B-anomalies from flavorful U(1)$$'$$ extensions, safely

Abstract$$U(1)^\prime $$ U ( 1 ) ′ extensions of the standard model with generation-dependent couplings to quarks and leptons are investigated as an explanation of anomalies in rare B-decays, with an emphasis on stability and predictivity up to the Planck scale. To these ends, we introduce three generations of vector-like standard model singlet fermions, an enlarged, flavorful scalar sector, and, possibly, right-handed neutrinos, all suitably charged under the $$U(1)^\prime $$ U ( 1 ) ′ gauge interaction. We identify several gauge-anomaly free benchmarks consistent with $$B_s$$ B s -mixing constraints, with hints for electron-muon universality violation, and the global $$b \rightarrow s$$ b → s fit. We further investigate the complete two-loop running of gauge, Yukawa and quartic couplings up to the Planck scale to constrain low-energy parameters and enhance the predictive power. A characteristic of models is that the $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ with TeV-ish mass predominantly decays to invisibles, i.e. new fermions or neutrinos. $$Z^\prime $$ Z ′ -production can be studied at a future muon collider. While benchmarks feature predominantly left-handed couplings $$C_9^{\mu }$$ C 9 μ and $$C_{10}^{\mu }$$ C 10 μ , right-handed ones can be accommodated as well.

Light scalars in neutron star mergers

Due to their unique set of multimessenger signals, neutron star mergers have emerged as a novel environment for studies of new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). As a case study, we consider the simplest extension of the SM scalar sector involving a light CP-even scalar singlet S mixing with the SM Higgs boson. These S particles can be produced abundantly in neutron star mergers via the nucleon bremsstrahlung process. We show that the S particles may either be trapped in or stream freely out of the merger remnant, depending on the S mass, its mixing with the SM Higgs boson, and the temperature and baryon density in the merger. In the free-streaming region, the scalar S will provide an extra channel to cool down the merger remnant, with cooling timescales as small as 𝒪(ms). On the other hand, in the trapped region, the Bose gas of S particles could contribute a larger thermal conductivity than the trapped neutrinos in some parts of the parameter space, thus leading to faster thermal equilibration than expected. Therefore, future observations of the early postmerger phase of a neutron star merger could effectively probe a unique range of the S parameter space, largely complementary to the existing and future laboratory and supernova limits. In view of these results, we hope the merger simulation community will be motivated to implement the effects of light CP-even scalars into their simulations in both the free-streaming and trapped regimes.

The THDMa Revisited

The THDMa is a new physics model that extends the scalar sector of the Standard Model by an additional doublet as well as a pseudoscalar singlet and allows for mixing between all possible scalar states. In the gauge-eigenbasis, the additional pseudoscalar serves as a portal to the dark sector, with a priori any dark matter spins states. The option where dark matter is fermionic is currently one of the standard benchmarks for the experimental collaborations, and several searches at the LHC constrain the corresponding parameter space. However, most current studies constrain regions in parameter space by setting all but 2 of the 12 free parameters to fixed values. In this work, we performed a generic scan on this model, allowing all parameters to float. We applied all current theoretical and experimental constraints, including bounds from current searches, recent results from B-physics, in particular Bs→Xsγ, as well as bounds from astroparticle physics. We identify regions in the parameter space which are still allowed after these were applied and which might be interesting for an investigation of current and future collider machines.

Electroweak skyrmions in the HEFT

We study the existence of skyrmions in the presence of all the electroweak degrees of freedom, including a dynamical Higgs boson, with the electroweak symmetry being non-linearly realized in the scalar sector. For this, we use the formulation of the Higgs Effective Field Theory (HEFT). In contrast with the linear realization, a well-defined winding number exists in HEFT for all scalar field configurations. We classify the effective operators that can potentially stabilize the skyrmions and numerically find the region in parameter spaces that support them. We do so by minimizing the static energy functional using neural networks. This method allows us to obtain the minimal-energy path connecting the vacuum to the skyrmion configuration and calculate its mass and radius. Since skyrmions are not expected to be produced at colliders, we explore the experimental and theoretical bounds on the operators that generate them. Finally, we briefly consider the possibility of skyrmions being dark matter candidates.

Off diagonal charged scalar couplings with the Z boson: Zee-type models as an example

Models with scalar doublets and charged scalar singlets have the interesting property that they have couplings between one Z boson and two charged scalars of different masses. This property is often ignored in phenomenological analysis, as it is absent from models with only extra scalar doublets. We explore this issue in detail, considering $$h \rightarrow Z \gamma $$ h → Z γ , $$B \rightarrow X_s \gamma $$ B → X s γ , and the decay of a heavy charged scalar into a lighter one and a Z boson. We propose that the latter be actively searched for at the LHC, using the scalar sector of the Zee-type models as a prototype and proposing benchmark points which obey all current experimental data, and could be within reach of the LHC.

Twin Higgs portal dark matter

Many minimal models of dark matter (DM) or canonical solutions to the hierarchy problem are either excluded or severely constrained by LHC and direct detection null results. In particular, Higgs Portal Dark Matter (HPDM) features a scalar coupling to the Higgs via a quartic interaction, and obtaining the measured relic density via thermal freeze-out gives definite direct detection predictions which are now almost entirely excluded. The Twin Higgs solves the little hierarchy problem without coloured top partners by introducing a twin sector related to the Standard Model (SM) by a discrete symmetry. We generalize HPDM to arbitrary Twin Higgs models and introduce Twin Higgs Portal Dark Matter (THPDM), which features a DM candidate with an SU(4)-invariant quartic coupling to the Twin Higgs scalar sector. Given the size of quadratic corrections to the DM mass, its most motivated scale is near the mass of the radial mode. In that case, DM annihilation proceeds with the full Twin Higgs portal coupling, while direct detection is suppressed by the pNGB nature of the 125 GeV Higgs. For a standard cosmological history, this results in a predicted direct detection signal for THPDM that is orders of magnitude below that of HPDM with very little dependence on the precise details of the twin sector, evading current bounds but predicting possible signals at next generation experiments. In many Twin Higgs models, twin radiation contributions to ∆Neff are suppressed by an asymmetric reheating mechanism. We study this by extending the νMTH and X MTH models to include THPDM and compute the viable parameter space according to the latest CMB bounds. The injected entropy dilutes the DM abundance as well, resulting in additional suppression of direct detection below the neutrino floor.

Leaks of CP violation in the real two-Higgs-doublet model

We discuss the $$Z_2$$ Z 2 symmetric two-Higgs-doublet model with a real soft-breaking term (real 2HDM). We explain in detail why it is not tenable to assume CP conservation in the scalar sector to keep the dimension two term real, while CP is violated by the dimension four Yukawa couplings. We propose the calculation of the infinite tadpole of the (would-be) pseudoscalar neutral scalar. We construct a simple toy model with the same flaws, where the unrenormalizable infinity is easier to calculate. We then consider the same tadpole in the real 2HDM. We spearhead this effort focusing on diagrams involving solely bare quantities. This involves hundreds of Feynman three-loop diagrams that could feed the CP violation from the quark into the scalar sector, and is only possible with state of the art automatic computation tools. Remarkably, some intermediate results agree when using three independent derivations, including the peculiar cancellation of the leading pole divergence due to a subtle interplay between masses and the Jarlskog invariant, which we calculate analytically. The calculation is not complete however, since the full two-loop renormalization of the real 2HDM is not yet available in the literature. Still, we argue convincingly that there is an irremovable infinity.

Primordial non-Gaussianity in supersolid inflation

We study primordial non-gaussianity in supersolid inflation. The dynamics of supersolid is formulated in terms of an effective field theory based on four scalar fields with a shift symmetric action minimally coupled with gravity. In the scalar sector, there are two phonon-like excitations with a kinetic mixing stemming from the completely spontaneous breaking of diffeomorphism. In a squeezed configuration, fNL of scalar perturbations is angle dependent and not proportional to slow-roll parameters showing a blunt violation of the Maldacena consistency relation. Contrary to solid inflation, the violation persists even after an angular average and generically the amount of non-gaussianity is significant. During inflation, non-gaussianity in the TSS and TTS sector is enhanced in the same region of the parameters space where the secondary production of gravitational waves is sizeable enough to enter in the sensitivity region of LISA, while the scalar fNL is still within the current experimental limits.

Renormalization of the C2HDM with FeynMaster 2

We present the one-loop electroweak renormalization of the CP-violating 2-Higgs-Doublet Model with softly broken ℤ2 symmetry (C2HDM). The existence of CP violation in the scalar sector of the model leads to a quite unique process of renormalization, since it requires the introduction of several non-physical parameters. The C2HDM will thus have more independent counterterms than independent renormalized parameters. As a consequence, different combinations of counterterms can be taken as independent for the same set of independent renormalized parameters. We compare the behaviour of selected combinations in specific NLO processes, which are assured to be gauge independent via a simple prescription. FeynMaster 2 is used to derive the Feynman rules, counterterms and one-loop processes in a simultaneously automatic and flexible way. This illustrates its use as an ideal tool to renormalize models such as the C2HDM and investigate them at NLO.