Search

In this paper, we investigate the discovery prospect of simplified fermionic dark sectors models through Higgs precision measurements at $e^+e^-$ colliders and direct searches at hadron colliders. These models extend the Standard Model with two Majorana or Dirac fermions that are singlets, doublets or triplets under the weak SU(2) group. For all models, we consider two scenarios where the lightest new fermion is either stable, or where it decays into other visible final states. For the Higgs precision observables we primarily focus on $\sigma(e^+e^-\to ZH)$, which can deviate from the Standard Model through one-loop corrections involving the new fermions. Deviations of 0.5\% or more, which could be observable at future $e^+e^-$ colliders, are found for TeV-scale dark sector masses. By combining the constraints from the oblique parameters, $\text{Br}(H\to\gamma\gamma)$, and direct production of the new fermions at the LHC, a comprehensive understanding of the discovery potential of these models can be achieved. In both scenarios, there exist some parameter regions where the Higgs precision measurements can provide complementary information to direct LHC searches., Comment: 28 pages, 15 figures; update: add 2 references and 1 table

Recently, the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) electroweak corrections with fermion loops to the Higgsstrahling process were computed. Here we present numerical results for polarized electron/positron beams, as well as for two input parameter schemes known as the $\alpha(0)$ and $G_\mu$ schemes. The size of the NNLO corrections strongly depends on the beam polarization, leading to an increase of the $ZH$ cross-section by 0.76% for $e^+_{\rm L} e^-_{\rm R}$ beams, and a decrease of 0.04% for $e^+_{\rm R} e^-_{\rm L}$ beams. Furthermore, inclusion of the NNLO corrections is found to significantly reduce the discrepancy between the results in the $\alpha(0)$ and $G_\mu$ schemes. Using the remaining difference, together with other methods, the theory uncertainty from missing bosonic electroweak corrections is estimated to be less than 0.3%., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures and 3 tables

This paper describes a modular framework for the description of electroweak scattering and decay processes, including but not limited to Z-resonance physics. The framework consistently combines a complex-pole expansion near a s-channel resonance with a regular fixed-order perturbative description away from the resonance, in a manifestly gauge-invariant scheme. Leading vertex correction contributions are encapsulated in form factors that can be predicted or treated as numerical fit parameters. This framework has been implemented in the publicly available object-oriented C++ library GRIFFIN. Version 1.0 of this library provides Standard Model predictions for the process $f\bar{f} \to f'\bar{f}'$ with full NNLO and leading higher-order contributions on the Z-resonance, and with NLO corrections off resonance. The library can straightforwardly be extended to include higher-order corrections, should they become available, or predictions for new physics models. It can be interfaced with Monte-Carlo programs to account for QED and QCD initial-state and final-state radiation., Comment: 22 pages; program code is available for download at https://github.com/lisongc/GRIFFIN/releases; v2: some added explanations, version published in SciPost Phys. Codebases

This report, as part of the 2021 Snowmass Process, summarizes the current status of collider physics at the Energy Frontier, the broad and exciting future prospects identified for the Energy Frontier, the challenges and needs of future experiments, and indicates high priority research areas., Comment: 128 pages, 41 figures, 17 tables, contribution to Snowmass 2021

The precise measurement of physics observables and the test of their consistency within the standard model (SM) are an invaluable approach, complemented by direct searches for new particles, to determine the existence of physics beyond the standard model (BSM). Studies of massive electroweak gauge bosons (W and Z bosons) are a promising target for indirect BSM searches, since the interactions of photons and gluons are strongly constrained by the unbroken gauge symmetries. They can be divided into two categories: (a) Fermion scattering processes mediated by s- or t-channel W/Z bosons, also known as electroweak precision measurements; and (b) multi-boson processes, which include production of two or more vector bosons in fermion-antifermion annihilation, as well as vector boson scattering (VBS) processes. The latter categories can test modifications of gauge-boson self-interactions, and the sensitivity is typically improved with increased collision energy. This report evaluates the achievable precision of a range of future experiments, which depend on the statistics of the collected data sample, the experimental and theoretical systematic uncertainties, and their correlations. In addition it presents a combined interpretation of these results, together with similar studies in the Higgs and top sector, in the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) framework. This framework provides a model-independent prescription to put generic constraints on new physics and to study and combine large sets of experimental observables, assuming that the new physics scales are significantly higher than the EW scale., Comment: 55 pages; Report of the EF04 topical group for Snowmass 2021; v2: few typos corrected and references added

We present a complete calculation of the next-to-next-to-leading (NNLO) electroweak corrections involving closed fermion loops to the $e^+ e^- \to ZH$ process. This has been achieved by using a semi-numerical technique for the two-loop vertex and box diagrams, which is based on Feynman parameters and dispersion relations for one of the two sub-loops. UV divergences are treated with suitable subtraction terms. Numerical results for the unpolarized differential and integrated cross-section at center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}=240~\text{GeV}$ are provided. Combining the NNLO contributions with one and two closed fermions loops, they are found to increase the NLO cross-section by 0.7\%., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Ref.8 is changed

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is on the table now as a new global energy-frontier accelerator laboratory taking data in the 2030s. The ILC addresses key questions for our current understanding of particle physics. It is based on a proven accelerator technology. Its experiments will challenge the Standard Model of particle physics and will provide a new window to look beyond it. This document brings the story of the ILC up to date, emphasizing its strong physics motivation, its readiness for construction, and the opportunity it presents to the US and the global particle physics community., Comment: 356 pages, Large pdf file (40 MB) submitted to Snowmass 2021; v2 references to Snowmass contributions added, additional authors; v3 references added, some updates, additional authors

Two-loop electroweak corrections to polarized Moller scattering are studied in two different schemes at low energies. We find the finite $Q^2$ corrections to be well under control. The hadronic and perturbative QCD corrections to the $\gamma Z$ two-point function are incorporated through the weak mixing angle at low energies, which introduce an error of $0.08\times10^{-3}$ in the weak charge of the electron $Q^e_W$. Furthermore, by studying the scheme dependence, we obtain an estimate of the current perturbative electroweak uncertainty, $\delta Q^e_W\approx0.23\times10^{-3}$, which is five times smaller than the precision estimated for the MOLLER experiment $(\delta Q_W^e=1.1\times10^{-3})$. Future work is possible to reduce the theory error further., Comment: 16 pages, 2 Figures

Modern particle physics is increasingly becoming a precision science that relies on advanced theoretical predictions for the analysis and interpretation of experimental results. The planned physics program at the LHC and future colliders will require three-loop electroweak and mixed electroweak-QCD corrections to single-particle production and decay processes and two-loop electroweak corrections to pair production processes, all of which are beyond the reach of existing analytical and numerical techniques in their current form. This article presents a new semi-numerical approach based on differential equations with boundary terms specified at Euclidean kinematic points. These Euclidean boundary terms can be computed numerically with high accuracy using sector decomposition or other numerical methods. They are then mapped to the physical kinematic configuration with a series solution of the differential equation system. The method is able to deliver 8 or more digits precision, and it has a built-in mechanism for checking the accuracy of the obtained results. Its efficacy is illustrated with examples for three-loop self-energy and vertex integrals and two-loop box integrals.

Different sets of electroweak input parameters are discussed for SMEFT predictions at the LHC. The {Gmu,mZ,mW} one is presently recommended., Comment: LHC EFT WG note, 5 pages

In this proceeding, we highlight the computation of leading fermionic three-loop corrections to electroweak precision observables (EWPOs) accomplished recently. We summarize the numerical analysis and provide an outlook., Comment: 10 pages, 3 graphs, Contribution to the Proceedings of RADCOR 2021

New light singlet scalars with flavor-specific couplings represent a phenomenologically distinctive and flavor-safe alternative to the well-studied possibility of Higgs-portal scalars. However, in contrast to the Higgs portal, flavor-specific couplings require an ultraviolet completion involving new heavy states charged under the Standard Model gauge symmetries, leading to a host of additional novel phenomena. Focusing for concreteness on a scenario with up quark-specific couplings, we investigate two simple renormalizable completions, one with an additional vector-like quark and another featuring an extra scalar doublet. We consider the implications of naturalness, flavor- and CP-violation, electroweak precision observables, and direct searches for the new states at the LHC. These bounds, while being model-dependent, are shown to probe interesting regions in the parameter space of the scalar mass and its low-energy effective coupling, complementing the essential phenomenology of the low-energy effective theory at a variety of low and medium energy experiments., Comment: 42 pages, 8 figures

Precision studies of the Higgs boson at future $e^+e^-$ colliders can help to shed light on fundamental questions related to electroweak symmetry breaking, baryogenesis, the hierarchy problem, and dark matter. The main production process, $e^+e^- \to HZ$, will need to be controlled with sub-percent precision, which requires the inclusion of next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) electroweak corrections. The most challenging class of diagrams are planar and non-planar double-box topologies with multiple massive propagators in the loops. This article proposes a technique for computing these diagrams numerically, by transforming one of the sub-loops through the use of Feynman parameters and a dispersion relation, while standard one-loop formulae can be used for the other sub-loop. This approach can be extended to deal with tensor integrals. The resulting numerical integrals can be evaluated in minutes on a single CPU core, to achieve about 0.1% relative precision., Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures and 1 table

This write-up of lectures given at TASI 2020 provides an introduction into precision tests of the electroweak Standard Model. The lecture notes begin with a hands-on review of the (on-shell) renormalization procedure, and subsequently highlight a few subtleties that occur in the renormalization of a theory with electroweak symmetry breaking and massive gauge bosons. After that a set of typical electroweak precision observables is introduced, as well as a range of input parameter measurements that are needed for making predictions within the Standard Model. Finally, it is discussed how comparisons of the electroweak precision observables between experiment and theory can be used to stress-test the Standard Model and probe new physics., Comment: 41 pages

Measurements of electroweak precision observables at future electron-positron colliders, such as the CEPC, FCC-ee, and ILC, will be sensitive to physics at multi-TeV scales. To achieve this sensitivity, precise predictions for the Standard Model expectations of these observables are needed, including corrections at the three- and four-loop level. In this article, results are presented for the calculation of a subset of three-loop mixed electroweak-QCD corrections, stemming from diagrams with a gluon exchange and two closed fermion loops. The numerical impact of these corrections is illustrated for a number of applications: the prediction of the W-boson mass from the Fermi constant, the effective weak mixing angle, and the partial and total widths of the Z boson. Two alternative renormalization schemes for the top-quark mass are considered, on-shell and $\overline{\mbox{MS}}$., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures

Phenomenologically relevant electroweak precision pseudo-observables related to Z-boson physics are discussed in the context of the strong experimental demands of future $e^+e^-$ colliders. The recent completion of two-loop Z-boson results is summarized and a prospect for the 3-loop Standard Model calculation of the Z-boson decay pseudo-observable is given., Comment: Contribution to ICHEP2020

Future electron-position colliders, such as CEPC and FCC-ee, have the capability to dramatically improve the experimental precision for W and Z-boson masses and couplings. This would enable indirect probes of physics beyond the Standard Model at multi-TeV scales. For this purpose, one must complement the experimental measurements with equally precise calculations for the theoretical predictions of these quantities within the Standard Model, including three-loop electroweak corrections. This article reports on the calculation of a subset of these corrections, stemming from diagrams with three closed fermion loops to the following quantities: the prediction of the W-boson mass from the Fermi constant, the effective weak mixing angle, and partial and total widths of the Z boson. The numerical size of these corrections is relatively modest, but non-negligible compared to the precision targets of future colliders. In passing, an error is identified in previous results for the two-loop corrections to the Z width, with a small yet non-zero numerical impact., Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures

A complete, gauge-invariant computation of two loop virtual corrections involving closed fermion loops to the polarized M{\o}ller scattering asymmetry is presented. The set of contributions involving two closed fermion loops and the set involving one closed fermion loop are numerically similar in magnitude to the one-loop bosonic corrections and yield an overall correction of 1.3% relative to the tree-level asymmetry. We estimate sizes of remaining two-loop contributions and discuss implications for the upcoming MOLLER experiment., Comment: 6 pages; v2: numerical error and few typos corrected, published version

We present TVID 2, a program to numerically evaluate an important class of planar three-loop self-energy master integrals with arbitrary masses. As with the predecessor version (TVID 1) the integrals are separated into a known piece, containing the UV divergencies, and a finite piece that is integrated numerically, implemented in C. The set of master integrals under consideration was found with self-energy diagrams containing two closed fermion loops in mind. Two techniques are employed in deriving the expressions for the finite pieces that are then numerically integrated: (a) Sub-loop dispersion relations in the case of topologies containing sub-bubbles, and (b) a modification of the procedure suggested by Ghinculov for integrals with only sub-loop triangles., Comment: 26 pages, 3 figures, 5 tables. Code available at http://www.pitt.edu/~afreitas/

We present Standard Model predictions for the complete set of phenomenologically relevant electroweak precision pseudo-observables related to the Z-boson: the leptonic and bottom-quark effective weak mixing angles $\sin^2\theta_{\rm eff}^\ell$, $\sin^2\theta_{\rm eff}^b$, the Z-boson partial decay widths $\Gamma_f$, where $f$ indicates any charged lepton, neutrino and quark flavor (except for the top quark), as well as the total Z decay width $\Gamma_Z$, the branching ratios $R_\ell$, $R_c$, $R_b$, and the hadronic cross section $\sigma_{\rm had}^0$. The input parameters are the masses $M_Z$, $M_H$ and $m_t$, and the couplings $\alpha_s$, $\alpha$. The scheme dependence due to the choice of $M_W$ or its alternative $G_\mu$ as a last input parameter is also discussed. Recent substantial technical progress in the calculation of Minkowskian massive higher-order Feynman integrals allows the calculation of the complete electroweak two-loop radiative corrections to all the observables mentioned. QCD contributions are included appropriately. Results are provided in terms of simple and convenient parameterization formulae whose coefficients have been determined from the full numerical multi-loop calculation. The size of the missing electroweak three-loop or QCD higher-order corrections is estimated. We briefly comment on the prospects for their calculation. Finally, direct predictions for the $Z{\bar f}f$ vector and axial-vector form-factors are given, including a discussion of separate order-by-order contributions., Comment: 17 pages + references; v2: typos in eqs.(2.9) and (3.1) corrected, non-factorizable corrections consistently included in form factors (Tabs. 5-7)

The future lepton colliders proposed for the High Energy and Precision Frontier set stringent demands on theory. The most ambitious, broad-reaching and demanding project is the FCC-ee. We consider here the present status and requirements on precision calculations, possible ways forward and novel methods, to match the experimental accuracies expected at the FCC-ee. We conclude that the challenge can be tackled by a distributed collaborative effort in academic institutions around the world, provided sufficient support, which is estimated to about 500 man-years over the next 20 years., Comment: Input to the European Strategy Particle Physics 2018-2020

We investigate the thermal cosmology and terrestrial and astrophysical phenomenology of a sub-GeV hadrophilic dark sector. The specific construction explored in this work features a Dirac fermion dark matter candidate interacting with a light scalar mediator that dominantly couples to the up-quark. The correct freeze-out relic abundance may be achieved via dark matter annihilation directly to hadrons or through secluded annihilation to scalar mediators. A rich and distinctive phenomenology is present in this scenario, with probes arising from precision meson decays, proton beam dump experiments, colliders, direct detection experiments, supernovae, and nucleosynthesis. In the future, experiments such as NA62, REDTOP, SHiP, SBND, and NEWS-G will be able to explore a significant portion of the cosmologically motivated parameter space., Comment: 36 pages, 2 figures

When computing radiative corrections in models with compactified extra dimen- sions, one has to sum over the entire tower of Kaluza-Klein excitations inside the loops. The loop corrections generate a difference between the coupling strength of a zero-mode gauge boson and the coupling strength of its Kaluza-Klein excitation, although both originate from the same higher-dimensional gauge interaction. Furthermore, this dis- crepancy will in general depend on the cutoff scale and assumptions about the UV completion of the extra-dimensional theory. In this article, these effects are studied in detail within the context of the minimal universal extra dimension model (MUED). The broad features of the cutoff scale dependence can be captured through the so- lution of the functional flow equation in five-dimensional space. However, an explicit diagrammatic calculation reveals some modifications due to the compactification of the extra dimension. Nevertheless, when imposing a physical renormalization condition, one finds that the UV sensitivity of the effective Kaluza-Klein gauge-boson vertex is relatively small and not very important for most phenomenological purposes. Similar conclusions should hold in a larger class of extra-dimensional models besides MUED., Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures

This article presents results for the last unknown two-loop contributions to the $Z$-boson partial widths and $Z$-peak cross-section. These are the so-called bosonic electroweak two-loop corrections, where "bosonic" refers to diagrams without closed fermion loops. Together with the corresponding results for the $Z$-pole asymmetries $A_l, A_b$, which have been presented earlier, this completes the theoretical description of $Z$-boson precision observables at full two-loop precision within the Standard Model. The calculation has been achieved through a combination of different methods: (a) numerical integration of Mellin-Barnes representations with contour rotations and contour shifts to improve convergence; (b) sector decomposition with numerical integration over Feynman parameters; (c) dispersion relations for sub-loop insertions. Numerical results are presented in the form of simple parameterization formulae for the total width, $\Gamma_{\rm Z}$, partial decay widths $\Gamma_{e,\mu},\Gamma_{\tau},\Gamma_{\nu},\Gamma_{u},\Gamma_{c},\Gamma_{d,s},\Gamma_{b}$, branching ratios $R_l,R_c,R_b$ and the hadronic peak cross-section, $\sigma_{\rm had}^0$. Theoretical intrinsic uncertainties from missing higher orders are also discussed., Comment: 10 pages

New singlet scalar bosons have broad phenomenological utility and feature prominently in many extensions of the Standard Model. Such scalars are often taken to have Higgs-like couplings to SM fermions in order to evade stringent flavor bounds, e.g. by assuming Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV), which leads to a rather characteristic phenomenology. Here we describe an alternative approach, based on an effective field theory framework for a new scalar that dominantly couples to one specific SM fermion mass eigenstate. A simple flavor hypothesis ensures adequate suppression of new flavor changing neutral currents. We consider radiatively generated flavor changing neutral currents and scalar potential terms in such theories, demonstrating that they are often suppressed by small Yukawa couplings, and also describe the role of $CP$ symmetry. We further demonstrate that such scalars can have masses that are significantly below the electroweak scale while still being natural, provided they are sufficiently weakly coupled to ordinary matter. In comparison to other flavor scenarios, our framework is rather versatile since a single (or a few) desired scalar couplings may be investigated in isolation. We illustrate this by discussing in detail the examples of an up-specific scalar mediator to dark matter and a muon-specific scalar that may address the $\sim 3 \sigma$ muon anomalous magnetic moment discrepancy., Comment: 37 pages, 7 figures. v2: references added, minor changes, conclusions unchanged; matches version published in PRD

Models with an orbifolded universal extra dimension receive important loop-induced corrections to the masses and couplings of Kaluza-Klein (KK) particles. The dominant contributions stem from so-called boundary terms which violate KK number. Previously, only the parts of these boundary terms proportional to $\ln(\Lambda R)$ have been computed, where $R$ is the radius of the extra dimension and $\Lambda$ is cut-off scale. However, for typical values of $\Lambda R \sim 10 \cdots 50$, the logarithms are not particularly large and non-logarithmic contributions may be numerically important. In this paper, these remaining finite terms are computed and their phenomenological impact is discussed. It is shown that the finite terms have a significant impact on the KK mass spectrum. Furthermore, one finds new KK-number violating interactions that do not depend on $\ln(\Lambda R)$ but nevertheless are non-zero. These lead to new production and decay channels for level-2 KK particles at colliders., Comment: V2: KK-top (mass and decays) updated, correcting a mistake in the literature

This paper describes the calculation of the next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD corrections to massive color-octet vector boson pair production at hadron colliders. As a concrete framework, a two-site coloron model with an internal parity is chosen, which can be regarded as an effective low-energy approximation of Kaluza-Klein gluon physics in universal extra dimensions. The renormalization procedure involves several subtleties, which are discussed in detail. The impact of the NLO corrections is relatively modest, amounting to a reduction of 11-14% in the total cross-section, but they significantly reduce the scale dependence of the LO result.

Three-loop vacuum integrals are an important building block for the calculation of a wide range of three-loop corrections. Until now, only results for integrals with one and two independent mass scales are known, but in the electroweak Standard Model and many extensions thereof, one often encounters more mass scales of comparable magnitude. For this reason, a numerical approach for the evaluation of three-loop vacuum integrals with arbitrary mass pattern is proposed here. Concretely, one can identify a basic set of three master integral topologies. With the help of dispersion relations, each of these can be transformed into one-dimensional or, for the most complicated case, two-dimensional integrals in terms of elementary functions, which are suitable for efficient numerical integration., Comment: 17 pages; ancillary file with subtraction formulae for the U5 master integral in Mathematica format are supplied with this submission. v2: minor typos corrected and few references added, version to published in JHEP. v3: typos in eqs. (23), (31), (35) and (61) corrected

The prediction of the effective electroweak mixing angle $\sin^2\theta_{\rm eff}^{\rm b}$ in the Standard Model at two-loop accuracy has now been completed by the first calculation of the bosonic two-loop corrections to the $Z{\bar b}b$ vertex. Numerical predictions are presented in the form of a fitting formula as function of $M_Z, M_W, M_H, m_t$ and $\Delta{\alpha}$, ${\alpha_{\rm s}}$. For central input values, we obtain a relative correction of $\Delta\kappa_{\rm b}^{(\alpha^2,\rm bos)} = -0.9855 \times 10^{-4}$, amounting to about a quarter of the fermionic corrections, and corresponding to $\sin^2\theta_{\rm eff}^{\rm b} = 0.232704$. The integration of the corresponding two-loop vertex Feynman integrals with up to three dimensionless parameters in Minkowskian kinematics has been performed with two approaches: (i) Sector decomposition, implemented in the packages FIESTA 3 and SecDec 3, and (ii) Mellin-Barnes representations, implemented in AMBRE 3/MB and the new package MBnumerics., Comment: 14 pp; v2: some explanations and Tab.2 added, version published in PLB

Effective Lagrangians are a useful tool for a data-driven approach to physics beyond the Standard Model at the LHC. However, for the new physics scales accessible at the LHC, the effective operator expansion is only relatively slowly converging at best. For tree-level processes, it has been found that the agreement between the effective Lagrangian and a range of UV-complete models depends sensitively on the appropriate definition of the matching. We extend this analysis to the one-loop level, which is relevant for electroweak precision data and Higgs decay to photons. We show that near the scale of electroweak symmetry breaking the validity of the effective theory description can be systematically improved through an appropriate matching procedure. In particular, we find a significant increase in accuracy when including suitable terms suppressed by the Higgs vacuum expectation value in the matching., Comment: no appendix

Higher-order radiative corrections play an important role in precision studies of the electroweak and Higgs sector, as well as for the detailed understanding of large backgrounds to new physics searches. For corrections beyond the one-loop level and involving many independent mass and momentum scales, it is in general not possible to find analytic results, so that one needs to resort to numerical methods instead. This article presents an overview over a variety of numerical loop integration techniques, highlighting their range of applicability, suitability for automatization, and numerical precision and stability. In a second part of this article, the application of numerical loop integration methods in the area of electroweak precision tests is illustrated. Numerical methods were essential for obtaining full two-loop predictions for the most important precision observables within the Standard Model. The theoretical foundations for these corrections will be described in some detail, including aspects of the renormalization, resummation of leading loop contributions, and the evaluation of the theory uncertainty from missing higher orders., Comment: 60 pp., invited review for Prog.Part.Nucl.Phys., comments welcome; v2: few minor corrections and references added, version to be published in journal

At the LHC, an effective theory of the Higgs sector allows us to analyze kinematic distributions in addition to inclusive rates, although there is no clear hierarchy of scales. We systematically analyze how well dimension-6 operators describe LHC observables in comparison to the full theory, and in a range where the LHC will be sensitive. The key question is how the breakdown of the dimension-6 description affects Higgs measurements during the upcoming LHC run for weakly interacting models. We cover modified Higgs sectors with a singlet and doublet extension, new top partners, and a vector triplet. First, weakly interacting models only generate small relevant subsets of dimension-6 operators. Second, the dimension-6 description tends to be justified at the LHC. Scanning over model parameters, significant discrepancies can nevertheless arise; their main source is the matching procedure in the absence of a well-defined hierarchy of scales. This purely theoretical problem should not affect future LHC analyses., Comment: 30 pages plus detailed appendices; v2: expanded discussion of matching procedure, new results added

Fermion dark matter (DM) interacting with the standard model through a Higgs portal requires non-renormalizable operators, signaling the presence of new mediator states at the electroweak scale. Collider signatures that involve the mediators are a powerful tool to experimentally probe the Higgs portal interactions, providing complementary information to strong constraints set by direct DM detection searches. Indirect detection experiments are less sensitive to this scenario. We investigate the collider reach for the mediators using three minimal renormalizable models as examples, and requiring the fermion DM to be a thermal relic. The Large Hadron Collider in its high-energy, high-luminosity phase can probe most scenarios if DM is lighter than about 200 GeV. Beyond this scale, future high-energy experiments such as an electron-positron collider or a 100-TeV proton-proton collider, combined with future direct detection experiments, are indispensable to conclusively test these models., Comment: 23 pages; v2: references added and correction of direct detection limits in section VI.D

Many new-physics models, especially those with a color-triplet top-quark partner, contain a heavy color-octet state. The "naturalness" argument for a light Higgs boson requires that the color-octet state be not much heavier than a TeV, and thus it can be pair-produced with large cross sections at high-energy hadron colliders. It may decay preferentially to a top quark plus a top-partner, which subsequently decays to a top quark plus a color-singlet state. This singlet can serve as a WIMP dark-matter candidate. Such decay chains lead to a spectacular signal of four top quarks plus missing energy. We pursue a general categorization of the color-octet states and their decay products according to their spin and gauge quantum numbers. We review the current bounds on the new states at the LHC and study the expected discovery reach at the 8-TeV and 14-TeV runs. We also present the production rates at a future 100-TeV hadron collider, where the cross sections will be many orders of magnitude greater than at the 14-TeV LHC. Furthermore, we explore the extent to which one can determine the color octet's mass, spin, and chiral couplings. Finally, we propose a test to determine whether the fermionic color octet is a Majorana particle., Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures; journal version

Dark matter particles that couple primarily to leptons are only weakly constrained by data from direct detection experiments and the LHC. However, models of this kind necessarily generate effective four-lepton contact interactions at the tree- or one-loop-level, which can be probed in $e^+e^-$ collisions. In this work, precise data from LEP is used to derive limits on leptophilic dark matter in a model-independent framework. The bounds turn out to be competitive with, and in some cases exceed, limits from mono-photon events. We also extrapolate our results to ILC energies and luminosities. We show that ILC data for contact interactions may be able to set the strongest limits on TeV-scale leptophilic dark matter for couplings $g\gtrsim 1$ of the mediators., Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures

The long-standing difference between the experimental measurement and the standard-model prediction for the muon's anomalous magnetic moment, $a_{\mu} = (g_{\mu}-2)/2$, may be explained by the presence of new weakly interacting particles with masses of a few 100 GeV. Particles of this kind can generally be directly produced at the LHC, and thus they may already be constrained by existing data. In this work, we investigate this connection between $a_{\mu}$ and the LHC in a model-independent approach, by introducing one or two new fields beyond the standard model with spin and weak isospin up to one. For each case, we identify the preferred parameter space for explaining the discrepancy of a_mu and derive bounds using data from LEP and the 8-TeV LHC run. Furthermore, we estimate how these limits could be improved with the 14-TeV LHC. We find that the 8-TeV results already rule out a subset of our simplified models, while almost all viable scenarios can be tested conclusively with 14-TeV data., Comment: 35 pages, 7 figures, 7 tables, corrected bounds from electron g-2 on effects of mixing vector fermions in Section 4

In this paper, we constrain CP violation in the Higgs sector using the measured signal strengths in the various Higgs search channels. To this end, we introduce a general parameterization for a resonance which is an admixture of a CP-even Higgs-like state and a CP-odd scalar. By performing a fit to the available data from the Tevatron and LHC experiments one obtains constraints on the mixing angle and the couplings of the resonance to Standard Model fields. Depending on the couplings, sizable mixing angles are still compatible with the data, but small mixing is in general preferred by the fit. In particular we find that a pure CP-odd state is disfavored by the current data at the 3 sigma level. Additionally we consider a mixed fermiophobic resonance and a model with two degenerate mixed resonances and find that both scenarios can successfully fit the data within current errors. Finally, we estimate that the mixing angle can be constrained to \alpha < 1.1 (0.7) in the full 8 TeV (14 TeV) run of the LHC., Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures; v2: references added and minor typos fixed

The basic structure of top-quarks as spin-1/2 particles is characterized by the radius $R_t$ and the intrinsic magnetic dipole moment $\kappa_t$, both individually associated with gauge interactions. They are predicted to be zero in pointlike theories as the Standard Model. We derive upper limits of these parameters in the color sector from cross sections measured at Tevatron and LHC in top-pair production $p{\bar{p}}/pp \to t{\bar{t}}$, and we predict improved limits expected from LHC in the future, especially for analyses exploiting boosted top final states. An additional method for measuring the intrinsic parameters is based on $t \bar{t} + jet$ final states., Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, 1 table; published version

The top quark may hold the key to new physics associated with the electroweak symmetry-breaking sector, given its large mass and enhanced coupling to the Higgs sector. We systematically categorize generic interactions of a new particle that couples to the top quark and a neutral particle, which is assumed to be heavy and stable, thus serving as a candidate for cold dark matter. The experimental signatures for new physics involving top quarks and its partners at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may be distinctive, yet challenging to disentangle. We optimize the search strategy at the LHC for the decay of the new particle to a top quark plus missing energy and propose the study of its properties, such as its spin and couplings. We find that, at 14 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 100 fb^-1, a spin-zero top partner can be observed at the 5-sigma level for a mass of 675 GeV. A spin-zero particle can be differentiated from spin-1/2 and spin-1 particles at the 5-sigma level with a luminosity of 10 fb^-1., Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures; v2: journal version

This document proposes a collection of simplified models relevant to the design of new-physics searches at the LHC and the characterization of their results. Both ATLAS and CMS have already presented some results in terms of simplified models, and we encourage them to continue and expand this effort, which supplements both signature-based results and benchmark model interpretations. A simplified model is defined by an effective Lagrangian describing the interactions of a small number of new particles. Simplified models can equally well be described by a small number of masses and cross-sections. These parameters are directly related to collider physics observables, making simplified models a particularly effective framework for evaluating searches and a useful starting point for characterizing positive signals of new physics. This document serves as an official summary of the results from the "Topologies for Early LHC Searches" workshop, held at SLAC in September of 2010, the purpose of which was to develop a set of representative models that can be used to cover all relevant phase space in experimental searches. Particular emphasis is placed on searches relevant for the first ~50-500 pb-1 of data and those motivated by supersymmetric models. This note largely summarizes material posted at http://lhcnewphysics.org/, which includes simplified model definitions, Monte Carlo material, and supporting contacts within the theory community. We also comment on future developments that may be useful as more data is gathered and analyzed by the experiments., Comment: 40 pages, 2 figures. This document is the official summary of results from "Topologies for Early LHC Searches" workshop (SLAC, September 2010). Supplementary material can be found at http://lhcnewphysics.org

The axino, the fermionic superpartner of the axion, is a well-motivated candidate for cold dark matter if it is the lightest supersymmetric particle. Since the axino couples very weakly to the matter multiplets, the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) has a long lifetime, which has important consequences for both cosmology and collider phenomenology. Assuming that a charged slepton is the NLSP, we calculate the complete leading one- and two-loop contributions to its decay. We analyze in detail constraints on the parameters space from cosmology and discuss how this scenario can be probed at colliders. Scenarios in which both the axino and the gravitino are lighter than the long-lived charged slepton are also explored with particular emphasis on cosmological constraints and collider phenomenology., Comment: 64 pages, 22 figures

We analyze the collider signals of composite scalars that emerge in certain little Higgs models and models of vectorlike confinement. Similar to the decay of the pion into photon pairs, these scalars mainly decay through anomaly-induced interactions into electroweak gauge bosons, leading to a distinct signal with three or more photons in the final state. We study the standard model backgrounds for these signals, and find that the LHC can discover these models over a large range of parameter space with 30 fb$^{-1}$ at 14 TeV. An early discovery at the current 7 TeV run is possible in some regions of parameter space. We also discuss possibilities to measure the spin of the particles in the $\gamma \gamma $ and $Z\gamma $ decay channels., Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX

An improved method is presented for the numerical evaluation of multi-loop integrals in dimensional regularization. The technique is based on Mellin-Barnes representations, which have been used earlier to develop algorithms for the extraction of ultraviolet and infrared divergencies. The coefficients of these singularities and the non-singular part can be integrated numerically. However, the numerical integration often does not converge for diagrams with massive propagators and physical branch cuts. In this work, several steps are proposed which substantially improve the behavior of the numerical integrals. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated by calculating several two-loop examples, some of which have not been known before., Comment: 13 pp. LaTeX

We apply the Matrix Element Method (MEM) to mass determination of squark pair production with direct decay to quarks and LSP at the LHC, showing that simultaneous mass determination of squarks and LSP is possible. We furthermore propose methods for inclusion of QCD radiation effects in the MEM., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. To appear in the proceedings of SUSY09, the 17th International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental Interactions. Figures replaced (corrected y axis labels)