Measurement of the Ratio of the B^{0}→D^{*-}τ^{+}ν_{τ} and B^{0}→D^{*-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} Branching Fractions Using Three-Prong τ-Lepton Decays

Tests of Light-Lepton Universality in Angular Asymmetries of B^{0}→D^{*-}ℓν Decays

We present the first comprehensive tests of the universality of the light leptons in the angular distributions of semileptonic B^{0}-meson decays to charged spin-1 charmed mesons. We measure five angular-asymmetry observables as functions of the decay recoil that are sensitive to lepton-universality-violating contributions. We use events where one neutral B is fully reconstructed in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] decays in data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} integrated luminosity from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. We find no significant deviation from the standard model expectations.

Generic Tests of CP Violation in High-p_{T} Multilepton Signals at the LHC and Beyond

We introduce a modification to the standard expression for tree-level CP violation in scattering processes at the LHC, which is important when the initial state is not self-conjugate. Based on that, we propose a generic and model-independent search strategy for probing tree-level CP violation in inclusive multilepton signals. We then use TeV-scale 4-fermion operators of the form tuℓℓ and tcℓℓ with complex Wilson coefficients as an illustrative example and show that it may generate O(10%) CP asymmetries that should be accessible at the LHC with an integrated luminosity of O(1000)  fb^{-1}.

Measurement of the Ratios of Branching Fractions R(D^{*}) and R(D^{0})

The ratios of branching fractions R(D^{*})≡B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) and R(D^{0})≡B(B^{-}→D^{0}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B^{-}→D^{0}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) are measured, assuming isospin symmetry, using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν_{τ}ν[over ¯]_{μ}. The measured values are R(D^{*})=0.281±0.018±0.024 and R(D^{0})=0.441±0.060±0.066, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The correlation between these measurements is ρ=-0.43. The results are consistent with the current average of these quantities and are at a combined 1.9 standard deviations from the predictions based on lepton flavor universality in the standard model.

Test of Light-Lepton Universality in the Rates of Inclusive Semileptonic B-Meson Decays at Belle II

We present the first measurement of the ratio of branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic B-meson decays, R(X_{e/μ})=B(B→Xeν)/B(B→Xμν), a precision test of electron-muon universality, using data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. In events where the partner B meson is fully reconstructed, we use fits to the lepton momentum spectra above 1.3  GeV/c to obtain R(X_{e/μ})=1.007±0.009(stat)±0.019(syst), which is the most precise lepton-universality test of its kind and agrees with the standard-model expectation.

Anomalies in the heavy sector

Heavy flavour physics is well described by the Standard Model with the exception of some measurements which could be signalling new physics. We briefly review status and prospects of R(K) and R(D(*)) anomalies and also address the issue of the long standing tension in the |Vcb| and |Vub| exclusive /inclusive determinations.

B Discrepancies Hold Their Ground

This write-up aims at a comprehensive discussion of the status of the so-called B-anomalies, as well as their interpretation from an effective-theory point of view. The focus is on presenting facts and physics arguments using the bare minimum of equations and pointing instead to the relevant literature in each specific case.

Measurements of the Branching Fractions of the Semileptonic Decays Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} and the Asymmetry Parameter of Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}

Using data samples of 89.5 and 711  fb^{-1} recorded at energies of sqrt[s]=10.52 and 10.58 GeV, respectively, with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider, we report measurements of branching fractions of semileptonic decays Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} (ℓ=e or μ) and the CP-asymmetry parameter of Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decay. The branching fractions are measured to be B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})=(1.31±0.04±0.07±0.38)% and B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(1.27±0.06±0.10±0.37)%, and the decay parameter α_{Ξπ} is measured to be 0.63±0.03±0.01 with much improved precision compared with the current world average. The corresponding ratio B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})/B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}) is 1.03±0.05±0.07, which is consistent with the expectation of lepton flavor universality. The first measured asymmetry parameter A_{CP}=(α_{Ξ^{-}π^{+}}+α_{Ξ[over ¯]^{+}π^{-}})/(α_{Ξ^{-}π^{+}}-α_{Ξ[over ¯]^{+}π^{-}})=0.024±0.052±0.014 is found to be consistent with zero. The first and the second uncertainties above are statistical and systematic, respectively, while the third ones arise due to the uncertainty of the Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} branching fraction.

First Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction of Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}

The absolute branching fraction of Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} is reported for the first time based on an e^{+}e^{-} annihilation sample of 10×10^{9}  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at sqrt[s]=3.097  GeV. The branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})=[1.48±0.21(stat)±0.08(syst)]×10^{-4}, which is improved by about 30% in precision over the previous indirect measurements. Combining this result with the world average of B(Λ→pe^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e}), we obtain the ratio {[Γ(Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})]/[Γ(Λ→pe^{-}ν[over ¯]_{e})]} to be 0.178±0.028, which agrees with the standard model prediction assuming lepton flavor universality. The asymmetry of the branching fractions of Λ→pμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ} and Λ[over ¯]→p[over ¯]μ^{+}ν_{μ} is also determined, and no evidence for CP violation is found.

Correlating h→μ^{+}μ^{-} to the Anomalous Magnetic Moment of the Muon via Leptoquarks

Recently, both ATLAS and CMS measured the decay h→μ^{+}μ^{-}, finding a signal strength with respect to the standard model expectation of 1.2±0.6 and 1.19_{-0.39-0.16}^{+0.41+0.17}, respectively. This provides, for the first time, evidence that the standard model Higgs couples to second generation fermions. This measurement is particularly interesting in the context of the intriguing hints for lepton flavor universality violation, accumulated within recent years, as new physics explanations could also be tested in the h→μ^{+}μ^{-} decay mode. Leptoquarks are prime candidates to account for the flavor anomalies. In particular, they can provide the necessary chiral enhancement (by a factor m_{t}/m_{μ}) to address a_{μ} with tera-electron-volt scale new physics. In this Letter we point out that such explanations of a_{μ} also lead to enhanced effects in h→μ^{+}μ^{-} and we examine the correlations between h→μ^{+}μ^{-} and a_{μ} within leptoquark models. We find that the effect in the branching ratio of h→μ^{+}μ^{-} ranges from several percent up to a factor of 3, if one aims at accounting for a_{μ} at the 2σ level. Hence, the new ATLAS and CMS Collaboration measurements already provide important constraints on the parameter space, rule out specific a_{μ} explanations, and will be very important to test the flavor anomalies in the future.

Combined Explanation of the Z→bb[over ¯] Forward-Backward Asymmetry, the Cabibbo Angle Anomaly, and τ→μνν and b→sℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} Data

In this Letter, we propose a simple model that can provide a combined explanation of the Z→bb[over ¯] forward-backward asymmetry, the Cabibbo angle anomaly (CAA), τ→μνν and b→sℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} data. This model is obtained by extending the standard model (SM) by two heavy vectorlike quarks (an SU(2)_{L} doublet (singlet) with hypercharge -5/6 (-1/3), two new scalars (a neutral and a singly charged one), and a gauged L_{μ}-L_{τ} symmetry. The mixing of the new quarks with the SM ones, after electroweak symmetry breaking, does not only explain Z→bb[over ¯] data, but also generates a lepton flavor universal contribution to b→sℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} transitions. Together with the lepton flavor universality violating effect, generated by loop-induced Z^{'} penguins involving the charged scalar and the heavy quarks, it gives an excellent fit to data (6.1σ better than the SM). Furthermore, the charged scalar (neutral vector) gives a necessarily constructive tree-level (loop) effect in μ→eνν (τ→μνν), which can naturally account for the CAA (Br[τ→μνν]/Br[τ→eνν] and Br[τ→μνν]/Br[μ→eνν]).

Precision Measurement of the Ratio B(ϒ(3S)→τ^{+}τ^{-})/B(ϒ(3S)→μ^{+}μ^{-})

We report on a precision measurement of the ratio R_{τμ}^{ϒ(3S)}=B(ϒ(3S)→τ^{+}τ^{-})/B(ϒ(3S)→μ^{+}μ^{-}) using data collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II e^{+}e^{-} collider. The measurement is based on a 28  fb^{-1} data sample collected at a center-of-mass energy of 10.355 GeV corresponding to a sample of 122 million ϒ(3S) mesons. The ratio is measured to be R_{τμ}^{ϒ(3S)}=0.966±0.008_{stat}±0.014_{syst} and is in agreement with the standard model prediction of 0.9948 within 2 standard deviations. The uncertainty in R_{τμ}^{ϒ(3S)} is almost an order of magnitude smaller than the only previous measurement.

Large Long-Distance Contributions to the Electric Dipole Moments of Charged Leptons in the Standard Model

We reevaluate the electric dipole moment (EDM) of charged leptons in the standard model using hadron effective models. We find unexpectedly large EDM generated by the hadron level long-distance effect, d_{e}=5.8×10^{-40}, d_{μ}=1.4×10^{-38}, and d_{τ}=-7.3×10^{-38}  e cm, with an error bar of 70%, exceeding the conventionally known four-loop level elementary contribution by several orders of magnitude.

R(J/ψ) and B_{c}^{-}→J/ψℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{l} Lepton Flavor Universality Violating Observables from Lattice QCD

We use our lattice QCD computation of the B_{c}→J/ψ form factors to determine the differential decay rate for the semitauonic decay channel and construct the ratio of branching fractions R(J/ψ)=B(B_{c}^{-}→J/ψτ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B_{c}^{-}→J/ψμ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}). We find R(J/ψ)=0.2582(38) and give an error budget. We also extend the relevant angular observables, which were recently suggested for the study of lepton flavor universality violating effects in B→D^{*}ℓν, to B_{c}→J/ψℓν and make predictions for their values under different new physics scenarios.

Pharmacological Modulators of Tau Aggregation and Spreading

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the deposition of aggregates composed of abnormal tau protein in the brain. Additionally, misfolded forms of tau can propagate from cell to cell and throughout the brain. This process is thought to lead to the templated misfolding of the native forms of tau, and thereby, to the formation of newer toxic aggregates, thereby propagating the disease. Therefore, modulation of the processes that lead to tau aggregation and spreading is of utmost importance in the fight against tauopathies. In recent years, several molecules have been developed for the modulation of tau aggregation and spreading. In this review, we discuss the processes of tau aggregation and spreading and highlight selected chemicals developed for the modulation of these processes, their usefulness, and putative mechanisms of action. Ultimately, a stronger understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, and the properties of the substances developed to modulate them, will lead to the development of safer and better strategies for the treatment of tauopathies.

Experimental Review on Lepton Universality and Lepton Flavour Violation tests in B decays

Tests of lepton flavour universality in B decays offer an excellent opportunity to test the Standard Model, and show hints of new physics in analyses performed by the LHCb, Belle and BaBar experiments. Several theoretical models proposed to explain possible violation of lepton flavour universality claim a connection with lepton flavour violation in B decays. These proceedings review the experimental status of the tests of lepton flavour universality and the searches of lepton flavour violation in B decays.

Observation of the Leptonic Decay D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ}

We report the first observation of D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} with a significance of 5.1σ. We measure B(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})=(1.20±0.24_{stat}±0.12_{syst})×10^{-3}. Taking the world average B(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(3.74±0.17)×10^{-4}, we obtain R_{τ/μ}=Γ(D^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ})/Γ(D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ})=3.21±0.64_{stat}±0.43_{syst}., which is consistent with the standard model expectation of lepton flavor universality. Using external inputs, our results give values for the D^{+} decay constant f_{D^{+}} and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cd}| that are consistent with, but less precise than, other determinations.

Mono-τ Signatures at the LHC Constrain Explanations of B-decay Anomalies

We investigate the crossing-symmetry relation between b→cτ^{-}ν[over ¯] decay and bc[over ¯]→τ^{-}ν[over ¯] scattering to derive direct correlations of new physics in semitauonic B-meson decays and the mono-tau signature at the LHC (pp→τ_{h}X+MET). Using an exhaustive set of effective operators and heavy mediators we find that the current ATLAS and CMS data constrain scenarios addressing anomalies in B decays. Pure tensor solutions, completed by leptoquark, and right-handed solutions, completed by W_{R}^{'} or leptoquark, are challenged by our analysis. Furthermore, the sensitivity that will be achieved in the high-luminosity phase of the LHC will probe all the possible scenarios that explain the anomalies. Finally, we note that the LHC is also competitive in the b→u transitions and bounds in some cases are currently better than those from B decays.

Observation of the Decay D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}e^{+}e^{-}

We report the observation of the rare charm decay D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}e^{+}e^{-}, based on 468  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at or close to the center-of-mass energy of the ϒ(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. We find the branching fraction in the invariant mass range 0.675<m(e^{+}e^{-})<0.875  GeV/c^{2} of the electron-positron pair to be B(D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}e^{+}e^{-})=(4.0±0.5±0.2±0.1)×10^{-6}, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third due to the uncertainty in the branching fraction of the decay D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}π^{+}π^{-} used as a normalization mode. The significance of the observation corresponds to 9.7 standard deviations including systematic uncertainties. This result is consistent with the recently reported D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}μ^{+}μ^{-} branching fraction, measured in the same invariant mass range, and with the value expected in the standard model. In a set of regions of m(e^{+}e^{-}), where long-distance effects are potentially small, we determine a 90% confidence level upper limit on the branching fraction B(D^{0}→K^{-}π^{+}e^{+}e^{-})<3.1×10^{-6}.

Calorimeter fast simulation based on hit libraries LHCb Gauss framework

In HEP experiments the CPU resources required by Monte Carlo simulations are taking up an ever larger fraction of the total computing power (greater than 75%). At the same time the pace of performance improvements given by technology is slowing down, so the only solution is a more efficient use of resources. In this context we present the ongoing development of a fast simulation of the LHCb calorimeter based on a point library, which has significant advantages in terms of library size and output accuracy compared to the cell hit library. Preliminary performance studies are presented.

Overview of recent LHCb results

A selection of the most recent and relevant measurements by the LHCb experiment is presented. It includes the determination of the CKM angle γ, obtained from a combination of a number of measurements of B meson decays, the measurement of the D0 - D0 mixing parameters and the results of several tests of the lepton-flavour universality of the electroweak couplings.