Search

Journal of high energy physics 02(2), 042 (2022). doi:10.1007/JHEP02(2022)042, The measured branching fractions of B-mesons into leptonic final states derived by the LHCb, Belle and BaBar collaborations hint towards the breakdown of lepton flavour universality. In this work we take at face value the so-called $ {R}_{D^{\left(\ast \right)}} $ observables that are defined as the ratios of neutral B-meson charged-current decays into a D$^{(*)}$-meson, a charged lepton and a neutrino final state in the tau and light lepton channels. A well-studied and simple solution to this charged current anomaly is to introduce a scalar leptoquark S$_{1}$ that couples to the second and third generation of fermions. We investigate how S$_{1}$ can also serve as a mediator between the Standard Model and a dark sector. We study this scenario in detail and estimate the constraints arising from collider searches for leptoquarks, collider searches for missing energy signals, direct detection experiments and the dark matter relic abundance. We stress that the production of a pair of leptoquarks that decays into different final states (i.e. the commonly called ���mixed��� channels) provides critical information for identifying the underlying dynamics, and we exemplify this by studying the t��b�� and the resonant S$_{1}$ plus missing energy channels. We find that direct detection data provides non-negligible constraints on the leptoquark coupling to the dark sector, which in turn affects the relic abundance. We also show that the correct relic abundance can not only arise via standard freeze-out, but also through conversion-driven freeze-out. We illustrate the rich phenomenology of the model with a few selected benchmark points, providing a broad stroke of the interesting connection between lepton flavour universality violation and dark matter., Published by SISSA, [Trieste]

International audience; Indirect detection opens a unique window for probing thermal dark matter (DM): the same annihilation process that determined the relic abundance in the early Universe drives the present day astrophysical signal. While TeV-scale particles weakly coupled to the Standard Model face undoubted challenges from decades of null searches, the scenario remains compelling, and simple realizations such as Higgsino DM remain largely unexplored. The fate of such scenarios could be determined by gamma-ray observations of the centre of the Milky Way with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs). We consider the ultimate sensitivity of current IACTs to a broad range of TeV-scale DM candidates - including specific ones such as the Wino, Higgsino, and Quintuplet. To do so, we use realistic mock H.E.S.S.-like observations of the inner Milky Way halo, and provide a careful assessment of the impact of recent Milky Way mass modeling, instrumental and astrophysical background uncertainties in the Galactic Center region, and the theoretical uncertainty on the predicted signal. We find that the dominant systematic for IACT searches in the inner Galaxy is the unknown distribution of DM in that region, however, beyond this the searches are currently statistically dominated indicating a continued benefit from more observations. For two-body final states at $1~{\rm TeV}$, we find a H.E.S.S.-like observatory is sensitive to $\langle \sigma v \rangle \sim 3 \times 10^{-26}-4 \times 10^{-25}~{\rm cm}^3{\rm s}^{-1}$, except for neutrino final states, although we find results competitive with ANTARES. In addition, the thermal masses for the Wino and Quintuplet can be probed; the Higgsino continues to be out of reach by at least a factor of a few. Our conclusions are also directly relevant to the next generation Cherenkov Telescope Array, which remains well positioned to be the discovery instrument for thermal DM.

The measured branching fractions of $B$-mesons into leptonic final states derived by the LHCb collaboration hint towards the breakdown of lepton flavour universality. In this work we take at face value the so-called $R_{D^{(*)}}$ observables that are defined as the ratios of neutral $B$-meson charged-current decays into a charged $D$-meson, a charged lepton and a neutrino final state in the tau and muon channels. A well-studied and simple solution to this charged current anomaly is to introduce a scalar leptoquark $S_1$ that couples to the second and third generation of fermions. We investigate how $S_1$ can also serve as a mediator between the Standard Model and a dark sector. We study this scenario in detail and estimate the constraints arising from collider searches for leptoquarks, collider searches for missing energy signals, direct detection experiments and the dark matter relic abundance. We stress that the production of a pair of leptoquarks that decays into different final states (i.e. the commonly called "mixed" channels) provides critical information for identifying the underlying dynamics, and we exemplify this by studying the $t \tau b \nu$ and the resonant $S_1$ plus missing energy channels. We find that direct detection data provides non-negligible constraints on the leptoquark coupling to the dark sector, which in turn affects the relic abundance. We also show that the correct relic abundance can not only arise via standard freeze-out, but also through conversion-driven freeze-out. We illustrate the rich phenomenology of the model with a few selected benchmark points, providing a broad stroke of the interesting connection between lepton flavour violation and dark matter., Comment: v2: 60 pages, minor changes, added references. Matches the published version

International audience; We consider Higgsino-like dark matter (DM) in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) with additional right-handed neutrino chiral superfields, and propose a new non-thermal way of generating the right amount of relic DM via sneutrino late decays. Due to the large DM annihilation cross-section, decays must occur at lower temperatures than the freeze-out temperature Td≪TF,χ˜10∼μ/25 , implying a mostly right-handed lightest sneutrino with very small Yukawa interactions. In that context, the right amount of Higgsino-like DM relic density can be accounted for if sneutrinos are produced via thermal freeze-in in the early Universe.

(1978). doi:10.1016/0370-2693(78)90181-8, Annihilation of e + e − into final states with a single electron has been studied with the PLUTO detector at the DORIS storage ring at CMS energies from 3.6 to 5 GeV. In the sample of 4-prong events without any detected photon we observe 21 events which we assign to the reaction e + e − → τ + τ − → νν e + νϱ 0 π . We obtain a branching ratio for τ + → νϱ 0 π + of 0.050 ± 0.015 with an overall systematic uncertainty of 30%. The data are consistent with the ϱπ coming from an A 1 meson.

(1979). doi:10.1007/BF01445408, The contributions from two QED processes,e+e− →μ+μ−γγ ande+e− →μ+μ−, to the heavy lepton signal observed in muon inclusive final states ine+e− annihilation are calculated for the experimental setup of PLUTO in the energy range 4–5 GeV. Some modifications in the usual calculation techniques for QED processes are described. We discuss the observability of the sequential heavy lepton signal at PETRA energies and show which experimental cuts sufficiently damp the background to signal ratio.

21 pp. (1978)., Decays of the heavy lepton τ have now been observed in e+e− ‐ collisions at the energy of the ψ′‐resonace, which results in an improved mass determination Mτ=1.807±0.020 GeV. For the τ‐life‐time a new upper limit of ττ?3.5⋅10−12 sec. is given. The evidence for the decay τ→νπρ has been strengthened, and the πρ‐system is found to be in an S‐wave state with JP=1+, proving the axial vector component in the leptonic coupling of the τ to hadrons. The branching ratio is given with BR(τ−→νπ−ρ0) =0.050±0.015. The total hadronic cross section agrees within errors with the quarksum rule including QCD‐corrections. The production and decay distributions of the decay J/ψ→f0γ have been measured and found to agree well with a QCD calculation based on the exchange of two gluons.

43 pp. (1977).