High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph)

Abstract: The muonium-to-antimuonium transition experiment is about to be updated. Notably, the experiment at J-PARC in Japan can explore the magnetic field dependence of the transition probability. In this paper, we investigate the information that we can extract from the transition probabilities across different magnetic field strengths, while also taking into account a planned transition experiment at CSNS in China. There are two model-independent parameters in the transition amplitude, and we ascertain the feasibility of determining these parameters, including their relative physical phase, from experimental measurements. This physical phase can be related to the electron electric dipole moment, which is severely constrained by experiments. The underlying mediator responsible for the transition can be either doubly charged particles or neutral particles. In the former case, typical magnetic fields yield specific probability ratios, while the latter presents a range of the probability ratio. We investigate several models with neutral mediators, and elucidate that the probability ratio is linked to the sign of new physics contribution to the electron $g-2$. The pivotal role of the J-PARC transition experiment in shedding light on these insights is emphasized.

Abstract: Diffractive phenomena constitute a large fraction of interactions occurring in pp collisions at LHC. Because of the non-perturbative nature, their present understanding is still relatively poor and uncertain. One of the methods to study these processes is forward proton tagging. I will discuss the mechanism of diffractive processes, recent results, and potential implications. The proton tagging method can also be used for measurements of photon-induced processes, in particular, the photon-photon interactions. I will present the physics behind these processes, the experimental status and the lessons we can learn for the strong interactions and for the electroweak sector.

Abstract: Secondary messengers such as neutrinos and photons are expected to be produced in interactions of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with extragalactic background photons. Their propagation could be altered by the effects of Lorentz invariance violation. In this work, we have developed an extension of the SimProp code that includes some Lorentz-violating scenarios affecting the propagation of neutrinos. We present the corresponding expected cosmogenic neutrino fluxes for three different astrophysical scenarios for the production of UHECRs. These results can be used to put constraints on the scale of Lorentz violation in the neutrino sector.

Abstract: Using the spectral representation of the quark propagator we study the Dirac decomposition of the gauge invariant quark propagator, whose imaginary part describes the hadronization of a quark as this interacts with the vacuum. We then demonstrate the formal gauge invariance of the so-called jet mass, that is of the coefficient of the chiral-odd part of the gauge invariant propagator, that can be expressed in any gauge as the first moment of the chiral-odd quark spectral function. This is therefore revealed to be a \textit{bona fide} QCD observable encoding aspects of the dynamical mass generation in the QCD vacuum, and is furthermore experimentally measurable in specific twist-3 longitudinal-transverse asymmetries in DIS and in semi-inclusive electron-positron collisions. In light-like axial gauges, we also obtain a new sum rule for the spectral function associated with the gauge fixing vector. We finally present a gauge-dependent formula that connects the second moment of the chiral-even coefficient of the quark spectral function to invariant mass generation and final state rescattering in the hadronization of a quark. Finding twist-4 experimental observables sensitive to this quantity is left for future work.

Abstract: We present a new event generator for the simulation of both neutral- and charged-current deep inelastic scattering (DIS) at next-to-leading order in QCD matched to parton showers using the POWHEG method. Our implementation builds on the existing POWHEG BOX framework originally designed for hadron-hadron collisions, supplemented by considerable extensions to account for the genuinely different kinematics inherent to lepton-hadron collisions. In particular, we present new momentum mappings that conserve the special kinematics found in DIS, which we use to modify the POWHEG BOX implementation of the Frixione-Kunszt-Signer subtraction mechanism. We compare our predictions to fixed-order and resummed predictions, as well as to data from the HERA ep collider. Finally we study a few representative distributions for the upcoming Electron Ion Collider.

Abstract: The experimental data on the electromagnetic form factor of charged pions available at spacelike momenta are analyzed using the Dispersive Matrix (DM) approach, which describes the momentum dependence of hadronic form factors without introducing any explicit parameterization and includes properly the constraints coming from unitarity and analyticity. The unitary bound is evaluated nonperturbatively making use of the results of lattice QCD simulations of suitable two-point correlation functions contributing to the HVP term of the muon. Thanks to the DM method we determine the pion charge radius from existing spacelike data in a completely model-independent way and consistently with the unitary bound, obtaining $< r_\pi >_{DM} = 0.703 \pm 0.027$ fm. This finding differs by $\simeq 1.6$ standard deviations from the latest PDG value $< r_\pi >_{PDG} = 0.659 \pm 0.004$ fm, which is dominated by the very precise results of dispersive analyses of timelike data coming from measurements of the cross section of the $e^+ e^- \to \pi^+ \pi^-$ process. We have analyzed the spacelike data using also traditional $z$-expansions, like the Boyd-Grinstein-Lebed (BGL) or Bourrely-Caprini-Lellouch (BCL) fitting functions and adopting a simple procedure that incorporates ab initio the non-perturbative unitary bound in the fitting process. We get $< r_\pi >_{BGL} = 0.711 \pm 0.039$ fm and $< r_\pi >_{BCL} = 0.709 \pm 0.028$ fm in nice agreement with the DM result. We have addressed also the issue of the onset of perturbative QCD by performing a sensitivity study of the pion form factor at large spacelike momenta, based only on experimental spacelike data and unitarity. Hence, although the leading pQCD behaviour is found to set in only at very large momenta, our DM bands may provide information about the pre-asymptotic effects related to the scale dependence of the pion distribution amplitude.

Abstract: Several designs for high-energy Lepton Colliders serving as Higgs factories but extendable to higher energies up to the TeV range are under discussion. The most mature design is the International Linear Collider (ILC), but also the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) as well as the new concept of a Hybrid Asymmetric Linear Higgs Factory (HALHF) have a large physics potential. The first energy stage with $\sqrt{s}=250$~GeV requires high luminosity and polarized beams and imposes an effort for all positron source designs at high-energy colliders. In the baseline design of the ILC, an undulator-based source is foreseen for the positron source in order to match the physics requirements. In this contribution an overview is given about the undulator-based source, the target tests, the rotating target wheel design, as well as the pulsed solenoid and the new technology development of plasma lenses as optic matching devices.

Abstract: We relate the interactions of the $\bar{D}^{(\ast)} K^\ast$ and $D^{(\ast)} K^\ast$ systems to those of $D^{(\ast)}D^{(\ast)}$ and $D^{(\ast)}\bar{D}^{(\ast)}$ respectively, considering the residual strong interactions at the near-threshold energy is too weak to excite the strange quarks inside the hadrons. We propose an effective model to describe the low-energy S-wave interactions that are undertaken by the light $u$, $d$ quarks between two separated heavy hadrons. We find that the existence of molecules in the heavy-(anti)heavy sectors will naturally lead to the emergence of molecular states in $\bar{D}^{(\ast)} K^\ast$ and $D^{(\ast)} K^\ast$ systems. The recently observed $T_{cs0}(2900)$ and $T_{c\bar{s}0}^a(2900)$ can be well identified as the $0(0^+)$ and $1(0^+)$ partners of $T_{cc}(3875)$ and $Z_c(3900)$ in the charmed strange sector, respectively. We also predict their members under the {\it heavy} ($c$ and $s$) quark symmetry and SU(2) flavor symmetry. Most of them are very good molecule candidates, for example, (i) the $0(1^+)$ states in $D^\ast D^\ast$, $\bar{D}K^\ast$, $\bar{D}^\ast K^\ast$; (ii) the $0^{(+)}(2^{+(+)})$ states in $D^\ast \bar{D}^\ast$, $\bar{D}^\ast K^\ast$, $D^\ast K^\ast$; (iii) the $1^-(0^{++})$ state in $D^\ast\bar{D}^\ast$ and $1(1^+)$ state in $D^\ast K^\ast$. The $0^+(0^{++})$ state in $D\bar{D}$ and the $0(1^+)$ state in $DK^\ast$ might also exist as virtual states, and the $0(1^+)$ $DK^\ast$ can serve as a key to infer the existence of $0^+(0^{++})$ $D\bar{D}$. The $D_s\pi$ invariant mass spectrum of $T_{c\bar{s}0}^a(2900)$ is also studied within the coupled-channel approach, and the molecular interpretation of $T_{c\bar{s}0}^a(2900)$ is consistent with the experimental data. Searching for the predicted states in experiments is crucial to discriminate the different pictures for interpreting these near-threshold exotica.

Abstract: Recently, Belle II reported on the first measurement of $\mathcal{B}(B^\pm\to K^\pm \nu\bar{\nu})$ which appears to be almost $3\sigma$ larger than predicted in the Standard Model. We point out the important correlation with $\mathcal{B}(B\to K^{\ast} \nu\bar{\nu})$ so that the measurement of that decay mode could help restraining the possible options for building the model of New Physics. We then try to interpret this new experimental result in terms of physics beyond the Standard Model by using SMEFT and find that a scenario with coupling only to $\tau$ can accommodate the current experimental constraints but fails in getting a desired $R_{D^{(\ast )}}^\mathrm{exp}/R_{D^{(\ast )}}^\mathrm{SM}$, unless one turns the other SMEFT operators that are not related to $b\to s\ell\ell$ or/and $b\to s\nu\nu$.

Abstract: It is proven that the rotation of the spin of a polarized neutron is accompanied by a net nuclear force upon it. This force arises from the weak nuclear self-interaction of its constituent quarks, whose chiral nature induces the transfer of a net momentum to the fields of Z and W-bosons. This effect is linear in Fermi's constant. As a result, it is estimated that along the spin-flip of a polarized neutron its velocity undergoes a variation of the order of meters per second.

Abstract: We present a phenomenological model to investigate the chiral phase transition characterized by parity doubling in dense, beta equilibrated, cold matter. Our model incorporates effective interactions constrained by SU(3) relations and considers baryonic degrees of freedom. By constraining the model with astrophysical data and nuclear matter properties, we find a first-order phase transition within realistic values of the slope parameter L. The inclusion of the baryon octet and negative parity partners, along with a chiral-invariant mass $m_{0}$, allows for a non-massless chiral symmetric phase. Through exploration of parameter space, we identify parameter sets satisfying mass and radius constraints without requiring a partonic phase. The appearance of the parity partner of the nucleon, the N(1535) resonance, suppresses strangeness, pushing hyperonization to higher densities. We observe a mild first-order phase transition to the chirally restored phase, governed by $m_{0}$. Our calculations of surface tension highlight its strong dependence on $m_{0}$. The existence of mixed phases is ruled out since they become energetically too costly. We compare stars with metastable and stable cores using both branches of the equation of state. Despite limited lifespans due to low surface tension values, phase conversion and star contraction could impact neutron stars with masses around 1.3 solar masses or more. We discuss some applications of this model in its non-zero temperatures generalization and scenarios beyond beta equilibrium that can provide insights into core-collapse supernovae, proto-neutron star evolution, and neutron star mergers. Core-collapse supernovae dynamics, influenced by chiral symmetry restoration and exotic hadronic states, affect explosion mechanisms and nucleosynthesis.

Abstract: Confirmed by the measurement of neutrino oscillations, neutrino mass is recognized as a genuine manifestation of physics beyond the Standard Model, while its originating mechanism remains a mystery. Moreover, the proper field-theory description of neutrinos, whether they are Majorana or Dirac type, must be linked to such a mechanism. The present work addresses the calculation, estimation, and analysis of one-loop contributions from virtual Majorana neutrinos, light and heavy as well, to the neutral gauge boson coupling $ZZZ$, which participates in $Z$-boson pair production from $e^+e^-$ collisions. This task is carried out in the framework defined by a seesaw variant in which light neutrinos remain massless at tree level, then becoming massive radiatively. The $ZZZ^*$ coupling, with $Z^*$ an off-shell $Z$ boson, is defined by two form factors, namely, $f_4$, characterizing CP-odd effects, and $f_5$, which is CP-even. Constraints from the Large Hadron Collider on both these quantities are currently ${\cal O}(10^{-4})$. Our calculation yields CP-nonpreserving contributions to $ZZZ$, which are absent in the framework of the sole Standard Model. Our estimations show that the $f_4$ contribution might be as large as ${\cal O}(10^{-7})$ for heavy-neutrino masses $\sim1\,{\rm TeV}$. CP-even contributions $f_5$ are also generated, which are, in general, larger than their CP-odd counterparts. We estimate them to be as large as ${\cal O}(10^{-4})$ at a center-of-mass energy of $500\,{\rm GeV}$, in $e^+e^-$ collisions.