Epsilon(b) constrainsts on self-couplings of vector bosons

We analyze the constraints on possible anomalous contributions to the W+W-Z vertex coming from non-universal radiative corrections to the Z → bb̄ width. We parametrize these corrections in terms of ∈b and use the LEP data to establish the allowed values for the anomalous triple couplings. We examine all CP conserving effective operators that exhibit SU(2)L × U(1)Y gauge invariance and do not give any tree level contribution to the present experimental observables. For some of these operators our constraints are comparable with the bounds coming from a global fit of the oblique parameters, which evidences the increasing relevance of the precise measurement of the b-quark parameters at LEP for the search of new physics.

Probing minimal supergravity at the CERN LHC for large tan beta

For large values of the minimal supergravity model parameter tan beta, the tau lepton and the bottom quark Yukawa couplings become large, leading to reduced masses of tau sleptons and b squarks relative to their first and second generation counterparts, and to enhanced decays of charginos and neutralinos to tau leptons and b quarks. We evaluate the reach of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) pp collider for supersymmetry in the MSUGRA model parameter space. We find that values of m((g) over tilde) similar to 1500-2000 GeV can be probed with just 10 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity for tan beta values as high as 45, so that MSUGRA cannot escape the scrutiny of LHC experiments by virtue of having a large value of tan beta. We also perform a case study of an MSUGRA model at tan beta = 45 where (Z) over tilde(2)-->tau<(tau)over tilde>(1) and (W) over tilde(1)-->tau(1)nu(tau) with similar to 100% branching fraction. In this case, at least within our simplistic study, we show that a di-tau mass edge, which determines the value of m((Z) over tilde 2) - m((Z) over tilde 1), can still be reconstructed. This information can be used as a starting point for reconstructing SUSY cascade decays on an event-by-event basis, and can provide a strong constraint in determining the underlying model parameters. Finally, we show that for large tan beta, there can be an observable excess of tau leptons, and argue that tau signals might serve to provide new information about the underlying model framework. [S0556-2821(99)04205-8].

Short distance QCD contribution to the electroweak mass difference of pions

It is known that the short distance QCD contribution to the mass difference of pions is quadratic on the quark masses, and irrelevant with respect to the long distance part. It is also considered in the literature that its calculation contains infinities, which should be absorbed by the quark mass renormalization. Following a prescription by Craigie, Narison, and Riazuddin of a renormalization-group-improved perturbation theory to deal with the electromagnetic mass shift problem in QCD, we show that the short distance QCD contribution to the electroweak pion mass difference (with mu=md≠0) is finite and, of course, its value is negligible compared to other contributions.

Linking natural supersymmetry to flavour physics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Medium effects in the pion-pole mechanism [gamma gamma ->pi(0)->nu(R)(nu)over-bar(L)(nu(L)(nu)over-bar(R))] of neutron star cooling

Nuclear medium effects in the neutrino cooling of neutron stars through the reaction channel γγ→π0 →ν Rν̄L(νLν̄R) are incorporated. Throughout the paper we discuss different possibilities of right-handed neutrinos, massive left-handed neutrinos, and standard massless left-handed neutrinos (reaction is then allowed only with medium modified vertices). It is demonstrated that multiparticle effects suppress the rate of this reaction channel in the dense hadron matter by 6-7 orders of magnitude that does not allow to decrease existing experimental upper limit on the corresponding π0νν̄ coupling. Other possibilities of the manifestation of the given reaction channel in different physical situations, e.g., in the quark color superconducting cores of the most massive neutron stars, are also discussed. We demonstrate that in the color-flavor-locked superconducting phase for temperatures T≲ 0.1-10 MeV (depending on the effective pion mass and the decay width) the process is feasibly the most efficient neutrino cooling process, although the absolute value of the reaction rate is rather small.

QCD sum rule approach to the s->d gamma contribution to the Omega(-)->Xi(-)gamma radiative decay

QCD sum rules are used to calculate the contribution of the short-distance single-quark transition s-->d gamma to the amplitudes of the hyperon radiative decay Omega(-)-->Xi(-) gamma. We reevaluate the Wilson coefficient of the effective operator responsible for this transition. We obtain a branching ratio which is comparable to the unitarity limit.