Nonperturbative m_X cut effects in B -> Xs l+ l- observables

Recently, it was shown that in inclusive B -> Xs l+ l- decay, an angular decomposition provides three independent (q^2 dependent) observables. A strategy was formulated to extract all measurable Wilson coefficients in B -> Xs l+ l- from a few simple integrals of these observables in the low q^2 region. The experimental measurements in the low q^2 region require a cut on the hadronic invariant mass, which introduces a dependence on nonperturbative b quark distribution functions. The associated hadronic uncertainties could potentially limit the sensitivity of these decays to new physics. We compute the nonperturbative corrections to all three observables at leading and subleading order in the power expansion in \Lambda_QCD/m_b. We find that the subleading power corrections give sizeable corrections, of order -5% to -10% depending on the observable and the precise value of the hadronic mass cut. They cause a shift of order -0.05 GeV^2 to -0.1 GeV^2 in the zero of the forward-backward asymmetry.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, v2: corrected typos and Eq. (25), v3: journal versio

Quantum Algorithms for Fermionic Quantum Field Theories

Extending previous work on scalar field theories, we develop a quantum algorithm to compute relativistic scattering amplitudes in fermionic field theories, exemplified by the massive Gross-Neveu model, a theory in two spacetime dimensions with quartic interactions. The algorithm introduces new techniques to meet the additional challenges posed by the characteristics of fermionic fields, and its run time is polynomial in the desired precision and the energy. Thus, it constitutes further progress towards an efficient quantum algorithm for simulating the Standard Model of particle physics.Comment: 29 page

Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Field Theories

Quantum field theory reconciles quantum mechanics and special relativity, and plays a central role in many areas of physics. We develop a quantum algorithm to compute relativistic scattering probabilities in a massive quantum field theory with quartic self-interactions (phi-fourth theory) in spacetime of four and fewer dimensions. Its run time is polynomial in the number of particles, their energy, and the desired precision, and applies at both weak and strong coupling. In the strong-coupling and high-precision regimes, our quantum algorithm achieves exponential speedup over the fastest known classical algorithm.Comment: v2: appendix added (15 pages + 25-page appendix

Quantum Computation of Scattering in Scalar Quantum Field Theories

Quantum field theory provides the framework for the most fundamental physical theories to be confirmed experimentally, and has enabled predictions of unprecedented precision. However, calculations of physical observables often require great computational complexity and can generally be performed only when the interaction strength is weak. A full understanding of the foundations and rich consequences of quantum field theory remains an outstanding challenge. We develop a quantum algorithm to compute relativistic scattering amplitudes in massive phi-fourth theory in spacetime of four and fewer dimensions. The algorithm runs in a time that is polynomial in the number of particles, their energy, and the desired precision, and applies at both weak and strong coupling. Thus, it offers exponential speedup over existing classical methods at high precision or strong coupling

Subleading Shape-Function Effects and the Extraction of |V_ub|

We derive a class of formulae relating moments of B -> Xu l nu to B -> Xs gamma in the shape function region, where m_X^2 ~ m_b Lambda_QCD. We also derive an analogous class of formulae involving the decay B -> Xs l+ l-. These results incorporate Lambda_QCD/m_b power corrections, but are independent of leading and subleading hadronic shape functions. Consequently, they enable one to determine |V_ub|/|V_tb V_ts*| to subleading order in a model-independent way.Comment: 23 page

BQP-completeness of Scattering in Scalar Quantum Field Theory

Recent work has shown that quantum computers can compute scattering probabilities in massive quantum field theories, with a run time that is polynomial in the number of particles, their energy, and the desired precision. Here we study a closely related quantum field-theoretical problem: estimating the vacuum-to-vacuum transition amplitude, in the presence of spacetime-dependent classical sources, for a massive scalar field theory in (1+1) dimensions. We show that this problem is BQP-hard; in other words, its solution enables one to solve any problem that is solvable in polynomial time by a quantum computer. Hence, the vacuum-to-vacuum amplitude cannot be accurately estimated by any efficient classical algorithm, even if the field theory is very weakly coupled, unless BQP=BPP. Furthermore, the corresponding decision problem can be solved by a quantum computer in a time scaling polynomially with the number of bits needed to specify the classical source fields, and this problem is therefore BQP-complete. Our construction can be regarded as an idealized architecture for a universal quantum computer in a laboratory system described by massive phi^4 theory coupled to classical spacetime-dependent sources.Comment: 41 pages, 7 figures. Corrected typo in foote

Heavy Color-Octet Particles at the LHC

Many new-physics models, especially those with a color-triplet top-quark partner, contain a heavy color-octet state. The "naturalness" argument for a light Higgs boson requires that the color-octet state be not much heavier than a TeV, and thus it can be pair-produced with large cross sections at high-energy hadron colliders. It may decay preferentially to a top quark plus a top-partner, which subsequently decays to a top quark plus a color-singlet state. This singlet can serve as a WIMP dark-matter candidate. Such decay chains lead to a spectacular signal of four top quarks plus missing energy. We pursue a general categorization of the color-octet states and their decay products according to their spin and gauge quantum numbers. We review the current bounds on the new states at the LHC and study the expected discovery reach at the 8-TeV and 14-TeV runs. We also present the production rates at a future 100-TeV hadron collider, where the cross sections will be many orders of magnitude greater than at the 14-TeV LHC. Furthermore, we explore the extent to which one can determine the color octet's mass, spin, and chiral couplings. Finally, we propose a test to determine whether the fermionic color octet is a Majorana particle.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures; journal versio

Universality and m_X cut effects in B -> Xs l+ l-

The most precise comparison between theory and experiment for the B -> Xs l+ l- rate is in the low q^2 region, but the hadronic uncertainties associated with an experimentally required cut on m_X potentially spoil the search for new physics in these decays. We show that a 10-30% reduction of d\Gamma(B -> Xs l+ l-) / dq^2 due to the m_X cut can be accurately computed using the B -> X_s gamma shape function. The effect is universal for all short distance contributions in the limit m_X^2 << m_B^2, and this universality is spoiled neither by realistic values of the m_X cut nor by alpha_s corrections. Both the differential decay rate and forward-backward asymmetry with an m_X cut are computed.Comment: 5 pages, journal versio