The effect of the Gaussian profile of the new Higgs doublet on the radiative lepton flavor violating decay

We study the branching ratios of the lepton flavor violating processes μ→eγ, τ→eγ and τ→μγ by considering that the new Higgs scalars localize with Gaussian profile in the extra dimension. We see that the BRs of the LFV decays μ→eγ, τ→eγ and τ→μγ are at the order of magnitude of 10^-12, 10^-16 and 10^-12 in the considered range of the free parameters. These numerical values are slightly suppressed in the case that the localization points of new Higgs scalars are different from the origin.     

Limits on scalar-leptoquark masses from lepton-flavor-violating processes of the li → ljγ type

The contributions of scalar leptoquarks to lepton-flavor-violating processes of the l _i → l _j γ type are investigated on the basis of the minimal model relying on four-color symmetry and involving the Higgs mechanism of quark- and lepton-mass generation. It is shown that experimental data on the decay processes μ → eγ, τ → μγ, and τ → eγ are compatible with the existence of light scalar leptoquarks belonging to the type being considered and having masses around 1 TeV or below.     

Lepton flavor violating Z→l1 +l2 - decay in the split fermion scenario in the two Higgs doublet model

We predict the branching ratios of the Z→e^±μ^±, Z→e^±τ^± and Z→μ^±τ^± decays in the framework of the 2HDM, in the split fermion scenario. We observe that the branching ratios are not sensitive to a single extra dimension; however, this sensitivity is considerably large for two extra dimensions.     

The τ→μν<Subscript>i</Subscript>̄ν<Subscript>i</Subscript> decay in the Randall–Sundrum background with localized U(1)<Subscript>Y</Subscript> gauge boson

We study the effects of localization of the U(1)_Y gauge boson around the visible brane and the contributions of the Kaluza–Klein modes of Z bosons on the branching ratio of the lepton flavor violating τ→μν_īν_i decay. We observe that the branching ratio is sensitive to the amount of localization of the Z boson in the bulk of the Randall–Sundrum background.     

Neutrino mixing and masses in a left–right model with mirror fermions

In the framework of a left–right model containing mirror fermions with gauge group SU(3) _C ⊗SU(2) _L ⊗SU(2) _R ⊗U(1) _Y′, we estimate the neutrino masses, which are found to be consistent with their experimental bounds and hierarchy. We evaluate the decay rates of the Lepton Flavor Violation (LFV) processes μ→eγ, τ→μγ and τ→eγ. We obtain upper limits for the flavor-changing branching ratios in agreement with their present experimental bounds. We also estimate the decay rates of heavy Majorana neutrinos in the channels N→W ^± l ^∓, N→Zν _l and N→Hν _l , which are roughly equal for large values of the heavy neutrino mass. Starting from the most general Majorana neutrino mass matrix, the smallness of active neutrino masses turns out from the interplay of the hierarchy of the involved scales and the double application of seesaw mechanism. An appropriate parameterization on the structure of the neutrino mass matrix imposing a symmetric mixing of electron neutrino with muon and tau neutrinos leads to tri-bimaximal mixing matrix for light neutrinos.     

Unparticle physics and lepton flavor violating radion decays in the Randall–Sundrum scenario

We predict the branching ratios of the lepton flavor violating radion decays r→e^±μ^±, r→e^±τ^± and r→μ^±τ^± in the framework of the Randall-Sundrum scenario in which the lepton flavor violation is by scalar unparticle mediation. We observe that their BRs are strongly sensitive to the unparticle scaling dimension and, for small values, the branching ratios can reach values of the order of 10^-8, for the heavy lepton flavor case.     

FCNC top quark decays in extra dimensions

The flavor changing neutral top quark decay t→cX is computed, where X is a neutral standard model particle, in an extended model with a single extra dimension. The cases for the photon, X=γ, and a standard model Higgs boson, X=H, are analyzed in detail in a non-linear R_ξ gauge. We find that the branching ratios can be enhanced by the dynamics originating in the extra dimension. In the limit where 1/R≫m_t, we have found Br(t→cγ)≃10^-10 for 1/R = 0.5 TeV. For the decay t→cH, we have found Br(t→cH)≃10^-10 for a low Higgs mass value. The branching ratios go to zero when 1/R→∞.     

Lepton flavor violating Z-boson decays induced by scalar unparticle

We predict the branching ratios of the lepton-flavor violating Z-boson decays Z→e^±μ^±, Z→e^±τ^± and Z→μ^±τ^± in the case that the lepton-flavor violation is carried by scalar unparticle mediation. We observe that their BRs are strongly sensitive to the unparticle scaling dimension, and the branching ratios can reach values of the order of 10^-8, for the heavy lepton-flavor case, for small values of the scaling dimension.     

Learning about flavour structure from τ→eβγ and μ→eγ?

Current and upcoming experiments should improve the sensitivity to e _α →e _β γ decays by an order of magnitude. This paper assumes that one of the τ→e _β γ decays is observed, and explores the structure and consequences of the required new flavoured couplings. In simple models (a low-scale seesaw, leptoquarks) it is shown that the dipole vertex function is proportional to a product of flavoured matrices from the Lagrangian (a “Jarlskog-like” invariant), provided that the loop particles are weakly coupled to the Higgs. Secondly, if the dipole vertex function has a hierarchical structure, this might imply that only some of the τ→e _β γ modes can be observed, due to the “approximate zero” implied by the bound on μ→eγ. The assumptions underlying this potential test of a hierarchical structure are discussed.     

Search for the lepton flavour-violating decay μ→eγ

I introduce the upcoming MEG experiment, which will search for the rare decay μ→eγ down to the branching ratio of 10^-13. In order to suppress the background and achieve this unprecedented sensitivity, a great deal of thought went into designing this experiment. Here, I describe the essential components of this experiment, the beam line, the positron spectrometer, and the liquid xenon γ-ray detector. PACS 29.40.Gx; 29.40.Mc     

The flavor of quantum gravity

We develop an effective field theory to describe the coupling of non-thermal quantum black holes to particles such as those of the Standard Model. The effective Lagrangian is determined by imposing that the production cross section of a non-thermal quantum black hole be given by the usual geometrical cross section. Having determined the effective Lagrangian, we estimate the contribution of a virtual hole to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, μ→eγ transition and to the electric dipole moment of the neutron. We obtain surprisingly weak bounds on the Planck mass due to a chiral suppression factor in the calculated low energy observables. The tightest bounds come from μ→eγ and the limit on the neutron electric dipole moment. These bounds are in the few TeV region.     

B- c→η’ℓ-ν̄ decay and lepton polarization asymmetry

In this paper we study the lepton polarization asymmetry for the semileptonic OZI-forbidden annihilation decay B^- _c→η’ℓ^-ν̄, where ℓ=μ,τ. Our results show that the branching ratios turn out to be of order 10^-4. Besides, we find that longitudinal, transversal and normal components of lepton polarizations can be measured for both μ and τ decay modes in the future experiments at the LHC. PACS 14.40.Nd; 13.20.He; 13.60.-r; 11.30.Er     

μ → <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>γ decay versus the μ → <Emphasis Type="Italic">eee</Emphasis> bound and lepton flavor violating processes in supernova

Even tiny lepton flavor violation (LFV) due to some New Physics is able to alter the conditions inside a collapsing supernova core and probably to facilitate the explosion. LFV emerges naturally in a see-saw type-II model of neutrino mass generation. Experimentally, the LFV beyond the Standard Model is constrained by rare lepton decay searches. In particular, strong bounds are imposed on the μ → eee branching ratio and on the μ-e conversion in muonic gold. Currently, the μ→eγ is under investigation in the MEG experiment that aims at a dramatic increase in sensitivity in the next three years. We seek a see-saw type-II LFV pattern that fits all the experimental constraints, leads to Br(μ →eγ) ≳ Br(μμ →eee), and ensures a rate of LFV processes in supernova high enough to modify the supernova physics. These requirements are sufficient to eliminate almost all freedom in the model. In particular, they lead to the prediction 0.4 × 10⁻¹² ≲ Br(μ → eγ) ≲ 6 × 10⁻¹², which will be testable by MEG in the nearest future. The considered scenario also constrains the neutrino mass-mixing pattern and provides lower and upper bounds on τ-lepton LFV decays. We also briefly discuss a model with a single bilepton in which the μ → eee decay is absent at the tree level.     

Search for Higgs bosons decaying to WW in e+e- collisions at LEP

A search for Higgs bosons produced in association with a fermion pair, and decaying to WW, is performed with the data collected by the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies ranging from 191 to 209 GeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 453.2 pb^-1. Thirteen exclusive selections are developed according to the different final state topologies. No statistically significant evidence for a Higgs boson decaying into a WW pair has been found. An upper limit is derived, as a function of the Higgs boson mass, on the product of the e⁺e^-→Hff̄ cross section and the H→WW branching ratio. The data on the search for H→WW are combined with previously published ALEPH results on the search for H→γγ, to significantly extend the limits on the mass of a fermiophobic Higgs boson.     

Low mass Higgs signals at the LHC in the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model

In the NMSSM, because of introducing a complex singlet superfield, the lightest CP-odd Higgs boson, a ₁, can be a singlet-like state with a tiny doublet component in large regions of parameter space. In this paper, we examine the discovery potential of a ₁ produced in association with a bottom–antibottom pair at the LHC through τ ⁺ τ ⁻ and γγ decay modes. It is shown that an a ₁ with mass ≤M _Z can be extracted from the SM backgrounds by using the τ ⁺ τ ⁻ decay channel, a possibility precluded to the MSSM. In contrast, the γγ decay mode is overwhelmed by backgrounds despite the fact that the branching ratio of this mode can reach unity when a ₁ is a pure singlet.     

Test of lepton flavour violation at the LHC

We study lepton flavour violating decays of neutralinos and sleptons within the minimal supersymmetric standard model, assuming two and three generation mixings in the slepton sector. We take into account the most recent bounds on flavour violating rare lepton decays. Taking the SPS1a’ scenario as an example, we show that some of the lepton flavour violating branching ratios of neutralinos and sleptons can be sizable (∼5–10%). We study the impact of the lepton flavour violating neutralino and slepton decays on the di-lepton mass distributions measured at the LHC. We find that they can result in novel and characteristic edge structures in the distributions. In particular, double-edge structures can appear in the eτ and μτ mass spectra if is the lightest slepton. The appearance of these remarkable structures provides a powerful test of supersymmetric lepton flavour violation at the LHC.     

Towards a measurement of the two-photon decay width of the Standard Model Higgs boson at a Photon Collider

A study of the measurement of the two photon decay width times the branching ratio of the Standard Model Higgs boson with a mass of 120 GeV in photon–photon collisions is presented, assuming a γ γ integrated luminosity of 80 fb⁻¹ in the high energy part of the spectrum. The analysis is based on the reconstruction of the Higgs events produced in the γ γ→H process, followed by the decay of the Higgs into a pair. A statistical error of the measurement of the two-photon width, Γ(H→γ γ), times the branching ratio of the Higgs boson, BR is found to be 2.1% for one year of data taking.     

Prospects for the measurement of the structure of the coupling of a Higgs boson to weak gauge bosons in weak boson fusion with the ATLAS detector

The prospects for the measurement of the tensor structure of the vertex between a standard model Higgs boson and two weak gauge bosons using the distribution of the azimuthal angles between the two tagging jets in the weak boson fusion channel are studied in a Monte Carlo analysis using the fast simulation of the ATLAS detector. The decay channels H→τ⁺τ^-→ll+4ν, H→τ⁺τ^-→lh+3ν at m_H=120 GeV and H→W⁺W^-→llνν at m_H=160 GeV are used in the analysis. For a standard model Higgs boson it is found that purely anomalous couplings are expected to be excluded at a confidence level corresponding to 2σ or more at m_H=120 GeV and more than 5σ at m_H=160 GeV from 30 fb^-1 of data. With a value of 1 roughly reproducing the standard model cross section for a purely anomalous coupling, the standard deviation in a measurement of a contribution of a CP even anomalous coupling in addition to the standard model coupling is estimated to be 0.20 at m_H=120 GeV and 0.09 at m_H=160 GeV.     

Exploring the di-photon decay of a light Higgs boson in the MSSM with explicit CP violation

The di-photon decay channel of the lightest Higgs boson is considered as a probe to explore CP violation in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). The scalar/pseudo-scalar mixing is considered along with CP violation entering through the Higgs–sfermion–sfermion couplings, with and without light sparticles. The impact of a light stop on the decay width and branching ratio (BR) is established through a detailed study of the amplitude of the process H₁→γγ. The other sparticles have little influence even when they are light. With a suitable combination of other MSSM parameters, a light stop can change the BR by more than 50% with a CP-violating phase φ_μ∼90°, while the change is almost nil with a heavy stop.     

More about the sgoldstino interpretation of HyperCP events

We further discuss possible sgoldstino interpretation of the observation, reported by the HyperCP collaboration, of three Σ⁺ → pμ⁺μ⁻ decay events with the dimuon invariant mass 214.3 MeV within the detector resolution. With a sgoldstino mass equal to 214.3 MeV, this interpretation can be verified at existing and future B and ϕ factories. We find that the most natural values of the branching ratios of two-body B and D meson decays to sgoldstino P and vector meson V are about 10⁻⁶−10⁻⁷. The branching ratios of ϕ meson decay ϕ → Pγ are estimated to be in the range 1.8 × 10⁻¹³−1.6 × 10⁻⁷, depending on the hierarchy of supersymmetry-breaking soft terms. Similar branching ratios for ρ and ω mesons are in the range 10⁻¹⁴−3.4 × 10⁻⁷. The text was submitted by the authors in English.