The anomalously large like-sign dimuon charge asymmetry in semileptonic b-hadron decays recently measured by the D0 Collaboration may be hinting at the presence of CP-violating new physics in the mixing of B_s mesons. It has been suggested that the effect of a nonstandard spin-1 particle lighter than the b quark with flavor-changing couplings to b and s quarks can reproduce the D0 result within its one-sigma range. Here we explore the possibility that the new particle also couples to charged leptons l=e,mu and thus contributes to rare b -> s processes involving the leptons. We consider in particular constraints on its couplings from existing experimental data on the inclusive B -> X_s l^+ l^- and exclusive B -> K^{(*)} l^+ l^- decays, as well as the anomalous magnetic moments of the leptons. We find that there is parameter space of the particle that is allowed by the current data. Future measurements of these B transitions and rare decays of the B_s meson, such as B_s -> (phi,eta,eta') l^+ l^- and B_s -> l^+ l^-, at LHCb and next-generation B factories can probe its presence or couplings more stringently.
With anomalies found in cosmic ray observations and unsolved questions of the Standard Model of particle physics like the discrepancy in the muon's anomalous magnetic moment, the idea of an U(1) extension of the Standard Model arose. This extension allows for the interaction of Dark Matter by exchange of a photon-like massive force carrier $A'$ not included in the Standard Model. We discuss the possibility to constrain the dark photon parameter space by using data taken from rare kaon decays. Therefore we analyze the decay $K\rightarrow μνA'$ as a signal process and calculate the expected Stan…
We study the constraints on flavour violating terms in low energy SUSY coming from several processes as li -> lj gamma, li -> lj lj lj and mu -> e in Nuclei. We show that a combined analysis of the processes allows us to extract additional information with respect to an individual analysis of all the processes. In particular, it makes possible to put bounds on sectors previously unconstrained by li -> lj gamma. We perform the analysis both in the mass eigenstate and in the mass insertion approximations clarifying the limit of applicability of these approximations.
Rare $B$, $D$ and $K$ decays provide interesting probes of the Standard Model (SM), with a potential sensitivity to New Physics (NP) higher than other, more common, decays. Their experimental measurement is challenging, and their theoretical interpretation requires a precise knowledge of QCD at low energies, in the non-perturbative (hadronic) regime. The various $b$, $c$, $s$ decays provide different types of tests of the Standard Model, which can be performed in different experimental settings and which may exhibit correlated deviations in models of New Physics.
Exclusive rare Higgs decays into lepton pair plus one light hadron, such as $h\to ρ^0(ω)\ell\bar{\ell}$, $h\to π^0\ell\bar{\ell}$, $h\to π^+ (K^+)\ell^-\barν_\ell$, and $h\to ρ^+(K^{*+})\ell^-\barν_\ell$, have been explored in the standard model. Decay amplitudes are dominantly from the Higgs couplings to gauge bosons and to charged leptons, and their branching ratios are predicted in the range of $10^{-8}\sim 10^{-5}$. We have also analyzed the differential dilepton invariant mass and angular distributions of $h\to ρ^0 \ell^+\ell^-$ decays. It will be challenging to search for these rare proc…
We investigate the rare decays $B_c \rightarrow D_s(1968) \ell \bar{\ell}$ and $B_c\rightarrow D_s^*(2317) \ell \bar{\ell}$ in the framework of the light-cone quark model (LCQM). The transition form factors are calculated in the space-like region and then analytically continued to the time-like region via exponential parametrization. The branching ratios and longitudinal lepton polarization asymmetries (LPAs) for the two decays are given and compared with each other. The results are helpful to investigating the structure of $B_c$ meson and to testing the unitarity of CKM quark mixing matrix. A…
We have previously proposed a light pseudoscalar Higgs boson in the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM), the A_1^0, as a candidate to explain the HyperCP observations in Sigma^+ -> p mu^+ mu^-. In this paper we calculate the rates for several other rare decay modes that can help confirm or refute this hypothesis. The first modes we evaluate are K_L -> pi pi A_1^0, which are interesting because they are under study by the KTeV Collaboration. We next turn to eta -> pi pi A_1^0, which are interesting because they are independent of the details of the flavor-changing sector of th…
We investigate the bounds on the mass of the lightest neutralino from rare meson decays within the MSSM with and without minimal flavor violation. We present explicit formulae for the two-body decays of mesons into light neutralinos and perform the first complete calculation of the loop-induced decays of kaons to pions and light neutralinos and B mesons to kaons and light neutralinos. We find that the supersymmetric branching ratios are strongly suppressed within the MSSM with minimal flavor violation, and that no bounds on the neutralino mass can be inferred from experimental data, i.e. a mas…
The measurements of rare leptonic and semi-leptonic B decays performed at the LHC, not showing any significant deviations from the Standard Model expectations, put strong constraints on new physics. A brief account of the impact of recent measurements is given. As a concrete example, models with partial compositeness are discussed, where tree-level flavour-changing Z couplings lead to potentially visibile effects in rare B (and K) decays that will be scrutinized experimentally in the near future.
Abundance of charm data in the current and future low energy flavor experiments makes it possible to study rare decays of D-mesons with ever increased precision. I discuss theoretical implications of derived constraints on New Physics models from these transitions. I argue that those constraints could be competitive with results of direct searches for New Physics particles (including Dark Matter) at the Large Hadron Collider.
We study the production of a light gauge boson in $K^- \to π^- X$ decay, where the associated new charge current is not conserved. It is found that the process can be generated by the tree-level $W$-boson annihilation and loop-induced $s\to dX$. We find that it strongly depends on the $SU(3)$ limit or the unique gauge coupling to the quarks, whether the decay amplitude of $K^-\to π^- X$ in the $W$-boson annihilation is suppressed by $m^2_X ε_X \cdot p_K$; however, no such suppression is found via the loop-induced $s\to d X$. The constraints on the relevant couplings are studied.
Recent improved measurements of B decays probing the b->s flavour-changing neutral current have put strong constraints on flavour violation beyond the Standard Model. This talk reviews a model-independent analysis of these decays, which allows to put constraints on dimension-six Delta(F)=1 effective operators. These constraints can be used in turn to test the flavour structure of any theory beyond the SM.
New light pseudoscalars, such as axion-like particles, appear in many well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model and provide an exciting target for present and future experiments. We study the experimental sensitivity for such particles by revising the CHARM exclusion contour, updating bounds from LHCb and presenting prospects for NA62 and SHiP. We first consider a simplified model of a light pseudoscalar $A$ and then propose a model-independent approach applicable to any spin-0 boson light enough to be produced in B-meson decays. As illustration, we provide upper bounds on $\text{BR}(B \…
Various new physics models predict a light CP-odd Higgs boson (labeled as $a$) and open up new decay modes for Z-boson, such as $Z \to \bar{f} f a$, $Z\to aγ$ and $Z\to aaa$, which could be explored at the GigaZ option of the ILC. In this work we investigate these rare decays in several new physics models, namely the type-II two Higgs doublet model (type-II 2HDM), the lepton-specific two Higgs doublet model (L2HDM), the nearly minimal supersymetric standard model (nMSSM) and the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM). We find that in the parameter space allowed by current experi…
Using the light cone QCD Sum Rules Method, we study the rare B -> nu barnu gamma decay and and find that the branching ratios are, B(B_s -> nu barnu gamma) = 7.5 10^{-8}, B(B_d -> nu -> nu gamma) = 4.2 10^{-9}. A comparision of our results, on branching ratio, with constituent quark and pole dominance model predictions are presented.
Motivated by the recent experimental data at HERA and ZEUS, which have reported evidence for leptoqark production at Sqrt{s}=314 GeV with a mass at M_D=200 GeV we consider its implications in unified supersymmetric theories. We also present calculations for leptoquark production incorporating the existing limits from other exotic reactions on its couplings and other relevant parameters.
We discuss the constraints from rare B and K decays on the Electroweak Symmetry Breaking (EWSB) sector, as well as on theories of fermion masses. We focus on models involving new strong dynamics and show that transitions involving Flavor Changing Neutral Currents (FCNC) play an important role in disentangling the physics in these scenarios. In a model-independent approach to the EWSB sector, the information from rare decays is complementary to precision electroweak observables in bounding the contributions to the effective lagrangian. We compare the pattern of deviations from the standard mode…
We constrain the light CP-odd Higgs $A_{1}^{0}$ in NMSSM via the rare decay $π^{0}\to e^{+}e^{-}$. It is shown that the possible $3σ$ discrepancy between theoretical predictions and the recent KTeV measurement of ${\cal B}(π^{0}\to e^+ e^-)$ cannot be resolved when the constraints from $Υ\toγA_1^0$, $a_μ$ and $π^{0}\to γγ$ are combined. Furthermore, the combined constraints also exclude the scenario involving $m_{A_1^0}=214.3$ MeV, which is invoked to explain the anomaly in the $Σ^{+}\to p μ^{+}μ^{-}$ decay found by the HyperCP Collaboration.
The impact of rare lepton decays ($μ\to e γ$, $τ\to μγ$, >...) and rare $B$ and $K$ decays ($B\to \ell^+\ell^-$, $B\to \ellν$, $K\to πνν$, $K\to\ellν$, ...) in probing the existence of an underlying flavour symmetry is reviewd. Particualar emphasis is deveoted to the connections between quark and lepton flavour strucutres, in the context of generic effective field theory approach to physics beyond the SM.
The decay width, forward-backward asymmetry and lepton longitudinal and transversal polarization for the exclusive K^* -> l^+ l^- decay in a two Higgs doublet model are computed. It is shown that all these quantities are very effective tools for establishing new physics.
We present a systematic light-cone QCD sum rule study of the exclusive rare radiative decay $Λ_b\rightarrowΛγ$ and rare semileptonic decay $Λ_b\rightarrowΛl^+l^-$ within the framework of the standard model. Although some LCSR studies on these rare processes can be found in different literatures, it is necessary to reanalyze them systematically for the reason that either the baryonic distribution amplitudes are improved or different interpolating currents for the $Λ_b$ baryon may lead to quite different results. In addition, the rare process $Λ_b\rightarrowΛγ$ has not yet been analyzed by LCSR …
Two photon processes are a wonderful by-product of an $e^+e^-$ collider at any energy. Two photon reactions probe the very structure of matter. A machine operating below 2 GeV has the potential to reveal the Higgs sector of the strong interaction -- the scalars with vacuum quantum numbers that reflect dynamical mass generation from the breakdown of chiral symmetry. One of the many $e^+e^-$ machines around the globe must have a dedicated $γγ$ facility.
In the framework of a QCD relativistic potential model we evaluate the form factors describing the exclusive decays B => πl nu and B => K l+ l-. The present calculation extends a previous analysis of B meson decays into light vector mesons. We find results in agreement with the data, when available, and with the theoretical constraints imposed by the Callan-Treiman relation and the infinite heavy quark mass limit.
The Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model contains in general sources of tau lepton flavour violation which induce the rare decays tau --> mu gamma and tau --> e gamma. We argue in this paper that the observation of both rare processes would imply a lower bound on the radiative muon decay of the form BR(mu --> e gamma) > C BR(tau --> mu gamma) BR(tau --> e gamma). We estimate the size of the constant C without specifying the origin of the tau flavour violation in the supersymmetric model and we discuss the implications of our bound for future searches of rare lepton decays. In particular, we s…
We established the allowed parameters of two-Higgs doublet model(2HDM) from flavor physics observables, precisely from rare $B$ meson decays. In our analysis most formidable constraints on the 2HDM parameters arise from the branching ratio of rare radiative $B$ meson decay i.e., $B\to X_{s}γ$. However, the constraints arising from the branching ratio of $B_{s}\toμ^{+}μ^{-}$ decay in $m_{H^{\pm}}-\tanβ$ plane give $m_{H^{\pm}} >$ 80 GeV for the value of $\tanβ\sim 2$, that is in agreement with large electron-positron collider (LEP) data. Furthermore, we also investigate the bounds on the $CP$-e…
Results are presented for the two-body decays of mesons into light neutralinos and from the first complete calculation of the loop-induced decays of kaons to pions plus light neutralinos and of B mesons to kaons plus light neutralinos. The branching ratios are shown to be strongly suppressed within the MSSM with minimal flavor violation, and no bounds on the neutralino mass can be inferred from experimental data, i.e. a massless neutralino is allowed.
We investigate the transition formfactors for the B -> K^* l^+ l^- (l = mu, tau) decay in the light cone QCD. It is found that the light cone and 3-point QCD sum rules analyses for some of the formfactors for the decay B -> K^* l^+ l^- lead to absolutely different $q^2$ dependence. The invariant dilepton mass distributions for the B -> K^* mu^+ mu^- and B -> K^* tau^+ tau^- decays and final lepton longitudinal polarization asymmetry, which includes both short and long-distance contributions, are also calculated.
It is now a firmly established fact that all family lepton numbers are violated in Nature. In this paper we discuss the implications of this observation for future searches for rare tau decays in the supersymmetric see-saw model. Using the two loop renormalization group evolution of the soft terms and the Yukawa couplings we show that there exists a lower bound on the rate of the rare process mu --> e gamma of the form BR(mu --> e gamma) > C BR(tau --> mu gamma) BR(tau --> e gamma), where C is a constant that depends on supersymmetric parameters. Our only assumption is the absence of cancellat…
Rare decays $Λ_b \to Λγ$ and $Λ_b \to Λl^{+} l^{-}$ (l= e, $μ$) are examined. We use QCD sum rules to calculate the hadronic matrix elements governing the decays. The $Λ$ polarization in the decays is analyzed and it is shown that the polarization parameter in $Λ_b \to Λγ$ does not depends on the values of hadronic form factors. And the energy spectrum of $Λ$ in $Λ_b \to Λl^{+} l^{-}$ is given.
We perform a model independent analysis so as to constrain the leptoquark (LQ) models from negative searches for $μ\to e γ$, $μ\to 3e$ decays (and analogous processes in the $τ$ sector), and coherent $μ-e$ conversion in nuclei. We considerably improve some constraints obtained by analyses known in the literature, analyses which we show have by far underestimated the LQ contributions to the $μ\to 3e$. In particular we find that the coherent $μ-e$ conversion in nuclei mediated by the photon--conversion mechanism and the $μ\to 3e$ decay are golden plates where the flavor changing leptoquark coupl…
We calculate the Standard Model (SM) predictions for the differential branching ratio of the rare $B_s \to ϕμ^+ μ^-$ decays using $B_s \to ϕ$ transition form factors (TFFs) obtained using holographic light-front QCD (hQCD) instead of the traditional QCD sum rules (QCDSR) . Our predictions for the differential branching ratio is in better agreement with the LHCb data. Also, we find that the hQCD prediction for $R_{K^*ϕ}$, the ratio of the branching fraction of $B \to K^* μ^+ μ^-$ to that of $B_s \to ϕμ^+ μ^-$ , is in excellent agreement with both the LHCb and CDF results in low $q^2$ range.
We investigate the phenomenology of light GeV-scale fermionic dark matter in $U(1)_{L_μ- L_τ}$ gauge extension of the Standard Model. Heavy neutral fermions alongside with a $S_1(\overline{3}$,$1$,$1/3$) scalar leptoquark and an inert scalar doublet are added to address the flavor anomalies and light neutrino mass respectively. The light gauge boson associated with $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$ gauge group mediates dark to visible sector and helps to obtain the correct relic density. Aided with a colored scalar, we constrain the new model parameters by using the branching ratios of various $b \to sll$ and …
Within the Standard Model, we investigate the weak decays of $Λ_b \to Λ+ γ$ and $Λ_b \to Λ+ l^{+} l^{-}$ with the light-cone sum rules approach. The higher twist distribution amplitudes of $Λ$ baryon to the leading conformal spin are included in the sum rules for transition form factors. Our results indicate that the higher twist distribution amplitudes almost have no influences on the transition form factors retaining the heavy quark spin symmetry, while such corrections can result in significant impacts on the form factors breaking the heavy quark spin symmetry. Two phenomenological models (…
Form factors of the rare $Λ_{b}(Λ_{b}^*)\to N\ell^{+}\ell^{-}$ decays are calculated in the framework of the light cone QCD sum rules by taking into account of the contributions from the negative parity baryons. Using the obtained results on the form factors, the branching ratios of the considered decays are estimated. The numerical survey for the branching ratios of the $Λ_b \rar N\ell^+\ell^- $ and $Λ_b^\ast \rar N\ell^+\ell^- $ decays indicate that these transitions could be measurable in LHCb in near future. Comparison of our predictions on the form factors and branching ratios with those …
It is shown that the rare decays $Z \to ν\bar{nu} γ$ and $Z \to ν\barν γγ$ are useful to put model-independent bounds on neutrino-one-photon and neutrino-two-photon interactions. The results are then used to constrain the $τ$ neutrino magnetic moment and the double radiative decay $ν_j \to ν_i γγ$. It is found that the decay $Z \to ν\bar{nu} γ$ gives a more stringent bound on the $τ$ neutrino magnetic moment than that obtained from $Z \to ν\barν γγ$; the latter decay in turn gives limits on the neutrino-two-photon interaction that are less stringent than those obtained for a sterile neutrino $…
We study the exclusive semileptonic rare $B_c^+ \to D^+ ν\barν$ decay in the framework of light-cone quark model. The transition form factors $f_{+}(q^2)$ and $f_{T}(q^2)$ are evaluated in the time-like region using the analytic continuation method in $q^{+} = 0$ frame. The analytic solutions of these form factors are compared with the results obtained from the double pole parametric form. The branching ratio for $B_c^+ \to D^+ ν\barν$ decay is calculated and compared with the other theoretical model predictions. The predicted results in this model can be tested at the LHCb experiments in near…
Motivated by recent experimental results on charm physics we investigate implications of the updated constraints of new physics in rare charm meson decays. We first reconsider effects of the MSSM in $c\to u γ$ constrained by the recent experimental evidence on $Δm_D$ and find, that due to the dominance of long distance physics, $D \to V γ$ decay rates cannot be modified by MSSM contributions. Then we consider effects of the extra heavy up vector-like quark models on the decay spectrum of $D^+ \to π^+ l^+ l^-$ and $D_s^+ \to K^+ l^+ l^-$ decays. We find a possibility for the tiny increase of th…
Indirect searches, and in particular rare decays, have proven to be a fruitful field to search for New Physics beyond the Standard Model. While the down-quark sector (B and K) have been studied in detail, less attention was devoted to charm decays due to the smaller expected values and higher theoretical uncertainties of their observables. Recently a renewed interest is growing in rare charm searches. In this article we review the current experimental status of searches for rare decays in charmed hadrons. While the Standard Model rates are yet to be reached, current experimental limits are alr…
The simplest little Higgs model predicts a light pseudoscalar boson $η$ and opens up some new decay modes for $Z$-boson, such as $Z \to \bar{f} f η$, $Z\to ηηη$, $Z\to ηγ$ and $Z\to ηgg$. We examine these decay modes in the parameter space allowed by current experiments, and find that the branching ratios can reach $10^{-7}$ for $Z\to \bar{b}bη$, $10^{-8}$ for $Z\to \barττη$, and $10^{-8}$ for $Z\to ηγ$, which should be accessible at the GigaZ option of the ILC. However, the branching ratios can reach $10^{-12}$ for $Z\to ηηη$, and $10^{-11}$ for $Z\to ηgg$, which are hardly accessible at the …
Anomalous couplings of the $Z$ boson to top quarks are only marginally constrained by direct searches and are still sensitive to new particle dynamics at the TeV scale. Employing an effective field theory approach we consider the dimension-six operators which generate deviations from the standard-model vector and axial-vector interactions. We show that rare $B$ and $K$ meson decays together with electroweak precision observables provide strong constraints on these couplings. We also consider constraints from t-channel single-top production.
Light-front wavefunctions obtained from holographic light-front QCD are used to obtain the distributions amplitudes for $K^*$ vector meson. Consequently, alternate predictions for rare B transitions to $K^*$ form factors are presented. In this talk, I compare our results for some rare B decay channels to those obtained from QCD sum rules and available experimental data.
We study the light-front zero-mode contribution to the tensor form factors $T_i(i=1,2,3)$ for the exclusive rare $P\to V\ell^+\ell^-$ decays using a covariant fermion field theory model in $(3+1)$ dimensions. While the zero-mode contribution in principle depends on the form of the vector meson vertex $Γ^μ=γ^μ- (2k-P_V)^μ/D$, the three tensor form factors $T_i(i=1,2,3)$ are found to be free from the zero mode if the denominator $D$ contains the term proportional to the light-front energy or the longitudinal momentum fraction factor $(1/x)^n$ of the struck quark with the power $n>0$. Since the d…
Hadronic matrix elements of the vector, axial-vector and tensor currents relevant for exclusive rare decays $B\to(π,ρ,K,K^*)\,l^+l^-$ induced by the quark transition $b\to d,s$ are analysed using dispersion formulation of the light-cone constituent quark model. The form factors in the decay region are expressed as relativistic double spectral representations through the light-cone wave functions of the initial and final mesons. These form factors are shown to have the correct scaling properties in the limit of heavy-to-heavy and heavy-to-light quark transitions in accordance with QCD. The depe…
The muon g-2 discrepancy between theory and experiment may be explained by a light vector boson Z_d that couples to the electromagnetic current via kinetic mixing with the photon. We illustrate how the existing electron g-2, pion Dalitz decay, and other direct production data disfavor that explanation if the Z_d mainly decays into e+e-, mu+mu-. Implications of a dominant invisible Z_d decay channel, such as light dark matter, along with the resulting strong bounds from the rare K -> pi + 'missing energy' decay are examined. The K decay constraints may be relaxed if destructive interference eff…
We study constraints on the CP violating phase $γ$ in the Kobayashi-Maskawa model using available experimental data. We first follow the conventional method to up date the constraint on $γ$ by performing a $χ^2$ analysis using data from $|ε_K|$, $Δm_{B_{d,s}}$ and $|V_{ub}/V_{cb}|$. We also include the recent information on $\sin2β$ in the analysis. We obtain the best fit for $γ$ to be $66^\circ$ and the 95% C.L. allowed range to be $42^\circ \sim 87^\circ$. We then develop a method to carry out a $χ^2$ analysis based on SU(3) symmetry using data from $B\to ππ$ and $B\to K π$. We also discuss …
We investigate the $ε^{\prime} /ε$ for $K\to ππ$ in a sequential fourth generation model. By giving the basic formulae for $ε^{\prime}/ε$ in this model, we analyze the numerical results which are dependent of $m_{t^{\prime}}$ and imaginary part of the fourth CKM factor, ${Im}V^{*}_{t^{'}s}V_{t^{'}d}$ (or $V^{*}_{t^{'}s}V_{t^{'}d}$ and the fourth generation CKM matrix phase $θ$). We find that, unlike the SM, when taking the central values of all parameters for $ε^{\prime}/ε$, the values of $ε^{\prime}/ ε$ can easily fit to the current experimental data for all values of hadronic matrix elements…
New physics effects in $B$ decays are routinely modeled through operators invariant under the strong and electromagnetic gauge symmetries. Assuming the scale for new physics is well above the electro-weak scale, we further require invariance under the full Standard-Model gauge symmetry group. Retaining up to dimension-6 operators, we unveil new constraints between different new-physics operators that are assumed to be independent in the standard phenomenological analyses. We illustrate this approach by analyzing the constraints on new physics from rare $B_{q}$ (semi-)leptonic decays.
Rare decays of the B-meson that arise due to loop-mediated FCNC transitions are known to provide important constraints on beyond-SM theories. Basic properties of several such decays are reviewed here.
A model with $L_μ -L_τ$ gauge symmetry is the least constrained model as a resolution to the disagreement of the muon anomalous magnetic moment between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results. In this paper, we discuss how well the $L_μ - L_τ$ model can be constrained by looking for decays of the charged kaon associated with a $L_μ-L_τ$ gauge boson. More concretely, we consider searches for single muon tracks from the decays of stopped charged kaon as in the E949 experiment. In our conservative estimation, we find that the favored parameter region for the muon anomalous magnet…
We evaluate the LHC's potential of observing Higgs boson decays into light elementary or composite resonances through their hadronic decay channels. We focus on the Higgs boson production processes with the largest cross sections, $pp\to h$ and $pp\to h+\mathrm{jet}$, with subsequent decays $h \to ZA$ or $h\to Z\,η_c$, and comment on the production process $pp\to hZ$. By exploiting track-based jet substructure observables and extrapolating to $3000~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ we find ${\cal BR}(h \to ZA) \simeq {\cal BR}(h \to Z η_c) \lesssim 0.02$ at 95% CL. We interpret this limit in terms of the 2HDM…
