Abstract: A vector portal between the Standard Model and the dark sector is a predictive and compelling framework for thermal dark matter. Through co-annihilations, models of inelastic dark matter (iDM) and inelastic Dirac dark matter (i2DM) can reproduce the observed relic density in the MeV to GeV mass range without violating cosmological limits. In these scenarios, the vector mediator behaves like a semi-visible particle, evading traditional bounds on visible or invisible resonances, and uncovering new parameter space to explain the muon (g – 2) anomaly. By means of a more inclusive signal definition at the NA64 experiment, we place new constraints on iDM and i2DM using a missing energy technique. With a recast-based analysis, we contextualize the NA64 exclusion limits in parameter space and estimate the reach of the newly collected and expected future NA64 data. Our results motivate the development of an optimized search program for semi-visible particles, in which fixed target experiments like NA64 provide a powerful probe in the sub-GeV mass range.

Abstract: We have studied the contribution of the state X(3930), coming from the interaction of the D ($) over bar and D-s(+) D ($) over bar (s) channels, to the B- -> K- J/psi omega decay. The purpose of this work is to offer a complementary tool to see if the X(3930) state observed in the D+ D- channel is the same or not as the X(3960) resonance claimed by the LHCb Collaboration from a peak in the D-s(+) D s mass distribution around threshold. We present results for what we expect in the J/psi omega mass distribution in the B- -> K- J/psi omega decay and conclude that a clear signal should be seen around 3930 MeV. At the same time, finding no extra resonance signal at 3960 MeV would be a clear indication that there is not a new state at 3960 MeV, supporting the hypothesis that the near-threshold peaking structure peak in the D-s(+) D-s(-) mass distribution is only a manifestation of a resonance below threshold.

Abstract: The correlation functions of Yang-Mills theories formulated in the background field method satisfy linear Slavnov-Taylor identities, which are naive generalizations of simple tree level relations, with no deformations originating from the ghost-sector of the theory. In recent years, a stronger version of these identities has been found to hold at the level of the background gluon self-energy, whose transversality is enforced separately for each special block of diagrams contributing to the gluon Schwinger-Dyson equation. In the present work we demonstrate by means of explicit calculations that the same distinct realization of the Slavnov-Taylor identity persists in the case of the background three-gluon vertex. The analysis is carried out at the level of the exact Schwinger-Dyson equation for this vertex, with no truncations or simplifying assumptions. The demonstration entails the contraction of individual vertex diagrams by the relevant momentum, which activates Slavnov-Taylor identities of vertices and multi-particle kernels nested inside these graphs; the final result emerges by virtue of a multitude of extensive cancellations, without the need of performing explicit integrations. In addition, we point out that background Ward identities amount to replacing derivatives of propagators by zero-momentum background-gluon insertions, in exact analogy to standard properties of Abelian gauge theories. Finally, certain potential applications of these results are briefly discussed.