Abstract: Weak pion production off the nucleon at low energies has been systematically investigated in manifestly relativistic baryon chiral perturbation theory with explicit inclusion of the Delta(1232) resonance. Most of the involved low-energy constants have been previously determined in other processes such as pion-nucleon elastic scattering and electromagnetic pion production off the nucleon. For numerical estimates, the few remaining constants are set to be of natural size. As a result, the total cross sections for single pion production on neutrons and protons, induced either by neutrino or antineutrino, are predicted. Our results are consistent with the scarce existing experimental data except in the nu(mu)n -> mu(-)n pi(+) channel, where higher-order contributions might still be significant. The Delta resonance mechanisms lead to sizeable contributions in all channels, especially in nu(mu)p -> mu(-) p pi(+), even though the considered energies are close to the production threshold. The present study provides a well-founded low-energy benchmark for phenomenological models aimed at the description of weak pion production processes in the broad kinematic range of interest for current and future neutrino-oscillation experiments.

Abstract: We have performed a calculation of the D (D) over bar, D (D) over bar*, D*(D) over bar, D*(D) over bar* components in the wave function of the psi(3770). For this we make use of the P-3(0) model to find the coupling of psi(3770) to these components, that with an elaborate angular momentum algebra can be obtained with only one parameter. Then we use data for the e(+)e(-) -> D (D) over bar reaction, from where we determine a form factor needed in the theoretical framework, as well as other parameters needed to evaluate the meson-meson self-energy of the psi(3770). Once this is done we determine the Z probability to still have a vector core and the probability to have the different meson components. We find Z about 80%-85%, and the individual meson-meson components are rather small, providing new empirical information to support the largely q (q) over bar component of vector mesons, and the psi(3770) in particular. A discussion is done of the meaning of the terms obtained for the case of the open channels where the concept of probability cannot be strictly used.

Abstract: Dark matter and neutrinos provide the two most compelling pieces of evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics, but they are often treated as two different sectors. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there are viable particle physics frameworks in which dark matter can be coupled to active neutrinos. We use a simplified model approach to determine all possible scenarios where there is such a coupling and study their astrophysical and cosmological signatures. We find that dark matter-neutrino interactions have an impact on structure formation and lead to indirect detection signatures when the coupling between dark matter and neutrinos is sufficiently large. This can be used to exclude a large fraction of the parameter space. In most cases, dark matter masses up to a few MeV and mediator masses up to a few GcV are ruled out. The exclusion region can be further extended when dark matter is coupled to a spin-1 mediator or when the dark matter particle and the mediator are degenerate in mass if the mediator is a spin-0 or spin-1/2 particle.

Abstract: Current LHC searches for nonsupersymmetric singly charged scalars, based on two-Higgs-doublet models, in general, focus the analysis in third-generation fermions in the final state. However, singly charged scalars in alternative extensions of the scalar sector involve Yukawa couplings not proportional to the mass of the fermions. Assuming the scalar decays into electrons and muons, it can manifest cleaner experimental signatures. In this paper, we suggest that a singly charged scalar singlet, with electroweak production, can start to be probed in the near future with dedicated search strategies. Depending on the strength of the Yukawa couplings, two independent scenarios arc considered: direct pair production (small couplings) and single production via a virtual neutrino exchange (large couplings). We show that, up to a mass as large as 500 GeV, most of the parameter space could be excluded at the 95% C.L. in a high-luminosity phase of the LHC. Our results also apply to other frameworks, provided the singly charged scalar exhibits similar production patterns and dominant decay modes.

Abstract: We discuss lepton number violation in three units. From an effective field theory point of view, Delta L = 3 processes can only arise from dimension 9 or higher operators. These operators also violate baryon number, hence many of them will induce proton decay. Given the high dimensionality of these operators, in order to have a proton half-life in the observable range, the new physics associated to Delta L = 3 processes should be at a scale as low as 1 TeV. This opens up the possibility of searching for such processes not only in proton decay experiments but also at the LHC. In this work we analyze the relevant d = 9, 11, 13 operators which violate lepton number in three units. We then construct one simple concrete model with interesting low- and high-energy phenomenology.