Higgs-mediated B0 --> &mgr;(+)&mgr;(-) in minimal supersymmetry

Flavour-changing neutral currents making and breaking the standard model

The standard model of particle physics is our best description yet of fundamental particles and their interactions, but it is known to be incomplete. As yet undiscovered particles and interactions might exist. One of the most powerful ways to search for new particles is by studying processes known as flavour-changing neutral current decays, whereby a quark changes its flavour without altering its electric charge. One example of such a transition is the decay of a beauty quark into a strange quark. Here we review some intriguing anomalies in these decays, which have revealed potential cracks in the standard model-hinting at the existence of new phenomena.

Measurement of the B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} Branching Fraction and Effective Lifetime and Search for B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} Decays

A search for the rare decays B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} and B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} is performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in pp collisions corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 4.4  fb^{-1}. An excess of B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} decays is observed with a significance of 7.8 standard deviations, representing the first observation of this decay in a single experiment. The branching fraction is measured to be B(B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})=(3.0±0.6_{-0.2}^{+0.3})×10^{-9}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The first measurement of the B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} effective lifetime, τ(B_{s}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})=2.04±0.44±0.05  ps, is reported. No significant excess of B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} decays is found, and a 95% confidence level upper limit, B(B^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<3.4×10^{-10}, is determined. All results are in agreement with the standard model expectations.

Study of the rare decays of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] into muon pairs from data collected during the LHC Run 1 with the ATLAS detector

A study of the decays [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] has been performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 25 fb[Formula: see text] of 7 and 8 TeV proton-proton collisions collected with the ATLAS detector during the LHC Run 1. For the [Formula: see text] dimuon decay, an upper limit on the branching fraction is set at [Formula: see text] at 95 % confidence level. For [Formula: see text], the branching fraction [Formula: see text] is measured. The results are consistent with the Standard Model expectation with a p value of 4.8 %, corresponding to 2.0 standard deviations.

Physics at the [Formula: see text] linear collider

A comprehensive review of physics at an [Formula: see text] linear collider in the energy range of [Formula: see text] GeV-3 TeV is presented in view of recent and expected LHC results, experiments from low-energy as well as astroparticle physics. The report focusses in particular on Higgs-boson, top-quark and electroweak precision physics, but also discusses several models of beyond the standard model physics such as supersymmetry, little Higgs models and extra gauge bosons. The connection to cosmology has been analysed as well.

Observation of the rare B(s)(0) →µ+µ− decay from the combined analysis of CMS and LHCb data

The standard model of particle physics describes the fundamental particles and their interactions via the strong, electromagnetic and weak forces. It provides precise predictions for measurable quantities that can be tested experimentally. The probabilities, or branching fractions, of the strange B meson (B(s)(0)) and the B0 meson decaying into two oppositely charged muons (μ+ and μ−) are especially interesting because of their sensitivity to theories that extend the standard model. The standard model predicts that the B(s)(0) →µ+µ− and B(0) →µ+µ− decays are very rare, with about four of the former occurring for every billion mesons produced, and one of the latter occurring for every ten billion B0 mesons. A difference in the observed branching fractions with respect to the predictions of the standard model would provide a direction in which the standard model should be extended. Before the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN started operating, no evidence for either decay mode had been found. Upper limits on the branching fractions were an order of magnitude above the standard model predictions. The CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) and LHCb (Large Hadron Collider beauty) collaborations have performed a joint analysis of the data from proton–proton collisions that they collected in 2011 at a centre-of-mass energy of seven teraelectronvolts and in 2012 at eight teraelectronvolts. Here we report the first observation of the B(s)(0) → µ+µ− decay, with a statistical significance exceeding six standard deviations, and the best measurement so far of its branching fraction. Furthermore, we obtained evidence for the B(0) → µ+µ− decay with a statistical significance of three standard deviations. Both measurements are statistically compatible with standard model predictions and allow stringent constraints to be placed on theories beyond the standard model. The LHC experiments will resume taking data in 2015, recording proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 teraelectronvolts, which will approximately double the production rates of B(s)(0) and B0 mesons and lead to further improvements in the precision of these crucial tests of the standard model.

QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories: challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.

Search for B(s)(0) → μ+ μ- and B(0) → μ+ μ- decays with CDF II

A search has been performed for B(s)(0) → μ+ μ- and B(0) → μ+ μ- decays using 7 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. The observed number of B(0) candidates is consistent with background-only expectations and yields an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(B(0) → μ+ μ-) < 6.0 × 10(-9) at 95% confidence level. We observe an excess of B(s)(0) candidates. The probability that the background processes alone could produce such an excess or larger is 0.27%. The probability that the combination of background and the expected standard model rate of B(s)(0) → μ+ μ- could produce such an excess or larger is 1.9%. These data are used to determine B(B(s)(0)→ μ+ μ-) = (1.8(-0.9) (+1.1)) × 10(-8) and provide an upper limit of B(B(s)(0) → μ+ μ-) < 4.0 × 10(-8) at 95% confidence level.

CP violation in B{s} mixing from heavy Higgs boson exchange

The anomalous dimuon charge asymmetry reported by the D0 Collaboration may be due to the tree-level exchange of some spin-0 particles that mediate CP violation in B{s}-B{s} meson mixing. We show that, for a range of couplings and masses, the heavy neutral states in a two-Higgs doublet model can generate a large charge asymmetry. This range is natural in "uplifted supersymmetry" and may enhance the B{-}→τν and B{s}→μ^{+}μ{-} decay rates. However, we point out that on general grounds the reported central value of the charge asymmetry requires new physics not only in B{s}-B{s} mixing but also in ΔB=1 transitions or in B{d}-B{d} mixing.

Search for Bs0 --> micro+ micro- and B0 --> micro+ micro- decays with 2 fb-1 of pp collisions

We have performed a search for B(s)(0) --> micro(+) micro(-) and B(0) --> micro(+) micro(-) decays in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV using 2 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The observed number of B(s)(0) and B0 candidates is consistent with background expectations. The resulting upper limits on the branching fractions are B(B(s)0) --> micro(+) micro(-)) <5.8 x 10(-8) and B(B(0) --> micro(+) micro(-))<1.8 x 10(-8) at 95% C.L.

Light minimal supersymmetric standard model Higgs boson scenario and its test at hadron colliders

We show that, in the minimal supersymmetric standard model, the possibility for the lightest CP-even Higgs boson to be lighter than Z boson (as low as about 60 GeV) is, contrary to the usual belief, not yet excluded by the CERN LEP2 Higgs search nor any direct searches for supersymmetric particles at high energy colliders. The characteristic of the light Higgs boson scenario (LHS) is that the ZZh coupling and the decay branching ratio Br(h/A-->bb) are simultaneously suppressed as a result of generic supersymmetric loop corrections. Consequently, the W(+/-)H(-/+)h coupling has to be large due to the sum rule of Higgs couplings to weak gauge bosons. We discuss the potential of the Fermilab Tevatron and B factories to test the LHS, and show that the associated neutral and charged Higgs boson production process, pp-->H(+/-)h(A), can completely probe the LHS at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

Search for the rare decay B0-->tau+tau- at BABAR

We present the results of a search for the decay B0-->tau+tau- in a data sample of (232+/-3)x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays using the BABAR detector. Certain extensions of the standard model predict measurable levels of this otherwise rare decay. We reconstruct fully one neutral B meson and seek evidence for the signal decay in the rest of the event. We find no evidence for signal events and obtain Beta(B0->tau+tau-)<4.1x10(-3) at the 90% confidence level.

Search for [corrected] B0(s) --> mu+ mu- and B0(d) [corrected] --> mu + mu- decays in pp collisions with CDF II

We report on a search for B0(s) --> mu+ mu- and B0(d) --> mu + mu- decays in pp collisions at square root(s) = 1.96 TeV using 364 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. After applying all selection requirements, we observe no candidates inside the B0(s) or B0(d) mass windows. The resulting upper limits on the branching fractions are B(B0(s) --> mu+ mu-) < 1.5 x 10(-7) and B(B0(d) --> mu+ mu-) < 3.9 x 10(-8) at 90% confidence level.

Search for the flavor-changing neutral current decay B0s--> mu(+) mu(-) in pp Collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV with the D0 detector

We present the results of a search for the flavor-changing neutral current decay B(0)(s)--> mu(+) mu(-) using a data set with integrated luminosity of 240 pb(-1) of pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV collected with the D0 detector in run II of the Fermilab Tevatron collider. We find the upper limit on the branching fraction to be B(B(0)(s)--> mu(+) mu(-)) < or= 5.0 x 10(-7) at the 95% C.L. assuming no contributions from the decay B(0)(d)--> mu(+) mu(-) in the signal region. This limit is the most stringent upper bound on the branching fraction B(0)(s)--> mu(+) mu(-) to date.

Search for B0s-->micro+micro- and B0d-->micro+micro- decays in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV

We report on a search for B(0)(s)-->micro(+)micro(-) and B(0)(d)-->micro(+)micro(-) decays in pp collisions at square root of s=1.96 TeV using 171 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The decay rates of these rare processes are sensitive to contributions from physics beyond the standard model. One event survives all our selection requirements, consistent with the background expectation. We derive branching ratio limits of B(B(0)(s)-->micro(+)micro(-))<5.8x10(-7) and B(B(0)(d)-->micro(+)micro(-))<1.5x10(-7) at 90% confidence level.

Bd-->phi KS CP asymmetries as an important probe of supersymmetry

The decay B(d)-->phi K(S) is a special probe of physics beyond the standard model (SM), since it has no SM tree level contribution. Motivated by recent data suggesting a deviation from the SM for its time-dependent CP asymmetry, we examine supersymmetric explanations. Chirality preserving contributions are generically small, unless gluino is relatively light. Higgs contributions are also too small to explain a large asymmetry. Chirality flipping LR and RL gluino contributions actually can provide sizable effects without conflict with all related results. We discuss how various insertions can be distinguished, and argue the needed sizes of mass insertions are reasonable.

Implications on supersymmetry-breaking mediation mechanisms from observing Bs-->mu+mu- and the muon g-2

We consider B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-) and the muon (g-2)(mu) in various supersymmetry-breaking mediation mechanisms. If the decay B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-) is observed at Tevatron Run II with a branching ratio larger than approximately 2 x 10(-8), the noscale supergravity (including the gaugino mediation), the gauge mediation scenario with a small number of messenger fields and low messenger scale, and a class of anomaly mediation scenarios will be excluded, even if they can accommodate a large muon (g-2)(mu). On the other hand, the minimal supergravity scenario and similar mechanisms derived from string models can accommodate this observation.

Higgs-mediated tau-->3micro in the supersymmetric seesaw model

Recent observations of neutrino oscillations imply nonzero neutrino masses and lepton flavor violation (LFV), most economically explained by the seesaw mechanism. Within the context of supersymmetry, LFV among the neutrinos can be communicated to the sleptons and from there to the charged leptons. We show that LFV can appear in the couplings of the neutral Higgs bosons, an effect that is strongly enhanced at large tan(beta. We calculate the branching fraction for tau-->3micro and micro-->3e mediated by Higgs and find they can be as large as 10(-7) and 5x10(-14), respectively. These modes, along with tau-->mugamma and mu-->egamma, can provide key insights into the neutrino mass matrix.

Electric dipole moments in the limit of heavy superpartners

Supersymmetric loop corrections induce potentially large CP-violating couplings of the Higgs bosons to nucleons and electrons that do not vanish in the limit of heavy superpartners. The Higgs-mediated CP-odd four-fermion operators are enhanced by tan((3)beta and induce electric dipole moments of heavy atoms which exceed the current experimental bounds for the electroweak scale Higgs masses and tan(beta greater, similar 10. If only the first two sfermion generations are heavy, the Higgs-mediated contributions typically dominate over the Barr-Zee type two-loop diagrams at tan(beta>30.

Predictions for Higgs and supersymmetry spectra from SO(10) Yukawa unification with mu > 0

We use t, b, tau Yukawa unification to constrain supersymmetry parameter space. We find a narrow region survives for mu>0 (suggested by b-->sgamma and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon) with A0 approximately -1.9m(16), m(10) approximately 1.4m(16), m(16) approximately 1200-3000 GeV and muM(1/2) approximately 100-500 GeV. Demanding Yukawa unification thus makes definite predictions for Higgs and sparticle masses.

Correlation of B(s) --> mu(+)mu(-) and (g - 2)(mu) in minimal supergravity

We analyze the decay mode B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-) in minimal supergravity (mSUGRA). We find that the recently measured excess in (g-2)(mu), if interpreted within mSUGRA, is correlated with a substantial enhancement of the branching ratio Beta(B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-)): if (g-2)(mu) exceeds the standard model prediction by 4 x 10(-9), Beta(B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-)) is larger by a factor of 10-100 and within reach of Run-II of the Tevatron. Thus the search for B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-) is a stringent test of the GUT scale relations of mSUGRA. An observation of B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-) at the Tevatron implies a mass of the lightest SUSY Higgs boson below 120 GeV. B(s)-->mu(+)mu(-) can also significantly probe SO(10) SUSY GUT models.

Supersymmetric SO(10) grand unified models with Yukawa unification and a positive mu term

Supersymmetric grand unified models based on SO(10) gauge symmetry have many desirable features, including the unification of Yukawa couplings. Including D-term contributions to scalar masses arising from the breakdown of SO(10), Yukawa coupling unification only to 30% can be achieved in models with a positive superpotential Higgs mass. The superparticle mass spectrum is highly constrained and yields relatively light top squarks and charginos. Surprisingly, the pattern of grand unified theory scale soft supersymmetry breaking masses are close to those found in the context of inverted hierarchy models.