Celis, A., Jung, M., Li, X. Q., & Pich, A. (2017). Scalar contributions to b -> c(u) tau nu transitions. Phys. Lett. B, 771, 168–179.
Abstract: We perform a comprehensive analysis of scalar contributions in b -> c tau nu transitions including the latest measurements of R(D-(*)), the q(2) differential distributions in B -> D-(*) tau nu the tau polarization asymmetry for B -> D*tau nu, and the bound derived from the total width of the B-c meson. We find that scalar contributions with the simultaneous presence of both left- and right-handed couplings to quarks can explain the available data, specifically R(D-(*)) together with the measured differential distributions. However, the constraints from the total B-c width present a slight tension with the current data on B -> D*tau nu in this scenario, preferring smaller values for R(D*). We discuss possibilities to disentangle scalar new physics from other new-physics scenarios like the presence of only a left-handed vector current, via additional observables in B -> D(*)tau nu decays or additional decay modes like the baryonic Lambda(b) -> Lambda(c)tau nu and the inclusive B -> X-c tau nu decays. We also analyze scalar contributions in b -> u tau nu transitions, including the latest measurements of B -> tau nu providing predictions for Lambda(b) -> p tau nu and B -> pi tau nu decays. The potential complementarity between the b -> u and b -> c sectors is finally investigated once assumptions about the flavour structure of the underlying theory are made.
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ATLAS Collaboration(Aaboud, M. et al), Alvarez Piqueras, D., Barranco Navarro, L., Cabrera Urban, S., Castillo Gimenez, V., Cerda Alberich, L., et al. (2017). Evidence for light-by-light scattering in heavy-ion collisions with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Nat. Phys., 13(9), 852–858.
Abstract: Light-by-light scattering (gamma gamma -> gamma gamma) is a quantum-mechanical process that is forbidden in the classical theory of electrodynamics. This reaction is accessible at the Large Hadron Collider thanks to the large electromagnetic field strengths generated by ultra-relativistic colliding lead ions. Using 480 μb(-1) of lead-lead collision data recorded at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV by the ATLAS detector, here we report evidence for light-by-light scattering. A total of 13 candidate events were observed with an expected background of 2.6 +/- 0.7 events. After background subtraction and analysis corrections, the fiducial cross-section of the process Pb + Pb (gamma gamma) -> Pb-(center dot) + Pb-(center dot) gamma gamma, for photon transverse energy E-T > 3 GeV, photon absolute pseudorapidity vertical bar eta vertical bar < 2.4, diphoton invariant mass greater than 6 GeV, diphoton transverse momentum lower than 2 GeV and diphoton acoplanarity below 0.01, is measured to be 70 +/- 24 (stat.) +/- 17 (syst.) nb, which is in agreement with the standard model predictions.
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Chatterjee, S. S., Pasquini, P., & Valle, J. W. F. (2017). Probing atmospheric mixing and leptonic CP violation in current and future long baseline oscillation experiments. Phys. Lett. B, 771, 524–531.
Abstract: We perform realistic simulations of the current and future long baseline experiments such as T2K, NOvA, DUNE and T2HK in order to determine their ultimate potential in probing neutrino oscillation parameters. We quantify the potential of these experiments to underpin the octant of the atmospheric angle 023 as well as the value and sign of the CP phase delta(CP) We do this both in general, as well as within the predictive framework of a previously proposed [1] benchmark theory of neutrino oscillations which tightly correlates theta(23) and delta(CP).
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Garcia Martin, L. M., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., Ruiz Valls, P., et al. (2017). Observation of the Xi(-)(b) -> J/psi Lambda K- decay. Phys. Lett. B, 772, 265–273.
Abstract: The observation of the decay Xi(-)(b)-> J/psi Lambda K- is reported, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1), collected by the LHCb detector in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The production rate of Xi(-)(b) baryons detected in the decay Xi(-)(b) -> J/psi Lambda K- is measured relative to that of Lambda(0)(b) baryons using the decay Lambda(0)(b) -> J/psi Lambda. Integrated over the b-baryon transverse momentum p(T) < 25 GeV/c and rapidity 2.0 < y < 4.5, the measured ratio is f Xi(-)(b/) f Lambda(0)(b) B(Xi(-)(b)-> J/psi Lambda K-) / B(Lambda(0)(b)-> J/psi Lambda) = (4.19 +/- 0.29 (stat) +/- 0.15 (syst)) x 10(-2), where f(Xi)(b)(-) band f(Lambda)(b)(0)are the fragmentation fractions of b ->Xi(-)(b)and b ->Lambda(0)(b)transitions, and ss represents the branching fraction of the corresponding b- baryon decay. The mass difference between Xi(-)(b) and Lambda(0)(b) baryons is measured to be M(Xi(-)(b))-M(Lambda(0)(b)) = 177.08 +/- 0.47 (stat) +/- 0.16 (syst) MeV/c(2).
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Alves, A., Arcadi, G., Dong, P. V., Duarte, L., Queiroz, F. S., & Valle, J. W. F. (2017). Matter-parity as a residual gauge symmetry: Probing a theory of cosmological dark matter. Phys. Lett. B, 772, 825–831.
Abstract: We discuss a non-supersymmetric scenario which addresses the origin of the matter-parity symmetry, P-M = (-1)(3(B-L)+2s), leading to a viable Dirac fermion dark matter candidate. Implications to electroweak precision, muon anomalous magnetic moment, flavor changing interactions, lepton flavor violation, dark matter and collider physics are discussed in detail. We show that this non-supersymmetric model is capable of generating the matter-parity symmetry in agreement with existing data with gripping implications to particle physics and cosmology.
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Centelles Chulia, S., Srivastava, R., & Valle, J. W. F. (2017). Generalized bottom-tau unification, neutrino oscillations and dark matter: Predictions from a lepton quarticity flavor approach. Phys. Lett. B, 773, 26–33.
Abstract: We propose an A(4) extension of the Standard Model with a Lepton Quarticity symmetry correlating dark matter stability with the Dirac nature of neutrinos. The flavor symmetry predicts (i) a generalized bottom-tau mass relation involving all families, (ii) small neutrino masses are induced a la seesaw, (iii) CP must be significantly violated in neutrino oscillations, (iv) the atmospheric angle theta(23) lies in the second octant, and (v) only the normal neutrino mass ordering is realized.
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ATLAS Collaboration(Aaboud, M. et al), Alvarez Piqueras, D., Barranco Navarro, L., Cabrera Urban, S., Castillo Gimenez, V., Cerda Alberich, L., et al. (2017). Measurement of the W+ W- production cross section in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of root s=13 TeV with the ATLAS experiment. Phys. Lett. B, 773, 354–374.
Abstract: The production of opposite-charge W-boson pairs in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV is measured using data corresponding to 3.16 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in 2015. Candidate W-boson pairs are selected by identifying their leptonic decays into an electron, a muon and neutrinos. Events with reconstructed jets are not included in the candidate event sample. The cross-section measurement is performed in a fiducial phase space close to the experimental acceptance and is compared to theoretical predictions. Agreement is found between the measurement and the most accurate calculations available.
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LUX-ZEPLIN Collaboration(Akerib, D. S. et al), & Bailey, A. J. (2017). Identification of radiopure titanium for the LZ dark matter experiment and future rare event searches. Astropart Phys., 96, 1–10.
Abstract: The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment will search for dark matter particle interactions with a detector containing a total of 10 tonnes of liquid xenon within a double -vessel cryostat. The large mass and proximity of the cryostat to the active detector volume demand the use of material with extremely low intrinsic radioactivity. We report on the radioassay campaign conducted to identify suitable metals, the determination of factors limiting radiopure production, and the selection of titanium for construction of the LZ cryostat and other detector components. This titanium has been measured with activities of U-238(e) < 1.6 mBq/kg, U-238(I) < 0.09 mBq/kg, Th-232(e) = 0.28 +/- 0.03 mBq/kg, Th-232(I) = 0.25 +/- 0.02 mBq/kg, K-40 <0.54 mBq/kg, and (60) Co <0.02 mBq/kg (68% CL). Such low intrinsic activities, which are some of the lowest ever reported for titanium, enable its use for future dark matter and other rare event searches. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to assess the expected background contribution from the LZ cryostat with this radioactivity. In 1,000 days of WIMP search exposure of a 5.6-tonne fiducial mass, the cryostat will contribute only a mean background of 0.160 +/- 0.001(stat) +/- 0.030(sys) counts.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Garcia Martin, L. M., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., Ruiz Valls, P., et al. (2017). Measurement of B-0, B-s(0), B(+)and lambda(0)(b) production asymmetries in 7 and 8 TeV proton-proton collisions. Phys. Lett. B, 774, 139–158.
Abstract: The B-0, B-s(0), B+ and lambda(0)(b) hadron production asymmetries are measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fbc(-1), collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The measurements are performed as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity of the b hadrons within the LHCb detector acceptance. The overall production asymmetries, integrated over transverse momentum and rapidity, are also determined.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Garcia Martin, L. M., Henry, L., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2017). Prompt and nonprompt J/psi production and nuclear modification in pPb collisions at root s(NN)=8.16 TeV. Phys. Lett. B, 774, 159–178.
Abstract: The production of J/psi mesons is studied in proton-lead collisions at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair root s(NN) = 8.16 TeV with the LHCb detector at the LHC. The double differential cross-sections of prompt and nonprompt J/psi production are measured as a function of the J/psi transverse momentum and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass frame. Forward-to-backward ratios and nuclear modification factors are determined. The results are compared with theoretical calculations based on collinear factorisation using nuclear parton distribution functions, on the colour glass condensate or on coherent energy loss models.
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