We study constraints on the models of bosonic super-weakly interacting particle (super-WIMP) dark matter (DM) with DM masses $m_X \sim \mathcal{O}(1 - 100)$ keV from leptonic decays $M\rightarrow \ell \barν_\ell + X$, where $M=B^\pm, D^\pm, D_s^\pm$ is a heavy meson state. We focus on two cases where $X$ denotes either a light pseudoscalar (axion-like), or a light vector state that couples to the standard model (SM) through kinetic mixing. We note that for a small DM mass these decays are separately sensitive to DM couplings to quarks, but not its mass.
This work presents indirect searches for dark matter (DM) as WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) using neutrino data recorded by the Super-Kamiokande detector from 1996 to 2014. The results of the search for WIMP-induced neutrinos from the Sun and the Milky Way are discussed. We looked for an excess of neutrinos from the Sun/Milky Way direction compared to the expected atmospheric neutrino background. Event samples including both electron and muon neutrinos covering a wide range of neutrino energies (GeV to TeV) were used, with sensitivity to WIMP masses down to tens of GeV. Various W…
In the present work we examine the possibility of detecting light dark matter particles (WIMP) utilizing their possible interactions with the electrons. Employing reasonable theoretical models we evaluate the expected event rates in the following cases: i) For WIMPs in the meV region treating electrons as free and utilizing calorimetric detectors at low temperatures. ii) Detecting recoiling electrons with energy in the eV region ejected out of an atom in the case of WIMPs with a mass more than an order of magnitude heavier than the electron. iii) By observing atomic excitations in the range of…
A low pressure time projection chamber for the detection of WIMPs is discussed. Discrimination against Compton electron background in such a device should be very good, and directional information about the recoil atoms would be obtainable. If a full 3-D reconstruction of the recoil tracks can be achieved, Monte Carlo studies indicate that a WIMP signal could be identified with high confidence from as few as 30 detected WIMP-nucleus scattering events.
Channeling of recoil ions in various crystals strongly depends on their direction. This, along with the WIMP wind due to the rotation of the galactic disc generates {\it daily} modulations of the channeling. Since channeling affect the characteristics of the WIMP induced recoil events these modulations may be observed in single crystal detectors and serve as a WIMP signature. We suggest in particular searching for such modulations in the DAMA scintillation data.
We discuss the extent to which models of Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) Dark Matter (DM) at and above the electroweak scale can be probed conclusively in future high energy and astroparticle physics experiments. We consider simplified models with bino-like dark matter and slepton-like coannihilation partners, and find that perturbative models yield the observed relic abundance up to at least 10 TeV. We emphasise that coannihilation can either increase or decrease the dark matter relic abundance. We compute the sensitivity of direct detection experiments to DM-nucleus scattering, co…
Leptonic decays of vector-states of bottomonium are analized searching for a light pseudoscalar Higgs-like neutral boson manifesting via an apparent breaking of lepton universality.
New Physics can show up in various well-known processes already studied in the Standard Model, in particular by modifying decay rates to some extent. In this work, I examine leptonic decays of $Υ$ vector resonances of bottomonium below $B\bar{B}$ production, subsequent to a magnetic dipole radiative structural transition of the vector resonance yielding a pseudoscalar continuum state, searching for the existence of a light Higgs-like neutral boson that would imply a slight but experimentally measurable breaking of lepton universality.
In the present work we examine the implications on dark matter searches of the possibility of a partial decay of a neutron into a dark matter particle, slightly lighter than itself. Such a scenario recently proposed is required to bridge the discrepancy between the results of two different experiments measuring the life time of the neutron. It was subsequently suggested that this light dark matter candidate could make up the whole of dark matter in the universe. We thus first compute the nucleon cross section based on such models. Then we proceed explore the various signatures appearing in dar…
We present allowed regions in the space of observables of certain non-leptonic B-meson decays that characterize these modes within the Standard Model. A future measurement of observables lying significantly outside of these regions would indicate the presence of new physics. Making use of SU(3) arguments, we give the range for $B\toπK$ decays, and for the system of $B_d\toπ^+π^-$, $B_s\to K^+K^-$ modes.
We present here a study of the impact of a heavy neutrino (or heavy neutral lepton) on leptonic and semileptonic kaon decays. We used a simplified model consisting of 3 light neutrinos responsible for neutrino oscillations and a heavy sterile neutrino. We found that it can lead to large deviations from the Standard Model predictions for leptonic decays, in conflict with experimental measurements of $K_{e2}$ and the lepton universality test $R_K$. This allows to derive new constraints on the leptonic mixing for heavy sterile neutrinos. No tension was found when considering the semileptonic deca…
We propose two different and complementary observables for singling out possible signals of physics beyond the standard model in the semi-leptonic decays $Λ_b \to Λ_c \ell{\bar ν}_{\ell}$, both with the $τ$ lepton and with a light lepton. The two observables are the partial decay width and a T-odd asymmetry, whose respective sensitivities to scalar and/or pseudo-scalar coupling are calculated as functions of the parameters characterizing new physics. Two different form factors are used. Three particular cases are discussed and analyzed in detail.
Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are among the favored candidates for cold dark matter in the universe. The phenomenology of supersymmetric WIMPs has been quite developed during recent years. However, there are other possibilities which have not been discussed as much. One example is a right-handed massive neutrino, which has recently been proposed in the context of a version of the Zee model for massive neutrinos. This TeV-scale, leptonic WIMP (or LIMP, for short) may at first sight appear to be essentially undetectable. However, we point out that the radiatively induced annihilat…
The annual modulation of the recoil spectrum observed in an underground detector is well known as the main signature of a possible WIMP signal. The GENIUS-TF experiment, under construction in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, can search for the annual modulation of the Dark Matter signal using 40 kg of naked-Ge detectors in liquid nitrogen. Starting from a set of data simulated under the hypothesis of modulation and using different methods, we show the potential of GENIUS-TF for extracting the modulated signal and the expected WIMP mass and WIMP cross section.
We explore paleo-detectors as an approach to the direct detection of Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) dark matter radically different from conventional detectors. Instead of instrumenting a (large) target mass in a laboratory in order to observe WIMP-induced nuclear recoils in real time, the approach is to examine ancient minerals for traces of WIMP-nucleus interactions recorded over timescales as large as 1 Gyr. Here, we discuss the paleo-detector proposal in detail, including background sources and possible target materials. In order to suppress backgrounds induced by radioactive c…
Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are a viable candidate for the relic abundance of dark matter (DM) produced in the early universe. So far WIMPs have eluded direct detection through interactions with baryonic matter. Neutrino emission from accumulated WIMP annihilations in the solar core has been proposed as a signature of DM, but has not yet been detected. These null results may be due to small scale DM density fluctuations in the halo with the density of our local region being lower than the average (around 0.3 GeV/cm^3 ). However, the accumulated neutrino signal from WIMP annihi…
DAMA is searching for rare processes by developing and using several kinds of radiopure scintillators: in particular, NaI(Tl), liquid Xenon and CaF$_2$(Eu). The main results are here summarized with particular attention to the investigation of the WIMP annual modulation signature.
We constrain mass, lifetime and contribution of a very slowly decaying Ultra Heavy Dark Matter (UHDM) by simulating the cosmological evolution of its remnants. Most of interactions which participate in energy dissipation are included in the numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation. Cross-sections are calculated either analytically or by using PYTHIA Monte Carlo program. This paper describes in detail our simulation. To show the importance of the distribution of matter in constraining WIMPZILLA characteristics, we consider two extreme cases: a homogeneous universe, and a local halo with uni…
Motivated by the observed excess of the di-photon signal in Higgs searches, $σ_{γγ}/σ_{\rm SM}\simeq 1.5$, we argue that models with enhanced $Γ(h\to γγ)$ alone are the most favorable scenarios when the latest LHC/Tevatron results are all taken into account. We study the phenomenology of a supersymmetric scenario of light stau first proposed by \textit{Carena et. al. \cite{carlos}} that predicts a 125 GeV SM-like Higgs boson with enhanced diphoton decay through light stau loops. Since it is extremely challenging to search the Drell-Yan stau pair at the LHC due to the small production rate, we …
Searches for dark matter (DM) constituents are presently mainly focused on axions and WIMPs despite the fact that far higher mass constituents are viable. We discuss and dispute whether axions exist and those arguments for WIMPs which arise from electroweak supersymmetry. We focus on the highest possible masses and argue that, since if they constitute all DM they cannot be baryonic, they must uniquely be primordial black holes. Observational constraints require them to be of intermediate masses mostly between a hundred and a hundred thousand solar masses. Known search strategies include wide b…
Over the last years, new physics in terms of a novel weakly-interacting massive particle (WIMP) has come more and more under pressure from experimental null results. While the remaining WIMP parameter space will be probed by next generation dark matter experiments, models of light new physics have become increasingly popular over the last decade. In an effort to explore the parameter space of such light physics, a myriad of custom designed high-precision/low-energy experiments has been proposed. In this note, however, I argue that existing LHC multipurpose experiments like ATALS and CMS have a…
High energy colliders provide a new unique way to determine the microscopic properties of the dark matter (DM). Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are widely considered as one of the best DM candidates. It is usually assumed that the WIMP couples to the SM sector through its interactions with quarks and leptons. In this paper, we investigate the DM pair production associated with a $Z$ boson in an effective field theory framework at the International Linear Collider (ILC), which can be used to study the interactions between the DM and leptons. For illustrative purposes, we present th…
One of the most interesting mysteries of astrophysics is the puzzle of dark matter. Although numerous techniques have been explored and developed to detect this elusive substance, its nature remains unknown. One such method uses large high-energy neutrino telescopes to look for the annihilation products of dark matter annihilations. In this summary article, we briefly review this technique. We describe the calculations used to find the rate of capture of WIMPs in the Sun or Earth and the spectrum of neutrinos produced in the resulting dark matter annihilations. We will discuss these calculatio…
The LHC discovery of a light Higgs particle $h^0$ (125GeV) opens up new prospect for searching heavier Higgs boson(s) at the LHC Run-2, which will unambiguously point to new physics beyond the standard model (SM). We study the detection of a heavier neutral Higgs boson $H^0$ via di-Higgs production channel at the LHC (14TeV), $H^0 \to h^0h^0 \to WW^*γγ$. This directly probes the $Hhh$ cubic Higgs interaction, which exists in most extensions of the SM Higgs sector. For the decay products of final states $WW^*$, we include both pure leptonic mode $WW^* \to \ell\barν\bar{\ell}ν$ and semi-leptonic…
Particularly interesting processes to test the Standard Model are non-leptonic $B^0_s \rightarrow D_s^{\pm} K^{\mp}$ transitions. As these decays occur via pure tree diagrams, they allow a theoretically clean determination of the angle $γ$ of the unitarity triangle. Considering recent LHCb results, an intriguing picture arises, showing tension with the Standard Model. Utilising the available experimental data, we perform a theoretical analysis in order to shed more light on these puzzling patterns. Do these puzzles actually indicate footprints of New Physics?
Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) form a promising solution to the dark matter problem and many experiments are now searching for these particles. Using effective field theories to describe the interaction of the WIMP with the Standard Model has proven successful in providing an easy way to compare the different experimental results. In this work, we show how effective operators can be formally derived from a UV-complete underlying theory, and we analyse these operators in different experimental contexts. We put our main focus on the expected sensitivity of the International Linear …
Some selected topics involving photonic and leptonic rare B decays are reviewed. The interest in their measurement for the CKM phenomenology is underlined. They are also potentially interesting in searching for physics beyond the standard model. This is illustrated on the examples of the decays $B \to (K,K^*) \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to (ρ, ω) γ$ by contrasting their anticipated phenomenological profiles in the standard model and some variants of supersymmetric models.
If the neutral component of weak-scale dark matter is accompanied by a charged excitation separated by a mass gap of less than ~20 MeV, WIMPs can form stable bound states with nuclei. We show that the recent progress in experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay sets the first direct constraint on the exoergic reaction of WIMP-nucleus bound state formation. We calculate the rate for such process in representative models and show that the double-beta decay experiments provide unique sensitivity to a large fraction of parameter space of the WIMP doublet model, complementary to cons…
Despite the compelling amount of evidence for the existence of dark matter, its exact nature is still one of the main open questions in modern physics. A great experimental effort has been performed to probe one of the most popular dark matter candidates, the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle or WIMP, however, there has not been any conclusive detection yet. Hence, these searches place strong constraints on the WIMP paradigm. The community has therefore started to consider alternatives who are able to evade the strong experimental constraints. Such a candidate that has gained a lot of attent…
The leptonic mixing angle theta_13 is currently a high-priority topic in the field of neutrino physics, with five experiments under way, searching for neutrino oscillations induced by this angle. We review the phenomenology of theta_13 and discuss the information from present global oscillation data. A description of the upcoming reactor and accelerator experiments searching for a non-zero value of theta_13 is given, and we evaluate the sensitivity reach within the next few years.
Direct detection experiments searching for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter typically use a simplified model of the Galactic halo to derive parameter constraints. However, there is strong evidence that this Standard Halo Model is not a good approximation to our Galaxy. We discuss previous attempts to extract the WIMP mass, cross-section and speed distribution from direct detection data and show that these lead to significant biases in the reconstructed parameter values. We develop and test an alternative model-independent method based on parametrising the momentum distrib…
A class of previously unknown strong-interaction corrections is found to enhance the rate of non-leptonic decays of the b quark by 5-8 percent. This effect decreases the predicted fraction of semi-leptonic decays and brings it into fair agreement with experimental results. As well as solving a long-standing puzzle of measurements disagreeing with the Standard Model prediction, our work suggests a way for future precise studies of non-leptonic $b$ quark decays and their application to searching for "new physics."
We study some possible experimental consequences of new physics on the spectrum and decays of bottomonium states below $B\bar{B}$ threshold. In addition to lepton universality breaking in Upsilon decays, large widths of pseudoscalar $η_b$ resonances and mixing with a non-standard CP-odd light Higgs boson might smooth and shift the signal peak from hindered radiative M1 transitions between $Υ$ and $η_b$ states in the photon energy spectrum, as searched by CLEO. We also stress the relevance of forthcoming results from CLEO on leptonic branching fractions of $Υ$ resonances to definitely check our…
The study of the purely leptonic decays of the ground charged vector mesons is very interesting and significant in determining the CKM matrix elements, obtaining the decay constant of vector mesons, examining the lepton flavor universality, and searching for new physics beyond the standard model. These purely leptonic decays of the ground charged vector mesons are induced by the weak interactions within the standard model, and usually have very small branching ratios, ${\cal B}(ρ^{-}{\to}{\ell}^{-}ν_{\ell})$ ${\sim}$ ${\cal O}(10^{-13})$, ${\cal B}(K^{{\ast}-}{\to}{\ell}^{-}ν_{\ell})$ ${\sim}$…
In a recent manuscript (arXiv:1208.5046) Peter Sorensen claims that XENON100's upper limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross sections for WIMP masses below 10 GeV "may be understated by one order of magnitude or more". Having performed a similar, though more detailed analysis prior to the submission of our new result (arXiv:1207.5988), we do not confirm these findings. We point out the rationale for not considering the described effect in our final analysis and list several potential problems with his study.
Dark Matter experiments searching for Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) primarily use nuclear recoils (NRs) in their attempt to detect WIMPs. Migdal-induced electronic recoils (ERs) provide additional sensitivity to light Dark Matter with $\mathcal{O}(\text{GeV}/c^2)$ masses. In this work, we use Bayesian inference to find the parameter space where future detectors like XENONnT and SuperCDMS SNOLAB will be able to detect WIMP Dark Matter through NRs, Migdal-induced ERs or a combination thereof. We identify regions where each detector is best at constraining the Dark Matter mass and …
This work deals with right handed sneutrino as thermal cold dark matter candidate. This scalar emerges in a supersymmetric version of $SU(3)_c \otimes SU(3)_L \otimes U(1)_X$ gauge model where right handed neutrinos are a natural component of leptonic chiral scalar supermultiplets. We first consider the issue of a $125$~GeV Higgs boson mass in this model, showing that constraints on stop mass and trilinear soft coupling are considerably alleviated compared to MSSM. Then we investigate the region of parameter space that is consistent with right handed sneutrino as thermal cold dark matter, unde…
We examine the projected ability to reconstruct the mass, scattering, and annihilation cross section of dark matter in the new generation of large underground detectors, XENON-1T, SuperCDMS, and DarkSide-G2, in combination with diffuse gamma radiation from expected 15 years of data from Fermi-LAT observation of 46 local spiral dwarf galaxies and projected CTA sensitivity to a signal from the Galactic Center. To this end we consider several benchmark points spanning a wide range of WIMP mass, different annihilation final states, and large enough event rates to warrant detection in one or more e…
We discuss the feasibility of the observation of the signal from $B_c$ mesons in the ATLAS experiment of the LHC collider at a luminosity of ${\approx}\ 10^{33}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$. In particular we address the decay mode $B_c{\rightarrow}J/ψπ$ followed by the leptonic decay $J/ψ{\rightarrow}μ^+μ^-$, which should permit an accurate measurement of the $B_c$ mass. We performed a Monte Carlo study of the signal and background concluding that a precision of $40$ MeV for the $B_c$ mass could be achieved after one year of running.
The annihilation of Weakly Interactive Massive Particles (WIMP) in the centre of the sun could give rise to neutrino fluxes. We study the prospects of searching for these neutrinos at the upcoming Iron CALorimeter (ICAL) detector to be housed at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO). We perform ICAL simulations to obtain the detector efficiencies and resolutions in order to simulate muon events in ICAL due to neutrinos coming from annihilation of WIMP in the mass range $m_χ= (3-100)$ GeV. The atmospheric neutrinos pose a major background for these indirect detection studies and can be red…
We investigate the potential of LHC resonance searches in leptonic final states to probe the $Z'$ in the minimal $U(1)_{B-L}$ model. Considering the current constraints on the $Z'$ in terms of its mass $m_{Z'}$ and the associated gauge coupling $g_{B-L}$ as well as constraints in the Higgs sector, we analyse the potential of dilepton and four lepton final states for $Z'$ production. This includes Drell-Yan production, Higgs mediated decays and final state radiation processes concentrating only on the ATLAS and CMS detectors at the LHC. We show that the four-lepton final state is sensitive to $…
In contrast with $B^0-\bar B^0$, $B_s-\bar B_s$ mixing where the standard model (SM) contributions overwhelm that of new physics beyond standard model (BSM), a measured relatively large $D^0-\bar D^0$ mixing where the SM contribution is negligible, definitely implies the existence of new physics BSM. It is natural to consider that the rare decays of D meson might be more sensitive to new physics, and the rare decay $D^0\to μ^+μ^-$ could be an ideal area to search for new physics because it is a flavor changing process. In this work we look for a trace of new physics BSM in the leptonic decays …
The effective Majorana mass which determines the rate of the neutrinoless double beta decay, |<m>|, is considered in the case of three-neutrino mixing and massive Majorana neutrinos. Assuming a rather precise determination of the parameters characterizing the neutrino oscillation solutions of the solar and atmospheric neutrino problems has been made, we discuss the information a measurement of |<m>| > (0.005 - 0.010) eV can provide on the value of the lightest neutrino mass and on the CP-violation in the lepton sector. The implications of combining a measurement of |<m>| with future measuremen…
An ever-increasing body of evidence suggests that weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) constitute the bulk of the matter in the Universe. Experimental data, dimensional analysis and Standard Model particle physics are sufficient to evaluate and compare the performance of detectors searching for such particles either directly (e.g.\ by their scattering in germanium detectors), or indirectly (e.g.\ by observing their annihilation into neutrinos in underground detectors). We conclude that the direct method is superior if the WIMP interacts coherently and its mass is lower or comparable to…
The existence of dark matter was suggested, using simple gravitational arguments, seventy years ago. Although we are now convinced that most of the mass in the Universe is indeed some non-luminous matter, we still do not know its composition. The problem of the dark matter in the Universe is reviewed here. Particle candidates for dark matter are discussed with particular emphasis on Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). Experiments searching for these relic particles, carried out by many groups around the world, are also reviewed, paying special attention to their direct detection by o…
Weak boson fusion is a copious source of intermediate mass Higgs bosons at the LHC. The additional very energetic forward jets in these events provide for powerful background suppression tools. We analyze the $H \to ττ$ decay mode for the Standard Model Higgs boson. A parton level analysis of the dominant physics backgrounds (mainly $Z \to ττ$ and Drell-Yan production of $τ$'s) and of reducible backgrounds (from $W+$ jet and $b\bar{b}$ production in association with two jets and subsequent leptonic decays) demonstrates that this channel allows the observation of $H \to ττ$ in a low background …
We discuss the feasibility of the observation of the signal from $B_c$ mesons in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. In particular, we address the decay mode $B_c{\rightarrow}J/ψπ$ followed by the leptonic decay $J/ψ{\rightarrow}μ^+μ^-$, which should permit an accurate measurement of the $B_c$ mass. We performed a Monte Carlo study of the signal and background concluding that a precision of $\approx$ 1 MeV for the $B_c$ mass could be achieved after one year of running at $\lq\lq$low" luminosity. The semileptonic decay $B_c{\rightarrow}J/ψ μ^+ν_μ$ is also considered for a possible extraction of ${…
Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are considered to be one of the favoured dark matter candidates. Searching for any detectable signal due to the annihilation and decay of WIMPs over the entire electromagnetic spectrum has become a matter of interest for the last few decades. WIMP annihilation to Standard Model particles gives rise to a possibility of detection of this signal at low radio frequencies via synchrotron radiation. Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies (dSphs) are expected to contain a huge amount of dark matter which makes them promising targets to search for such large scale diffu…
Direct searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have pushed the lower limits on the masses of the gluinos ($\tilde{g}$) and the squarks of the first two generations ($\tilde{q}$) to the TeV range. On the other hand, the limits are rather weak for the third generation squarks and masses around a few hundred GeV are still allowed. A comparatively light third generation of squarks is also consistent with the lightest Higgs boson with mass $\sim$ 125 GeV. In view of this, we consider the direct production of a pair of sbottom quarks ($\tilde{b}_1$) at the LHC and study their collider signatures…
The production at the LHC of exotic excited leptons of charge $Q = +2e$ is considered. Such states are predicted in composite models with extended isospin multiplets ($I_{W}=1$ and $I_{W}=3/2$). The coupling among these doubly charged leptons and Standard Model fermions may occurs either via gauge or contact interactions. In the former case the decay channels are more constrained. We study the production cross section at the LHC of $L^{++}$ ($pp \rightarrow L^{++} \, \ell^{-}$) and focus on the leptonic signature deriving from the subsequent decays $L^{++} \rightarrow W^{+} \ell^{+} \rightarro…
After a summary of the motivations for searching flavour violating decays and electric dipole moments in the leptonic sector, I briefly sketch the present status of the limits on lepton-slepton misalignement and discuss the potentialities of the planned experimental improvements. Candidates for theories beyond the Standard Model have to satisfy all these experimental constraints; I will discuss in particular how the supersymmetric SM extended with the see-saw faces the flavour problem.
We performed a deep search for radio synchrotron emissions induced by weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) annihilation or decay in six dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies of the Local Group. Observations were conducted with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at 16 cm wavelength, with an rms sensitivity better than 0.05 mJy/beam in each field. In this work, we first discuss the uncertainties associated with the modeling of the expected signal, such as the shape of the dark matter (DM) profile and the dSph magnetic properties. We then investigate the possibility that point-source…
