Vicente, A. (2018). Anomalies in b -> s transitions and dark matter. Adv. High. Energy Phys., 2018, 3905848–11pp.
Abstract: Since 2013, the LHCb collaboration has reported on the measurement of several observables associated with b -> s transitions, finding various deviations from their predicted values in the Standard Model. These include a set of deviations in branching ratios and angular observables, as well as in the observables R-k and R-k*, specially built to test the possible violation of Lepton Flavor Universality. Even though these tantalizing hints are not conclusive yet, the b -> s* anomalies have gained considerable attention in the flavor community. Here we review new physics models that address these anomalies and explore their possible connection to the dark matter of the Universe. After discussing some of the ideas introduced in these works and classifying the proposed models, two selected examples are presented in detail in order to illustrate the potential interplay between these two areas of current particle physics.
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Vicente, A. (2019). Higgs Lepton Flavor Violating Decays in Two Higgs Doublet Models. Front. Physics, 7, 174–13pp.
Abstract: The discovery of a non-zero rate for a lepton flavor violating decay mode of the Higgs boson would definitely be an indication of New Physics. We review the prospects for such signal in Two Higgs Doublet Models, in particular for Higgs boson decays into tau μfinal states. We will show that this scenario contains all the necessary ingredients to provide large flavor violating rates and still be compatible with the stringent limits from direct searches and low-energy flavor experiments.
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Verdera, A., Torres-Sanchez, P., Praena, J., & Porras, I. (2024). Study of the out-of-field dose from an accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy. Appl. Radiat. Isot., 212, 111458–6pp.
Abstract: One important issue in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is the delivered dose to the tissues outside the tumor. An international standard for light ion beam systems sets two recommended limits for out-of-field dose based on distance from the field edge: maximum absorbed dose from all radiation types shall not exceed 0.5 % of the maximum dose at distances 15 cm to 50 cm from the field edge. At distances > 50 cm from the field edge, the maximum absorbed dose shall not exceed 0.1 %. This paper is a continuation of our previous works focused on the design of an accelerator-based neutron source for BNCT. We already designed a novel Beam Shape Assembly which meets the IAEA criteria for BNCT treatments. Using this BSA, in the present work, we characterize by Monte Carlo simulations the dose outside the neutron field. The out-of-field dose has been assessed via estimates using the ambient and equivalent dose. Also the boron uptake in healthy tissues has been analyzed for the equivalent dose computation. It is concluded that our design for a future accelerator-based source for BNCT meets reasonably well the criteria defined from other forms of radiotherapy on both equivalent and effective dose outside the field.
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Vento, V., & Traini, M. (2020). Scattering of charged particles off monopole-anti-monopole pairs. Eur. Phys. J. C, 80(1), 62–10pp.
Abstract: The Large Hadron Collider is reaching energies never achieved before allowing the search for exotic particles in the TeV mass range. In a continuing effort to find monopoles we discuss the effect of the magnetic dipole field created by a pair of monopole-anti-monopole or monopolium on the successive bunches of charged particles in the beam at LHC.
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Vento, V. (2017). AdS gravity and the scalar glueball spectrum. Eur. Phys. J. A, 53(9), 185–4pp.
Abstract: The scalar glueball spectrum has attracted much attention since the formulation of Quantum Chromodynamics. Different approaches give very different results for the glueball masses. We revisit the problem from the perspective of the AdS/CFT correspondence.
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Vento, V. (2018). Skyrmions at high density. Phys. Part. Nuclei Lett., 15(4), 367–370.
Abstract: The phase diagram of quantum chromodynamics is conjectured to have a rich structure containing at least three forms of matter: hadronic nuclear matter, quarkyonic matter and quark gluon plasma. We describe its formulation in terms of Skyrme crystals and justify the origin of the quarkyonic phase transition in a chiral-quark model.
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Vento, V. (2018). Ions, Protons, and Photons as Signatures of Monopoles. Universe, 4(11), 117–12pp.
Abstract: Magnetic monopoles have been a subject of interest since Dirac established the relationship between the existence of monopoles and charge quantization. The Dirac quantization condition bestows the monopole with a huge magnetic charge. The aim of this study was to determine whether this huge magnetic charge allows monopoles to be detected by the scattering of charged ions and protons on matter where they might be bound. We also analyze if this charge favors monopolium (monopole-antimonopole) annihilation into many photons over two photon decays.
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Vento, V. (2021). Primordial monopolium as dark matter. Eur. Phys. J. C, 81(3), 229–9pp.
Abstract: The existence of monopoles is a characteristic signature of Kaluza-Klein multidimensional theories. The topology of these solutions is extremely interesting. The existence of a dipole solution, which we have associated to a monopole-anti-monopole bound state, is the leitmotiv of this investigation. The dipole in its lowest energy state, which we here call also monopolium, is electromagnetically inert in free space interacting only gravitationally. Monopolium when interacting with time dependent magnetic fields acquires a time dependent induced magnetic moment and radiates. We have analyzed the most favorable astrophysical scenario for radiative monopolium and found that the amount of radiation is so small that is not detectable by conventional equipments. These findings suggest that Kaluza-Klein monopolium, if existent, would be a candidate for a primordial dark matter constituent.
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Vatsyayan, D., & Goswami, S. (2023). Lowering the scale of fermion triplet leptogenesis with two Higgs doublets. Phys. Rev. D, 107(3), 035014–9pp.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider the possibility of generating the observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe via leptogenesis in the context of a triplet fermion-mediated type-III seesaw model of neutrino mass. With a hierarchical spectrum of the additional fermions, the lower bound on the lightest triplet mass is similar to 1010 GeV for successful leptogenesis, a couple of orders higher than that of the type-I case. We investigate the possibility of lowering this bound in the framework of two-Higgs-doublet models. We find that the bounds can be lowered down to 107 GeV for a hierarchical spectrum. If we include the flavor effects, then a further lowering by one order of magnitude is possible. We also discuss if such lowering can be compatible with the naturalness bounds on the triplet mass.
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Van Isacker, P., Algora, A., Vitéz-Sveiczer, A., Kiss, G. G., Orrigo, S. E. A., Rubio, B., et al. (2023). Gamow-Teller Beta Decay and Pseudo-SU(4) Symmetry. Symmetry-Basel, 15(11), 2001–15pp.
Abstract: We report on recent experimental results on beta decay into self-conjugate ( N = Z) nuclei with mass number 58 <= A <= 70. Super-allowed b decays from the J(pi) = 0(+) ground state of a Z = N + 2 parent nucleus are to the isobaric analogue state through so-called Fermi transitions and to J(pi) = 1(+) states by way of Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions. The operator of the latter decay is a generator of Wigner's SU(4) algebra and as a consequence GT transitions obey selection rules associated with this symmetry. Since SU(4) is progressively broken with increasing A, mainly as a consequence of the spinorbit interaction, this symmetry is not relevant for the nuclei considered here. We argue, however, that the pseudo-spin-orbit splitting can be small in nuclei with 58 <= A <= 70, in which case nuclear states exhibit an approximate pseudo-SU(4) symmetry. To test this conjecture, GT decay strength is calculated with use of a schematic Hamiltonian with pseudo-SU(4) symmetry. Some generic features of the GT beta decay due to pseudo-SU(4) symmetry are pointed out. The experimentally observed GT strength indicates a restoration of pseudo-SU(4) symmetry for A = 70.
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