Abstract: We present a new neutrinoless double beta decay concept: the high pressure selenium hexafluoride gas time projection chamber. A promising new detection technique is outlined which combines techniques pioneered in high pressure xenon gas, such as topological discrimination, with the high Q-value afforded by the double beta decay isotope Se-82. The lack of free electrons in SeF6 mandates the use of an ion TPC. The microphysics of ion production and drift, which have many nuances, are explored. Background estimates are presented, suggesting that such a detector may achieve background indices of better than 1 count per ton per year in the region of interest at the 100 kg scale, and still better at the ton-scale.

Abstract: The ratios of the branching fractions of the decays do Lambda(+)(c) -> , p pi(-)pi(+), Lambda(+->)(c) pK(-)K(+), and Lambda(+)(c) -> p pi K--(+) with respect to the Cabibbo-favoured Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)pi(+) decay are measured using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb experiment at a 7 TeV centre-of-mass energy and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1): B(Lambda(+)(c) -> p pi(-)pi(+))/B(Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)pi(+)) = (7.44 +/- 0.08 +/- 0.18)%. B(Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)K(+))/B(Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)pi(+) = (1.70 +/- 0.03 +/- 0.03)%, B(Lambda(+)(c) -> p pi(-)pi K-+(+))/B(Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)pi(+) = (0.165 +/- 0.015 +/- 0.005)%, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results are the most precise measurements of these quantities to date. When multiplied by the world average value for B(Lambda(+)(c) -> p pi(-)pi(+)), the corresponding branching fractions are B(Lambda(+)(c) -> p pi(-)pi(+) = (4.72 +/- 0.05 +/- 0.11 +/- 0.25) x 10(-3), B(Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)K(+)) = (1.08 +/- 0.02 +/- 0.02 +/- 0.06) x 10(-3), B(Lambda(+)(c) -> , p pi K--(+)) = (1.04 +/- 0.09 +/- 0.03 +/- 0.05) x 10(-4), where the final uncertainty is due to B(Lambda(+)(c) -> pK(-)pi(+)).

Abstract: The framed standard model (FSM), constructed initially for explaining the existence of three fermion generations and the hierarchical mass and mixing patterns of quarks and leptons,(1,2) suggests also a “hidden sector” of particles(3) including some dark matter candidates. It predicts in addition a new vector boson G, with mass of order TeV, which mixes with the gamma and Z of the standard model yielding deviations from the standard mixing scheme, all calculable in terms of a single unknown parameter mG. Given that standard mixing has been tested already to great accuracy by experiment, this could lead to contradictions, but it is shown here that for the three crucial and testable cases so far studied (i) m(Z) – m(W), (ii) Gamma(Z -> l(+)l(-)), (iii) Gamma(Z -> hadrons), the deviations are all within the present stringent experimental bounds provided m(G) > 1 TeV, but should soon be detectable if experimental accuracy improves. This comes about because of some subtle cancellations, which might have a deeper reason that is not yet understood. By virtue of mixing, G can be produced at the LHC and appear as a l(+)l(-) anomaly. If found, it will be of interest not only for its own sake but serve also as a window on to the “hidden sector” into which it will mostly decay, with dark matter candidates as most likely products.

Abstract: Long-lived light particles (LLLPs) appear in many extensions of the standard model. LLLPs are usually motivated by the observed small neutrino masses, by dark matter or both. Typical examples for fermionic LLLPs (a.k.a. heavy neutral fermions, HNFs) are sterile neutrinos or the lightest neutralino in R-parity violating supersymmetry. The high luminosity LHC is expected to deliver up to 3/ab of data. Searches for LLLPs in dedicated experiments at the LHC could then probe the parameter space of LLLP models with unprecedented sensitivity. Here, we compare the prospects of several recent experimental proposals, FASER, CODEX-b and MATHUSLA, to search for HNFs and discuss their relative merits.s

Abstract: An observation of any lepton number violating process will undoubtedly point towards the existence of new physics and indirectly to the clear Majorana nature of the exchanged fermion. In this work, we explore the potential of a minimal extension of the Standard Model via heavy sterile fermions with masses in the [0.1-10] GeV range concerning an extensive array of “neutrinoless” meson and tau decay processes. We assume that the Majorana neutrinos are produced on-shell, and focus on three-body decays. We conduct an update on the bounds on the active-sterile mixing elements, vertical bar U-l alpha 4,U-l beta 4 vertical bar, taking into account the most recent experimental bounds (and constraints) and new theoretical inputs, as well as the effects of a finite detector, imposing that the heavy neutrino decay within the detector. This allows to establish up-to-date comprehensive constraints on the sterile fermion parameter space. Our results suggest that the branching fractions of several decays are close to current sensitivities (likely within reach of future facilities), some being already in conflict with current data (as is the case of K-broken vertical bar -> l(alpha)(broken vertical bar)+l(beta)(+)pi(-), and tau(-)->mu(broken vertical bar)pi(-)pi(-)). We use these processes to extract constraints on all entries of an enlarged definition of a 3 x 3 “effective” Majorana neutrino mass matrix m(v)(alpha beta).