dependent interactions. The existence of much larger (or even only) spin-dependent tree-level interactions is not sufficient, due to potential spin-independent subdominant or loop-induced interactions. We find that in such a way most models with detectable spin-dependent interactions would also generate detectable spin-independent interactions. Models in which a light pseudoscalar acts as the mediator seem to uniquely evade this conclusion. We present a particular viable dark matter model generating such an interaction.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Comment on measuring the t-tbar forward-backward asymmetry at ATLAS and CMS

We suggest a new possibility for ATLAS and CMS to explore the t-tbar forward-backward asymmetry measured at the Tevatron, by attempting to reconstruct t-tbar events, with one of the tops decaying semileptonically in the central region (|η| < 2.5) and the other decaying hadronically in the forward region (|η| > 2.5). For several models which give comparable Tevatron signals, we study the charge asymmetry at the LHC as a function of cuts on |η| and on the t-tbar invariant mass, m_{t-tbar}. We show that there is an interesting complementarity between cuts on |η| and m_{t-tbar} to suppress the dominant and symmetric gg -> t-tbar rate, and different combinations of cuts enhance the distinguishing power between models. This complementarity is likely to hold in other new physics scenarios as well, which affect the t-tbar cross section, so it motivates extending t-tbar reconstruction to higher |η|.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory - Preliminary Design Report

The DUSEL Project has produced the Preliminary Design of the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the rehabilitated former Homestake mine in South Dakota. The Facility design calls for, on the surface, two new buildings - one a visitor and education center, the other an experiment assembly hall - and multiple repurposed existing buildings. To support underground research activities, the design includes two laboratory modules and additional spaces at a level 4,850 feet underground for physics, biology, engineering, and Earth science experiments. On the same level, the design includes a Department of Energy-shepherded Large Cavity supporting the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment. At the 7,400-feet level, the design incorporates one laboratory module and additional spaces for physics and Earth science efforts. With input from some 25 science and engineering collaborations, the Project has designed critical experimental space and infrastructure needs, including space for a suite of multidisciplinary experiments in a laboratory whose projected life span is at least 30 years. From these experiments, a critical suite of experiments is outlined, whose construction will be funded along with the facility. The Facility design permits expansion and evolution, as may be driven by future science requirements, and enables participation by other agencies. The design leverages South Dakota's substantial investment in facility infrastructure, risk retirement, and operation of its Sanford Laboratory at Homestake. The Project is planning education and outreach programs, and has initiated efforts to establish regional partnerships with underserved populations - regional American Indian and rural populations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

Explaining the t tbar forward-backward asymmetry without dijet or flavor anomalies

We consider new physics explanations of the anomaly in the top quark forward-backward asymmetry measured at the Tevatron, in the context of flavor conserving models. The recently measured LHC dijet distributions strongly constrain many otherwise viable models. A new scalar particle in the antitriplet representation of flavor and color can fit the t tbar asymmetry and cross section data at the Tevatron and avoid both low- and high-energy bounds from flavor physics and the LHC. An s-channel resonance in uc to uc scattering at the LHC is predicted to be not far from the current sensitivity. This model also predicts rich top quark physics for the early LHC from decays of the new scalar particles. Single production gives t tbar j signatures with high transverse momentum jet, pair production leads to t tbar j j and 4 jet final states.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Status of SIMBA

The goal of the SIMBA collaboration is to provide a global fit to the available data in inclusive B -> X_s gamma and B -> X_u l nu decays. By performing a global fit one is able to simultaneously determine the relevant normalizations, i.e. the total B -> X_s gamma rate and the CKM-matrix element |Vub|, together with the required input parameters, most importantly the b-quark mass and the b-quark distribution function in the B-meson, called the shape function. This strategy is analogous to the determination of |Vcb| from global fits to inclusive B -> X_c l nu decays. In this talk, we present preliminary results for the shape function and |C_7^incl Vtb Vts^*|, which parametrizes the total B -> X_s gamma rate, from a global fit to the available B -> X_s gamma measurements from BABAR and Belle.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Supermodels: Early new physics at the LHC?

We investigate new physics that could be discovered with very little LHC data, beyond the expected sensitivity of the Tevatron. We construct "supermodels", for which the LHC sensitivity with 10 pb-1 luminosity is already greater than that of the Tevatron with 10 fb-1. The simplest supermodels involve s-channel resonances in the quark-antiquark and especially in the quark-quark channels. In the latter case, the LHC sensitivity with 0.1 pb-1 can already be greater than that of the Tevatron with 10 fb-1. We concentrate on easily visible final states with small standard model backgrounds, and find that there are simple searches, besides those for Z' states, which could discover new physics in early LHC data. Many of these are well-suited to test searches for "conventional" models, often discussed for larger data sets.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Towards a global fit to extract the B->Xs gamma decay rate and Vub

The total B->Xs gamma decay rate and the CKM-matrix element Vub play an important role in finding indirect evidence for new physics affecting the flavor sector of the Standard Model, complementary to direct searches at the LHC and Tevatron. Their determination from inclusive B-meson decays requires the precise knowledge of the parton distribution function of the b quark in the B meson, called the shape function. We implement a new model-independent framework for the shape function with reliable uncertainties based on an expansion in a suitable set of basis functions. We present the current status of a global fit to BaBar and Belle data to extract the shape function and the B->Xs gamma decay rate.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Implications of the dimuon CP asymmetry in B_{d,s} decays

The D0 Collaboration reported a 3.2sigma deviation from the standard model prediction in the like-sign dimuon asymmetry. Assuming that new physics contributes only to B_{d,s} mixing, we show that the data can be analyzed without using the theoretical calculation of ΔΓ_s, allowing for robust interpretations. We find that this framework gives a good fit to all measurements, including the recent CDF S_{ψϕ} result. The data allow universal new physics with similar contributions relative to the SM in the B_d and B_s systems, but favors a larger deviation in B_s than in B_d mixing. The general minimal flavor violation framework with flavor diagonal CP violating phases can account for the former and remarkably even for the latter case. This observation makes it simpler to speculate about which extensions with general flavor structure may also fit the data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Constraining weak annihilation using semileptonic D decays

The recently measured semileptonic D_s decay rate can be used to constrain weak annihilation (WA) effects in semileptonic D and B decays. We revisit the theoretical predictions for inclusive semileptonic D_{(s)} decays using a variety of quark mass schemes. The most reliable results are obtained if the fits to B decay distributions are used to eliminate the charm quark mass dependence, without using any specific charm mass scheme. Our fit to the available data shows that WA is smaller than commonly assumed. There is no indication that the WA octet contribution (which is better constrained than the singlet contribution) dominates. The results constrain an important source of uncertainty in the extraction of |Vub| from inclusive semileptonic B decays.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Constraining the Axion Portal with B -> K l+ l-

We investigate the bounds on axionlike states from flavor-changing neutral current b->s decays, assuming the axion couples to the standard model through mixing with the Higgs sector. Such GeV-scale axions have received renewed attention in connection with observed cosmic ray excesses. We find that existing B->K l+ l- data impose stringent bounds on the axion decay constant in the multi-TeV range, relevant for constraining the "axion portal" model of dark matter. Such bounds also constrain light Higgs scenarios in the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model. These bounds can be improved by dedicated searches in B-factory data and at LHCb.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Supermodels for early LHC

We investigate what new physics signatures the LHC can discover in the 2009-2010 run, beyond the expected sensitivity of the Tevatron data by 2010. We construct "supermodels", for which the LHC sensitivity even with only 10 inverse picobarn is greater than that of the Tevatron with 10 inverse femtobarn. The simplest supermodels involve s-channel resonances in the quark-antiquark and especially in the quark-quark channels. We concentrate on easily visible final states with small standard model backgrounds, and find that there are simple searches, besides those for Z' states, which could discover new physics in early LHC data. Many of these are well-suited to test searches for "more conventional" models, often discussed for multi-inverse femtobarn data sets.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Future prospects of B physics

In recent years, the CKM picture of flavor and CP violation has been confirmed, mainly due to B decay data. Yet, it is likely that there are small corrections to this picture. We expect to find new physics not much above the weak scale. This new physics could modify flavor changing processes compared to their SM expectations. Much larger B decay data sets, which are expected from LHCb and super-$B$-factories, will be used to search for these deviations with much improved sensitivity. The combination of low and high energy data will be particularly useful to probe the structure of new physics.

hep-ph↗