Probing new physics from top quark FCNC processes at linear colliders: a mini review

We briefly review the studies on the top quark FCNC processes at a next-generation linear collider. Such processes, including various FCNC top quark rare decays and top-charm associated productions, are extremely suppressed in the standard model (SM) but could be significantly enhanced in some extensions. We compared the predictions from different typical new physics models: the SM, the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM), the general two-higgs-doublet model (2HDM), and the topcolor-assisted technicolor (TC2) model. Our conclusion is: (1) While all the new physics models can enhance the rates by several orders relative to the SM predictions, the TC2 model predicts much larger rates than other models; (2) The optimal channel for probing the top quark FCNC is the top-charm associated production in γγ collision, which occurs at a much higher rate than e⁺e⁻ or e⁻γ collision and can reach the detectable level for a large part of the parameter space.     

Lepton pairs as a signal for the top quark

Multipleton final states from the sequential decay of the top quark are studied. Lepton pairs with large invariant mass are proposed as a signal for the top quark. The background from different processes is estimated.     

Lepton distribution in top decay: A probe of new physics and top-polarization

We investigate the possibilities of studying new physics in various processes of t-quark production using kinematical distributions of the secondary lepton coming from decay of t quarks. We show that the angular distributions of the secondary lepton are insensitive to the anomalous tbW vertex and hence are pure probes of new physics in a generic process of t-quark production. The effects of t polarization on the distributions of the decay lepton are demonstrated for top-pair production process at a γγ-collider mediated by a heavy Higgs boson.      

Single top quark production with and without a Higgs boson

One method of probing new physics beyond the Standard Model is to check the correlation among higher-dimensional operators in the effective field theory.We examine the strong correlation between the processes pp→tHq and pp tq,which both depend on the same three operators.The correlation indicates that,according to the data of pp→tq,σ_(tHq)=[106.8±64.8] fb,which is significantly below the current upper limit σ_(tHq)≤900 fb.     

Semiweak production of a top quark accompanied by a bottom quark and 2 jets at hadron colliders

We present a computation for the process of semiweak production of a top and a bottom quark accompanied by two jets. The calculation is performed using spinor techniques generalized to include massive fermions. The obtained matrix element squared allows for an accurate simulation of single top quark production in hadronic interactions with realistic transverse momentum and angular distributions for the jets in the event.Differential cross-sections are compared with previously obtained distributions from calculations.     

Searching for anomalous top quark production at the early LHC

We present a detailed study of the anomalous top quark production with subsequent decay at the LHC induced by model-independent flavor-changing neutral-current couplings, incorporating the complete next-to-leading order QCD effects. Our results show that, taking into account the current limits from the Tevatron, the LHC with √s=7 TeV may discover the anomalous coupling at 5σ level for a very low integrated luminosity of 61 pb?1. The discovery potentials for the anomalous couplings at the LHC are examined in detail. We also discuss the possibility of using the charge ratio to distinguish the tug and tcg couplings.     

TC2 dynamics and top quark production at NLC

We calculate the correction of the TC2 dynamics to the production cross section of the process in the top color-assisted multiscale technicolor model. Our results show that the corrections mainly come from the effects of the top color gauge boson in the s-channel. The total corrections to cross sections and are very large; this can be detected at NLC. The total corrections to the polarized parameters and may be observed at NLC in most of the parameter space. Received: 4 September 1999 / Revised version: 19 November 1999 / Published online: 17 March 2000     

Probing new top physics at the LHCb experiment

We suggest that top quark physics can be studied at the LHCb experiment and that top quark production could be observed. Since LHCb covers a large pseudorapidity region in the forward direction, it has unique abilities to probe new physics in the top quark sector. Furthermore, we demonstrate that LHCb may be able to measure a t ?t production rate asymmetry and, thus, indirectly probe an anomalous forward-backward t ?t asymmetry in the forward region, a possibility suggested by the enhanced forward-backward asymmetry reported by the CDF experiment.     

Supersymmetric correction to top quark pair production near threshold

We studied the leading supersymmetric contribution to top–antitop threshold production using the NRQCD framework. The one-loop matching to the potential and the Wilson coefficient of the leading ³S₁ production current were considered. We point out that the leading correction to the potential is zero due to SU(3)_c gauge invariance. This is true in general for any new physics that enters above the electroweak scale. The shape of the top quark pair production cross section is therefore almost unaffected near threshold, allowing a precise determination of the top quark mass based on the Standard Model calculations. The supersymmetric correction to the Wilson coefficient c₁ of the production current decouples for heavy super particles. Its contribution is smaller than the Standard Model next-to-next-leading-log results.     

Properties of the top quark

The top quark was discovered at the CDF and D0 experiments in 1995. As the partner of the bottom quark its properties within the Standard Model are fully defined. Only the mass is a free parameter. The measurement of the top quark mass and the verification of the expected properties have been an important topic of experimental top quark physics since. In this review the recent results on top quark properties obtained by the Tevatron experiments CDF and D0 are summarised. At the advent of the LHC special emphasis is given to the basic measurement methods and the dominating systematic uncertainties.     

Charged Higgs boson production in association with a top quark in MC@NLO

The European Physical Journal C - We discuss the calculation of charged Higgs boson production in association with a top quark in the MC@NLO framework for combining NLO matrix elements with a...     

Measuring Higgs CP properties through top quark production at a photon collider

We study resonant effects of heavy Higgs bosons on the top-pair production process at a photon linear collider. Observables which can be obtained by circular polarization of colliding photons and polarization measurement through the angular distribution of the top quark decays are useful not only for measuring the Higgs CP parity but also for resolving degeneracy of Higgs bosons.      

Measurements of the production, decay and properties of the top quark: a review

With the full Tevatron Run II and early LHC data samples, the opportunity for furthering our understanding of the properties of the top quark has never been more promising. Although the current knowledge of the top quark comes largely from Tevatron measurements, the experiments at the LHC are poised to probe top-quark production and decay in unprecedented regimes. Although no current top quark measurements conclusively contradict predictions from the standard model, the precision of most measurements remains statistically limited. Additionally, some measurements, most notably A _FB in top quark pair production, show tantalizing hints of beyond-the-Standard-Model dynamics. The top quark sample is growing rapidly at the LHC, with initial results now public. This review examines the current status of top quark measurements in the particular light of searching for evidence of new physics, either through direct searches for beyond the standard model phenomena or indirectly via precise measurements of standard model top quark properties.