Abstract: A search for vectorlike quarks is presented, which targets their decay into a Z boson and a third-generation Standard Model quark. In the case of a vectorlike quark T (B) with charge +2/3e (-1/3e), the decay searched for is T -> Zt (B -> Zb). Data for this analysis were taken during 2015 and 2016 with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb(-1) of pp collisions at root s = 13 TeV. The final state used is characterized by the presence of b-tagged jets, as well as a Z boson with high transverse momentum, which is reconstructed from a pair of opposite-sign same-flavor leptons. Pair and single production of vectorlike quarks are both taken into account and are each searched for using optimized dileptonic exclusive and trileptonic inclusive event selections. In these selections, the high scalar sum of jet transverse momenta, the presence of high-transverse-momentum large-radius jets, as well as-in the case of the single-production selections-the presence of forward jets are used. No significant excess over the background-only hypothesis is found and exclusion limits at 95% confidence level allow masses of vectorlike quarks of m(T) > 1030 GeV (m(T) > 1210 GeV) and m(B) > 1010 GeV (m(B) > 1140 GeV) in the singlet (doublet) model. In the case of 100% branching ratio for T -> Zt (B -> Zb), the limits are m(T) > 1340 GeV (m(B) > 1220 GeV). Limits at 95% confidence level are also set on the coupling to Standard Model quarks for given vectorlike quark masses.

Abstract: The yields and production rates of the radioisotopes Li-9 and He-8 created by cosmic muon spallation on C-12, have been measured by the two detectors of the Double Chooz experiment. The identical detectors are located at separate sites and depths, which means that they are subject to different muon spectra. The near (far) detector has an overburden of approximate to 120 m.w.e. (approximate to 300 m.w.e.) corresponding to a mean muon energy of 32.1 +/- 2.0 GeV (63.7 +/- 5.5 GeV). Comparing the data to a detailed simulation of the Li-9 and He-8 decays, the contribution of the He-8 radioisotope at both detectors is found to be compatible with zero. The observed Li-9 yields in the near and far detectors are 5.51 +/- 0.51 and 7.90 +/- 0.51, respectively, in units of 10(-8-1)g(-1)cm(2). The shallow overburdens of the near and far detectors give a unique insight when combined with measurements by KamLAND and Borexino to give the first multi-experiment, data driven relationship between the Li-9 yield and the mean muon energy according to the power law and Y-0 = (0.43 +/- 0.11) x 10(-8-1)g(-1)cm(2). This relationship gives future liquid scintillator based experiments the ability to predict their cosmogenic Li-9 background rates.

Abstract: In this paper, a follow-up of [S. C. Chulia, R. Srivastava, and J. W. F. Valle, Phys. Lett. B 781, 122 (2018)], we describe the many pathways to generate Dirac neutrino mass through dimension-six operators. By using only the standard model Higgs doublet in the external legs, one gets a unique operator 1/Lambda(2) (L) over bar (Phi) over bar (Phi) over bar Phi nu(R). In contrast, the presence of new scalars implies new possible field contractions, which greatly increase the number of possibilities. Here, we study in detail the simplest ones, involving SU(2)(L) singlets, doublets, and triplets. The extra symmetries needed to ensure the Dirac nature of neutrinos can also be responsible for stabilizing dark matter.

Abstract: The focus of this paper lies on the possible experimental tests of leptogenesis scenarios. We consider both leptogenesis generated from oscillations, as well as leptogenesis from out-of-equilibrium decays. As the Akhmedov-Rubakov-Smirnov (ARS) mechanism allows for heavy neutrinos in the GeV range, this opens up a plethora of possible experimental tests, e.g. at neutrino oscillation experiments, neutrinoless double beta decay, and direct searches for neutral heavy leptons at future facilities. In contrast, testing leptogenesis from out-of-equilibrium decays is a quite difficult task. We comment on the necessary conditions for having successful leptogenesis at the TeV-scale. We further discuss possible realizations and their model specific testability in extended seesaw models, models with extended gauge sectors, and supersymmetric leptogenesis. Not being able to test high-scale leptogenesis directly, we present a way to falsify such scenarios by focusing on their washout processes. This is discussed specifically for the left-right symmetric model and the observation of a heavy W-R, as well as model independently when measuring Delta L = 2 washout processes at the LHC or neutrinoless double beta decay.

Abstract: This work is a brief presentation of the theory based on the SU(3)(c) circle times SU(3)(L) circle times U(1)(X) gauge group in the presence of heavy leptons. Recent studies [1] have considered a set of four possible variants for the 3-3-1HL, whose content arises according to the so-denoted variable beta. Since it has been argued about the presence of stable charged particles in this sort of model, we divide the different sectors of the Lagrangian between universal and specific vertices, and conclude that the omission of beta-dependent terms in the potential may induce discrete symmetry for the versions defined by vertical bar beta vertical bar = root 3 . In the context of vertical bar beta vertical bar = 1/root 3, where the new degrees of freedom have the same standard electric charges, additional Yukawa interactions may create decay channels into the SM sector. Furthermore, motivated by a general consequence of the Goldstone theorem, a method of diagonalization by parts is introduced in the Scalar sector and provides a clarification on the definition of mass eigenstates. In summary, we develop the most complete set of terms allowed by the symmetry group and resolve their definitive pieces in order to justify the model description present in the literature.