31 research outputs found
Flavour constraints on scenarios with two or three heavy squark generations
We re-assess constraints from flavour-changing neutral currents in the kaon
system on supersymmetric scenarios with a light gluino, two heavy generations
of squarks and a lighter third generation. We compute for the first time limits
in scenarios with three heavy squark families, taking into account QCD
corrections at the next-to-leading order. We compare our limits with those in
the case of two heavy families. We use the mass insertion approximation and
consider contributions from gluino exchange to constrain the mixing between the
first and second squark generation. While it is not possible to perform a
general analysis, we assess the relevance of each kind of flavour- and
CP-violating parameters. We also provide ready to use magic numbers for the
computation of the Wilson coefficients at 2 GeV for these scenarios.Comment: 23 pages, 14 figures; v3: matches published version (contains
improvements in the presentation and clarifications
On the Standard Model prediction for BR(B{s,d} to mu+ mu-)
The decay Bs to mu+ mu- is one of the milestones of the flavor program at the
LHC. We reappraise its Standard Model prediction. First, by analyzing the
theoretical rate in the light of its main parametric dependence, we highlight
the importance of a complete evaluation of higher-order electroweak
corrections, at present known only in the large-mt limit, and leaving sizable
dependence on the definition of electroweak parameters. Using insights from a
complete calculation of such corrections for K to pi bar{nu} nu decays, we find
a scheme in which NLO electroweak corrections are likely to be negligible.
Second, we address the issue of the correspondence between the initial and the
final state detected by the experiments, and those used in the theoretical
prediction. Particular attention is devoted to the effect of the soft
radiation, that has not been discussed for this mode in the previous
literature, and that can lead to O(10%) corrections to the decay rate. The
"non-radiative" branching ratio (that is equivalent to the branching ratio
fully inclusive of bremsstrahlung radiation) is estimated to be (3.23 +/- 0.27)
x 10^{-9} for the flavor eigenstate, with the main uncertainty resulting from
the value of f_{Bs}, followed by the uncertainty due to higher order
electroweak corrections. Applying the same strategy to Bd to mu+ mu-, we find
for its non-radiative branching ratio (1.07 +/- 0.10) x 10^{-10}.Comment: 15 pages. v3: very minor changes to match the journal version (EPJC
Flavour and Collider Interplay for SUSY at LHC7
The current 7 TeV run of the LHC experiment shall be able to probe gluino and
squark masses up to values larger than 1 TeV. Assuming that hints for SUSY are
found in the jets plus missing energy channel by the end of a 5 fb run,
we explore the flavour constraints on three models with a CMSSM-like spectrum:
the CMSSM itself, a Seesaw extension of the CMSSM, and Flavoured CMSSM. In
particular, we focus on decays that might have been measured by the time the
run is concluded, such as and . We also analyse
constraints imposed by neutral meson bounds and electric dipole moments. The
interplay between collider and flavour experiments is explored through the use
of three benchmark scenarios, finding the flavour feedback useful in order to
determine the model parameters and to test the consistency of the different
models.Comment: 44 pages, 15 figures; v3: minor corrections, added references,
updated figures. Version accepted for publicatio
Supersymmetry beyond minimal flavour violation
We review the sources and phenomenology of non-minimal flavour violation in
the MSSM. We discuss in some detail the most important theoretical and
experimental constraints, as well as promising observables to look for
supersymmetric effects at the LHC and in the future. We emphasize the
sensitivity of flavour physics to the mechanism of supersymmetry breaking and
to new degrees of freedom present at fundamental scales, such as the grand
unification scale. We include a discussion of present data that may hint at
departures from the Standard Model.Comment: 23pp. Version to appear in the EPJC special volume "Supersymmetry on
the Eve of the LHC", dedicated to the memory of Julius Wess. References and
brief discussion on collider signatures adde
Mass Bounds on a Very Light Neutralino
Within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) we systematically
investigate the bounds on the mass of the lightest neutralino. We allow for
non-universal gaugino masses and thus even consider massless neutralinos, while
assuming in general that R-parity is conserved. Our main focus are laboratory
constraints. We consider collider data, precision observables, and also rare
meson decays to very light neutralinos. We then discuss the astrophysical and
cosmological implications. We find that a massless neutralino is allowed by all
existing experimental data and astrophysical and cosmological observations.Comment: 36 pages, 13 figures, minor modification in astro-physical bounds.
EPJC versio
Probing exotic phenomena at the interface of nuclear and particle physics with the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms: A unique window to hadronic and semi-leptonic CP violation
The current status of electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms which
involves the synergy between atomic experiments and three different theoretical
areas -- particle, nuclear and atomic is reviewed. Various models of particle
physics that predict CP violation, which is necessary for the existence of such
electric dipole moments, are presented. These include the standard model of
particle physics and various extensions of it. Effective hadron level combined
charge conjugation (C) and parity (P) symmetry violating interactions are
derived taking into consideration different ways in which a nucleon interacts
with other nucleons as well as with electrons. Nuclear structure calculations
of the CP-odd nuclear Schiff moment are discussed using the shell model and
other theoretical approaches. Results of the calculations of atomic electric
dipole moments due to the interaction of the nuclear Schiff moment with the
electrons and the P and time-reversal (T) symmetry violating
tensor-pseudotensor electron-nucleus are elucidated using different
relativistic many-body theories. The principles of the measurement of the
electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms are outlined. Upper limits for the
nuclear Schiff moment and tensor-pseudotensor coupling constant are obtained
combining the results of atomic experiments and relativistic many-body
theories. The coefficients for the different sources of CP violation have been
estimated at the elementary particle level for all the diamagnetic atoms of
current experimental interest and their implications for physics beyond the
standard model is discussed. Possible improvements of the current results of
the measurements as well as quantum chromodynamics, nuclear and atomic
calculations are suggested.Comment: 46 pages, 19 tables and 16 figures. A review article accepted for
EPJ
A next-generation liquid xenon observatory for dark matter and neutrino physics
The nature of dark matter and properties of neutrinos are among the most pressing issues in contemporary particle physics. The dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber is the leading technology to cover the available parameter space for weakly interacting massive particles, while featuring extensive sensitivity to many alternative dark matter candidates. These detectors can also study neutrinos through neutrinoless double-beta decay and through a variety of astrophysical sources. A next-generation xenon-based detector will therefore be a true multi-purpose observatory to significantly advance particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, solar physics, and cosmology. This review article presents the science cases for such a detector