Search

One of the portals to new physics is a light scalar coupled to the Standard Model (SM) Higgs. In this paper we focus on hadronic decays of such a scalar in the regime where QCD dynamics is nonperturbative, resulting, e.g., in decays to pairs of pions or kaons, while also allowing for scalar couplings to the SM fermions to deviate from the Higgs-mixed light scalar limit. Representations of the corresponding form factors can be obtained using dispersive techniques, however, several sources of uncertainty affect the final results. We reexamine these decays, paying special attention to the quantification of uncertainties. For the light Higgs-mixed scalar scenario, we compare our results with previous works. For a general set of couplings of the light scalar to Standard Model fields, we provide a public code, {\tt hipsofcobra}, to compute the decay widths., Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures

The present report of the RF2 Topical Group to Snowmass 2021 describes the physics case for the studies of weak decays of strange and light quarks. Ongoing and proposed precision measurements of kaon, hyperon, pion and $\eta^{(\prime)}$ meson decays allow for unique tests of the Standard Model (SM). This includes precision measurements of the elements of the CKM quark-mixing matrix leading to stringent unitarity tests; precision symmetry tests including lepton flavor and lepton number conservation; and precision lepton flavor universality tests. In the context of models beyond the SM description, strange and light quark decay experiments provide sensitivity to new physics up to the PeV mass scale, as well as leading sensitivities to scenarios involving feebly interacting hidden sectors below the GeV mass scale., Comment: Report of the RF2 Topical Group to Snowmass 2021

We highlight the need for the development of comprehensive amplitude analysis methods to further our understanding of hadron spectroscopy. Reaction amplitudes constrained by first principles of $S$-matrix theory and by QCD phenomenology are needed to extract robust interpretations of the data from experiments and from lattice calculations., Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures. Contribution to Snowmass 2021

The last two decades have witnessed the discovery of a myriad of new and unexpected hadrons. The future holds more surprises for us, thanks to new-generation experiments. Understanding the signals and determining the properties of the states requires a parallel theoretical effort. To make full use of available and forthcoming data, a careful amplitude modeling is required, together with a sound treatment of the statistical uncertainties, and a systematic survey of the model dependencies. We review the contributions made by the Joint Physics Analysis Center to the field of hadron spectroscopy., Comment: 98 pages, 58 figures. To appear in Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics

We study the transition widths of $\Upsilon(10753)$ and $\Upsilon(11020)$ into standard bottomonium under the hypothesis that they correspond to the two lowest laying $1^{--}$ hybrid bottomonium states. We employ weakly coupled potential NRQCD an effective filed theory incorporating the heavy quark and multipole expansions. We consider the transitions generated by the leading order and next-to-leading order singlet-octet operators. In the multipole expansion the heavy quark matrix elements factorize from the production of light-quark mesons by gluonic operators. For the leading order operator we compute the widths with a single $\pi^0$, $\eta$ or $\eta'$ in the final state and for the next-to-leading operator for $\pi^+\pi^-$ or $K^+K^-$. The hadronization of the gluonic operators is obtained, in the first case, from the axial anomaly and a standard $\pi^0-\eta-\eta'$ mixing scheme and, in the second case, we employ a coupled-channel dispersive representation matched to chiral perturbation theory for both the $S$ and $D$ wave pieces of the gluonic operator. We compare with experimental values and semi-inclusive widths. Our results strongly suggest that $\Upsilon(11020)$ is indeed a hybrid bottomonium state., Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures, Journal version

Decays of the neutral and long-lived $\eta$ and $\eta'$ mesons provide a unique, flavor-conserving laboratory to test low-energy Quantum Chromodynamics and search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. They have drawn world-wide attention in recent years and have inspired broad experimental programs in different high-intensity-frontier centers. New experimental data will offer critical inputs to precisely determine the light quark mass ratios, $\eta$-$\eta'$ mixing parameters, and hadronic contributions to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. At the same time, it will provide a sensitive probe to test potential new physics. This includes searches for hidden photons, light Higgs scalars, and axion-like particles that are complementary to worldwide efforts to detect new light particles below the GeV mass scale, as well as tests of discrete symmetry violation. In this review, we give an update on theoretical developments, discuss the experimental opportunities, and identify future research needed in this field., Comment: 124 pages, 43 figures, 12 tables; v2: sections 6.10 and 10.4 added, references updated, version published in Phys. Rept

We present in a full analytic form the partial widths for the lepton flavour violating decays $\mu^\pm \to e^\pm e^+ e^-$ and $\tau^\pm \to \ell^\pm \ell'^{+} \ell'^{-}$, with $\ell,\ell'=\mu,e$, mediated by neutrino oscillations in the one-loop diagrams. Compared to the first result by Petcov in [1], obtained in the zero momentum limit $\mathcal{P}\ll m_{\nu} \ll M_W$, we retain full dependence on $\mathcal{P}$, the momenta and masses of external particles, and we determine the branching ratios in the physical limit $m_\nu \ll \mathcal{P} \ll M_W$. We show that the claim presented in [2] that the $\tau \to \ell \ell' \ell'$ branching ratios could be as large as $10^{-14}$, as a consequence of keeping the $\mathcal{P}$ dependence, is flawed. We find rates of order $10^{-55}$, even smaller than those obtained in the zero momentum limit, as the latter prediction contains an unphysical logarithmic enhancement., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. v2 version published in EPJC, minor changes

We point out that testing the equality of the Cabibbo angle as extracted from $\Gamma(K\rightarrow \pi l\nu)$, the ratio $\Gamma(K\rightarrow l\nu)/\Gamma(\pi\rightarrow l\nu)$ and nuclear $\beta$ decays is not identical to a test of first row unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix. The reason is that a CKM unitarity test involves only two parameters, while the degrees of freedom for the assessment of the goodness-of-fit of the universality of the Cabibbo angle entailed by the Standard Model (SM) is equal to the number of measurements minus one. Beyond the SM all different processes could in principle give different Cabibbo angles. Consequently, the difference between the two tests becomes relevant starting from three observables giving results for the Cabibbo angle that are in tension with each other. With current data, depending on the treatment of the nuclear $\beta$ decays, we find that New Physics is favored over the SM at $5.1\,\sigma$ or $3.6\,\sigma$ while CKM unitarity is rejected at $4.8\sigma$ or $3.0\sigma$, respectively. We argue that the best method to test the SM is to test the equality of the Cabibbo angle, because CKM unitarity is only one aspect of the SM., Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure. Matches published version

The dispersive analysis of the decay $\eta\to3\pi$ is reviewed and thoroughly updated with the aim of determining the quark mass ratio ~$Q^2=(m_s^2-m_{ud}^2)/(m_d^2-m_u^2)$. With the number of subtractions we are using, the effects generated by the final state interaction are dominated by low energy $\pi\pi$ scattering. Since the corresponding phase shifts are now accurately known, causality and unitarity determine the decay amplitude within small uncertainties -- except for the values of the subtraction constants. Our determination of these constants relies on the Dalitz plot distribution of the charged channel, which is now measured with good accuracy. The theoretical constraints that follow from the fact that the particles involved in the transition represent Nambu-Goldstone bosons of a hidden approximate symmetry play an equally important role. The ensuing predictions for the Dalitz plot distribution of the neutral channel and for the branching ratio $\Gamma_{\eta\to3\pi^0}/ \Gamma_{\eta\to\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0}$ are in very good agreement with experiment. Relying on a known low-energy theorem that relates the meson masses to the masses of the three lightest quarks, our analysis leads to $Q=22.1(7)$, where the error covers all of the uncertainties encountered in the course of the calculation: experimental uncertainties in decay rates and Dalitz plot distributions, noise in the input used for the phase shifts, as well as theoretical uncertainties in the constraints imposed by chiral symmetry and in the evaluation of isospin breaking effects. Our result indicates that the current algebra formulae for the meson masses only receive small corrections from higher orders of the chiral expansion, but not all of the recent lattice results are consistent with this conclusion., Comment: 65 pages, 25 figures, version to appear on EPJC

We study the hadronic $\eta^{\prime}\to\eta\pi\pi$ decays within the framework of $U(3)_{L}\otimes U(3)_{R}$ Chiral Perturbation Theory including resonance states and the complete one-loop corrections. The amplitude is projected in partial waves and unitarized by means of the $N/D$ method resumming both the important $S$-and $D$-wave $\pi\pi$ and the subleading $S$-wave $\pi\eta$ final-state interactions. The participating scalar multiplet mass and coupling strengths are determined from fits to the Dalitz plot experimental data recently released by the A2 collaboration. As a byproduct of our analysis, the associated Dalitz-plot slope parameters are found to be $a=-0.072(7)_{\rm{stat}}(8)_{\rm{syst}}\,, b=-0.052(1)_{\rm{stat}}(2)_{\rm{syst}}\,, d=-0.051(8)_{\rm{stat}}(6)_{\rm{syst}}$, which lie in the ballpark of the current experimental and theoretical determinations., Comment: 45 pages, 12 figures

Hadronic tau decays belong to the processes that show a resonance-like structure in the axial vector current in the $1-2$ GeV range. This structure, often denoted as the $a_1$ meson, seems to show different properties in different processes. The process $\tau\rightarrow 3\pi\nu_{\tau}$ allows for a clean separation of weak and strong effects and a clear production mechanism. We examine how this structure can be related to interactions between the three pions that emerge in the final state. In particular we start from the interactions between all two body combinations.

The $\eta \to 3 \pi$ amplitude is sensitive to the quark mass difference $m_u-m_d$ and offers a unique way to determine the quark mass ratio $Q^2 \equiv (m_s^2-m_{ud}^2)/(m_d^2-m_u^2)$ from experiment. We calculate the amplitude dispersively and fit the KLOE data on the charged mode, varying the subtraction constants in the range allowed by chiral perturbation theory. The parameter-free predictions obtained for the neutral Dalitz plot and the neutral-to-charged branching ratio are in excellent agreement with experiment. Our representation of the transition amplitude implies $Q = 22.0 \pm 0.7$., Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, v2 = published version. Slightly shorter and with minor changes

$K_{\ell4}$ decays offer several reasons of interest: they allow an accurate measurement of $\pi\pi$-scattering lengths; they provide the best source for the determination of some low-energy constants of ChPT; one form factor is directly related to the chiral anomaly, which can be measured here. We present a dispersive treatment of $K_{\ell4}$ decays that provides a resummation of $\pi\pi$- and $K\pi$-rescattering effects. The free parameters of the dispersion relation are fitted to the data of the high-statistics experiments E865 and NA48/2. The matching to ChPT at NLO and NNLO enables us to determine the LECs $L_1^r$, $L_2^r$ and $L_3^r$. With recently published data from NA48/2, the LEC $L_9^r$ can be determined as well. In contrast to a pure chiral treatment, the dispersion relation describes the observed curvature of one of the form factors, which we understand as a rescattering effect beyond NNLO., Comment: 86 pages, 21 figures. Draws on and extends arXiv:1412.5171 [hep-ph] and arXiv:1209.0755 [hep-ph]

The possibility to discriminate between different operators contributing to lepton flavour violating tau decays is discussed within an effective field theory framework. Correlations among decay rates in different channels as well as differential distributions in many-body decays are considered. Recent developments in the determination of the hadronic form factors for $\tau \rightarrow \ell \pi \pi$ ($\ell = e, \mu$) decays are incorporated in the analysis. The above issues are exemplified by considering a Higgs-like boson with lepton flavour violating couplings. Implications of the search for lepton flavour violating Higgs decays performed recently by the CMS collaboration are also discussed., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures and 1 table. Contribution to the Proceedings of the ICHEP 2014 Conference

Within an effective field theory framework, we discuss the possibility to discriminate among different operators that contribute to lepton flavor violating (LFV) tau decays. Correlations among decay rates in different channels are shown to provide a basic handle to unravel the origin of LFV in these processes. More information about the underlying dynamics responsible for LFV can be gathered from differential distributions in three-body decays like tau -> mu pi pi or tau -> 3 mu: these are considered in some detail. We incorporate in our analysis recent developments in the determination of the hadronic form factors for tau -> mu pi pi. Future prospects for the observation of LFV tau decays and its interpretation are also discussed., Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables

It has been pointed out recently that current low-energy constraints still allow for sizable flavor-changing decay rates of the 125 GeV boson into leptons, h -> tau ell (ell= e, mu). In this work we discuss the role of hadronic tau-lepton decays in probing lepton flavor violating couplings in the Higgs sector. At low energy, the effective Higgs coupling to gluons induced by heavy quarks contributes to hadronic tau decays, establishing a direct connection with the relevant process at the LHC, pp (gg)-> h -> tau ell. Semileptonic transitions like tau -> ell pi pi are sensitive to flavor-changing scalar couplings while decays such as tau -> ell eta(') probe pseudoscalar couplings, thus providing a useful low-energy handle to disentangle possible Higgs flavor violating signals at the LHC. As part of our analysis, we provide an appropriate description of all the relevant hadronic matrix elements needed to describe Higgs-mediated tau -> ell pi pi transitions, improving over previous treatments in the literature., Comment: 33 pages, 9 figures, 6 tables

Hadronic tau decays provide several ways to extract the Cabbibo-Kobashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix element V_{us}. The most precise determination involves using inclusive tau decays and requires as input the total branching ratio into strange final states. Recent results from B-factories have led to a discrepancy of about 3.4 sigma from the value of V_{us} implied by CKM unitarity and direct determination from Kaon semi-leptonic modes. In this paper we predict the three leading strange tau branching ratios, using dispersive parameterizations of the hadronic form factors and taking as experimental input the measured Kaon decay rates and the tau -> K pi nu_tau decay spectrum. We then use our results to reevaluate V_{us}, for which we find |V_{us}|=0.2207 \pm 0.0027, in better agreement with CKM unitarity., Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures

$K_{\ell4}$ are for several reasons an especially interesting decay channel of $K$ mesons: $K_{\ell4}$ decays allow an accurate measurement of a combination of $S$-wave $\pi\pi$ scattering lengths, one form factor of the decay is connected to the chiral anomaly and the decay is the best source for the determination of some low energy constants of ChPT. We present a dispersive approach to $K_{\ell4}$ decays, which takes rescattering effects fully into account. Some fits to NA48/2 and E865 measurements and results of the matching to ChPT are shown., Comment: 4 pages, talk given by PS at MESON2012 - 12th International Workshop on Meson Production, Properties and Interaction, Krak\'ow, Poland, 31 May - 5 June 2012

Recently, the tau --> K pi nu_tau decay spectrum has been measured by the Belle and BaBar collaborations. In this work, we present an analysis of such decays introducing a dispersive parametrization for the vector and scalar Kpi form factors. This allows for precise tests of the Standard Model. For instance, the determination of f_+(0)|V_{us}| from these decays is discussed. A comparison and a combination of these results with the analyses of the K_{l3} decays is also considered., Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Talk given at 11th International Workshop on Tau Lepton Physics, Manchester, UK, 13-17 September 2010

We present a brief overview of the recent theoretical progress to describe the K_{l2} and K_{l3} decays. We discuss the interesting probes of the Standard Model offered by these decays such as the extraction of |V_{us}| and the test of the CKM unitarity, the tests of lepton universality, the quark mass ratio determination and the test of the electroweak couplings of the light quarks to the W-boson., Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, Invited talk given at the KAON09 International Conference, June 9-12 2009, Tsukuba, Japan

We perform a chiral extrapolation of lattice data on the scalar K pi form factor and the ratio of the kaon and pion decay constants within Chiral Perturbation Theory to two loops. We determine the value of the scalar form factor at zero momentum transfer, at the Callan-Treiman point and at its soft kaon analog as well as its slope. Results are in good agreement with their determination from experiment using the standard couplings of quarks to the W boson. The slope is however rather large. A study of the convergence of the chiral expansion is also performed., Comment: few minor changes

We present a new dispersive analysis of the isospin breaking decay eta --> 3 pi. The resulting representation of the decay amplitude allows us to determine the quark mass double ratio Q and we find as a preliminary result Q = 22.3 +/- 0.4. Finally, we discuss a number of improvements that we intend to implement in the future., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, to be published in the proceedings of 6th International Workshop on Chiral Dynamics, CD09, July 6-10, 2009, Bern, Switzerland

An accurate low-energy dispersive parametrization of the scalar Kpi form factor was constructed some time ago in terms of a single parameter guided by the Callan-Treiman low-energy theorem. A similar twice subtracted dispersive parametrization for the vector Kpi form factor will be investigated here. The robustness of the parametrization of these two form factors will be studied in great detail. In particular the cut-off dependence, the isospin breaking effects and the possible, though not highly probable, presence of zeros in the form factors will be discussed. Interesting constraints in the latter case will be obtained from the soft-kaon analog of the Callan-Treiman theorem and a comparison with the recent tau --> K pi nu_tau data., Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures

We perform a matching of the two loop-chiral perturbation theory representation of the scalar Kpi form factor to a dispersive one. Knowing the value of F_K/F_pi and f_+(0) in the Standard Model (SM) allows to determine two O(p^6) LECs, the slope of the scalar form factor and the deviation of the Callan-Treiman theorem. Going beyond the SM and assuming the knowledge of the slope of the scalar form factor from experiment, the matching allows us to determine the ratio of F_K/F_pi, f_+(0), a certain combination of non-standard couplings, the deviation of the Callan-Treiman theorem and the two O(p^6) LECs., Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, typos corrected, discussion slightly extended, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett. B

The Callan-Treiman low-energy theorem offers an opportunity to test electroweak couplings of light quarks to the gauge boson W. To that aim, we introduce a model-independent and accurate dispersive parametrization of the two K_{l3} form factors. We then discuss three applications to the analysis of K_{e3} and K_{mu3} measurements: the prediction of the ratios Gamma(K_{mu3})/Gamma(K_{e3}), the extraction of |f_+(0)V_{us}| and finally the possible measurement of m_u - m_d induced isospin breaking asymmetry., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Discussion slightly extended in section 2. Talk given at the KAON07 International Conference, May 21-25 2007, Frascati, Italy

The experimental results published by KTeV and the preliminary results from NA48 concerning the slope of the Kpi scalar form factor suggest a significant discrepancy with the prediction of the Callan-Treiman low energy theorem once interpreted within the Standard Model. In this talk, we will show how this discrepancy could be explained as a first evidence of the direct coupling of right-handed quarks to W as suggested by certain type of effective electroweak theories., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Talk given at the 7th International Conference on Hyperons, Charm And Beauty Hadrons (BEACH 2006), 2-8 July 2006, Lancaster, UK

Clean tests of a small admixture of right-handed quark currents directly coupled to the standard W are still lacking. We show that such non-standard couplings can be significantly constrained measuring the value of the scalar Kpi form factor at the Callan-Treiman point to a few percent. A realistic prospect of such a measurement in K^L_{mu3} decay based on an accurate dispersive representation of the scalar form factor is presented. The inadequacy of the currently used linear parametrisation is explained and illustrated using recent KTeV data. We briefly comment on the charged Kaon mode., Comment: 15 pp, 3 eps figs, Comment on the charged Kaon mode and few refs added