Tests of the standard model and search for new physics using flavor

The vast amount of flavor physics data available to date allows probing the presence of physics beyond the standard model through precision measurements of CP violating and CP conserving processes involving B, D, and K mesons. The information extracted from these measurements allows the characterization of physics beyond the standard model in a complementary way with respect to the direct searches at the Tevatron and the LHC. We review the status of the search for new physics with flavor-related observables. We discuss the status of the unitarity triangle analysis beyond the standard model: the inclusion of the recent measurements of B_s decays from the Tevatron experiments point to a discrepancy from the standard model expectation. In addition, we discuss the impact of O(Λ_QCD/m_b) corrections to the perturbative calculation of charmless hadronic B decays. These corrections can explain the puzzling values of direct CP asymmetries in B→Kπ decays within the standard model. These corrections cannot explain values of sin2β lower than the standard model value, as observed in b→s penguin decays. We conclude with the perspectives of the next generation of flavor-physics experiments, the precision they can reach and their phenomenological impact.     

Strong laser fields as a probe for fundamental physics

Upcoming high-intensity laser systems will be able to probe the quantum-induced nonlinear regime of electrodynamics. So far unobserved QED phenomena such as the discovery of a nonlinear response of the quantum vacuum to macroscopic electromagnetic fields can become accessible. In addition, such laser systems provide for a flexible tool for investigating fundamental physics. Primary goals consist in verifying so far unobserved QED phenomena. Moreover, strong-field experiments can search for new light but weakly interacting degrees of freedom and are thus complementary to accelerator-driven experiments. I review recent developments in this field, focusing on photon experiments in strong electromagnetic fields. The interaction of particle-physics candidates with photons and external fields can be parameterized by low-energy effective actions and typically predict characteristic optical signatures. I perform first estimates of the accessible new-physics parameter space of high-intensity laser facilities such as POLARIS and ELI.     

Neutral pion decays probe new physics beyond the standard model

We study the decay π⁰ → γ + unobservable particles. The observation of such a process would give unambiguous evidence for the existence of a new light gauge boson of the type predicted by a number of current models. It is shown that the decay rate of the production of such a boson can be experimentally interesting. The contribution of the background processes (π⁰ → γ + scalars, π⁰ → γ + fermions) is proved to be negligibly small.     

Di-Higgs production as a probe of flavor changing neutral Yukawa couplings

Top partners are well motivated in many new physics models.Usually,vector like quarks,T_(L,R),are introduced to circumvent the quantum anomaly.Therefore,it is crucial to probe their interactions with standard model particles.However,flavor changing neutral couplings are always difficult to detect directly in current and future experiments.In this paper,we demonstrate how to constrain the flavor changing neutral Yukawa coupling Tth indirectly,via the di-Higgs production.We consider the simplified model,including a pair of gauge singlet T_(L,R).Under the perturbative unitarity and experimental constraints,we select m_T=400 GeV,s_L=0.2,and m_T=800 GeV,s_L=0.1 as benchmark points.After the analysis on the amplitude and evaluation of the numerical cross sections,we infer that the present constraints from di-Higgs production have already surpassed the unitarity bound because of the(y_(L,R)~(tT))~4 behavior.For the case of m_T=400 GeV and s_L=0.2,Rey_(L,R)~(tT) and Imy_(L,R)~(tT)can be bounded optimally in the range(-0.4,0.4) at the HL-LHC with 2σ CL.For the case of m_T=800 GeV and s_L=0.1,Rey_(L,R)~(tT)and Imy_(L,R)~(tT) can be bounded optimally in the range(-0.5,0.5) at the HL-LHC with 2σ CL.The anomalous triple Higgs coupling δ_(hhh) can also affect the constraints on y_(L,R)~(tT).Finally,we determine that the top quark electric dipole moment can provide stronger bounds in the off-axis regions for some scenarios.     

Tagged jets and jet reconstruction as a probe of the quark-gluon plasma

The large center-of-mass energies available to the heavy-ion program at the LHC and recent experimental advances at RHIC will enable QCD matter at very high temperatures and energy densities, that is, the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), to be probed in unprecedented ways. Fully-reconstructed inclusive jets and the away-side hadron showers associated with electroweak bosons, that is, tagged jets, are among these exciting new probes. Full jet reconstruction provides an experimental window into the mechanisms of quark and gluon dynamics in the QGP which is not accessible via leading particles and leading particle correlations. Theoretical advances in these exciting new fields of research can help resolve some of the most controversial points in heavy ion physics today such as the significance of the radiative, collisional and dissociative processes in the QGP and the applicability of strong versus weak coupling regimes to describe jet production and propagation. In this proceedings, I will present results on the production and subsequent suppression of high energy jets tagged with Z bosons in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and LHC energies using the Gyulassy-Levai-Vitev (GLV) parton energy loss approach.     

Lepton flavor violating Z-boson decays at GigaZ as a probe of supersymmetry

This paper briefly reviews the lepton flavor violating Z-decays at GigaZ as a probe of supersymmetry by focusing on Z → i j in two representative supersymmetric models: the minimal supersymmetric model without R-parity and the supersymmetric seesaw model.The work concludes that under the current experimental constraints from LEP and i → j γ,these rare decays can still be enhanced to reach the sensitivity of the GigaZ.Therefore,supersymmetry can be probed via these decays at GigaZ.     

Quantum theory as an indication of a new order in physics. Part A. The development of new orders as shown through the history of physics

In this paper, we discuss the general significance of order in physics, as a first step toward the development of new notions of order. We begin with a brief historical discussion of the notions of order underlying ancient Greek views, and then go on to show how these changed in key ways with the rise of classical physics. This leads to a broader view of the significance of order, which helps to indicate what is to be meant by a change of our general notions of order in physics. We then go into relativity and quantum theory, showing how these developments actually did bring in further new notions of order, which are however inconsistent and otherwise inadequate in certain ways. Finally, using these inconsistencies and inadequacies as clues or indications for yet a further new concept of order, we make some proposals for novel directions of inquiry (to be discussed in some detail in later papers) which could lead to theories as different from relativity and quantum theory as these are from classical physics.     

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.      

Electric dipole moments as probes of new physics

We review several aspects of flavour-diagonal CP-violation, focussing on the role played by the electric dipole moments (EDMs) of leptons, nucleons, atoms, and molecules, which constitute the source of several stringent constraints on new CP-violating physics. We dwell specifically on the calculational aspects of applying the hadronic EDM constraints, reviewing in detail the application of QCD sum-rules to the calculation of nucleon EDMs and CP-odd pion-nucleon couplings. We also consider the current status of EDMs in the Standard Model, and on the ensuing constraints on the underlying sources of CP-violation in physics beyond the Standard Model, focussing on weak-scale supersymmetry.     

A comparison of b and uds quark jets to gluon jets

Symmetric three-jet events are selected from hadronic Z⁰ decays such that the two lower energy jets are each produced at an angle of about 150° with respect to the highest energy jet. In some cases, a displaced secondary vertex is reconstructed in one of the two lower energy jets, which permits the other lower energy jet to be identified as a gluon jet through anti-tagging. In other cases, the highest energy jet is tagged as a b jet or as a light quark (uds) jet using secondary vertex or track impact parameter and momentum information. Comparing the two lower energy jets of the events with a tag in the highest energy jet to the anti-tagged gluon jets yields a direct comparison of b, uds and gluon jets, which are produced with the same energy of about 24 GeV and under the same conditions. We observe b jets and gluon jets to have similar properties as measured by the angular distribution of particle energy around the jet directions and by the fragmentation functions. In contrast, gluon jets are found to be significantly broader and to have a markedly softer fragmentation function than uds jets. For the k _⊥ jet finder with y _cut=0.02, we find $${«ngle n^{? ch.}»ngle {? gluon}?er «ngle n^{? ch.}»ngle {? b} {? quark}}=1.089pm 0.024 ({? stat.})pm0.024 ({? syst.})$$ $${«ngle n^{? ch.}»ngle {? gluon}?er «ngle n^{? ch.}»ngle {? uds} {? quark}}=1.390pm 0.038 ({? stat.})pm0.032 ({? syst.})$$ as the ratios of the mean charged particle multiplicity in the gluon jets compared to the b and uds jets. Results are also reported using the cone jet finder.     

A comparison of b and uds quark jets to gluon jets

Symmetric three-jet events are selected from hadronic Z⁰ decays such that the two lower energy jets are each produced at an angle of about 150° with respect to the highest energy jet. In some cases, a displaced secondary vertex is reconstructed in one of the two lower energy jets, which permits the other lower energy jet to be identified as a gluon jet through anti-tagging. In other cases, the highest energy jet is tagged as a b jet or as a light quark (uds) jet using secondary vertex or track impact parameter and momentum information. Comparing the two lower energy jets of the events with a tag in the highest energy jet to the anti-tagged gluon jets yields a direct comparison of b, uds and gluon jets, which are produced with the same energy of about 24 GeV and under the same conditions. We observe b jets and gluon jets to have similar properties as measured by the angular distribution of particle energy around the jet directions and by the fragmentation functions. In contrast, gluon jets are found to be significantly broader and to have a markedly softer fragmentation function than uds jets. For thek _⊥ jet finder withy _cut=0.02, we find as the ratios of the mean charged particle multiplicity in the gluon jets compared to the b and uds jets. Results are also reported using the cone jet finder.     

A scalar boson as a messenger of new physics

Quantum corrections generate a quadratically divergent mass term for the Higgs boson in the standard model. Thus, if the Higgs boson has a mass of order 100 GeV, it implies the presence of a cut-off of the theory around TeV scale, and some particles associated with the new physics may appear around the cut-off scale Λ. However, if Λ is several TeV, it may be difficult to find such particles at the LHC. In this Letter, we consider a situation in which the new physics provides relatively light particles compared with the scale Λ. In such a situation, we show that diphoton event and four lepton event by the decay of the Higgs and/or a new particle have naturally large cross section, and LHC may test the new physics in a considerably broad parameter region even if Λ is several TeV.     

The fully entangled fraction as an inclusive measure of entanglement applications

Characterizing entanglement in all but the simplest case of a two qubit pure state is a hard problem, even understanding the relevant experimental quantities that are related to entanglement is difficult. It may not be necessary, however, to quantify the entanglement of a state in order to quantify the quantum information processing significance of a state. It is known that the fully entangled fraction has a direct relationship to the fidelity of teleportation maximized under the actions of local unitary operations. In the case of two qubits we point out that the fully entangled fraction can also be related to the fidelities, maximized under the actions of local unitary operations, of other important quantum information tasks such as dense coding, entanglement swapping and quantum cryptography in such a way as to provide an inclusive measure of these entanglement applications. For two qubit systems the fully entangled fraction has a simple known closed-form expression and we establish lower and upper bounds of this quantity with the concurrence. This approach is readily extendable to more complicated systems.     

A cluster algorithm for the study of jets in high energy physics

A cluster algorithm using angular correlations and leading particle effects is presented which is applicable to the study of jets produced in high energy storage ring collisions. The algorithm uses the concept of a minimal spanning tree and is computationally very efficient. Events are classified by their cluster number and the cluster number frequency distribution can be used for comparison with particle production models. Individual particles are assigned to the clusters and the vector sum of their momenta generate a cluster axis. These cluster properties permit the study of the dynamics of the jet production and fragmentation processes. The example of two and three jet production at PEP and PETRA energies is used to illustrate this technique.