FLAVOR-CHANGING NEUTRAL CURRENTS IN SU(3)L-CIRCLE-TIMES-U(1)Y MODELS

We consider flavor changing neutral current effects coming from the Z' exchange in 3-3-1 models. We show that the mass of this extra neutral vector boson may be less than 2 TeV and discuss the problem of quark family discrimination.

QCD phase transitions from relativistic hadron models

The models of translationally invariant infinite nuclear matter in the relativistic mean field models are very interesting and simple, since the nucleon can connect only to a constant vector and scalar meson field. Can one connect these to the complicated phase transitions of QCD? For an affirmative answer to this question, one must consider models where the coupling contstants to the scalar and vector fields depend on density in a nonlinear way, since as such the models are not explicitly chirally invariant. Once this is ensured, indeed one can derive a quark condensate indirectly from the energy density of nuclear matter which goes to zero at large density and temperature. The change to zero condensate indicates a smooth phase transition. © Springer-Verlag 1996.

Quark-antiquark correlation in the pion

The electromagnetic tensor for inclusive electron scattering off the pion Wμν for momentum transfers such that q+ = 0, (q+ = q0 + q3) is shown to obey a sum-rule for the component W++. From this sum-rule, one can define the quark-antiquark correlation function in the pion, which characterizes the transverse distance distribution between the quark and antiquark in the light-front pion wave-function. Within the realistic models of the relativistic pion wave function (including instanton vacuum inspired wave function) it is shown that the value of the two-quark correlation radius (rqq̄) is near twice the pion electromagnetic radius (rπ), where rπ ≈ 2/3 fm. We also define the correlation length lcorr where the two-particle correlation have an extremum. The estimation of lcorr ≈ 0.3-0,5 fm is very close to estimations from instanton models of QCD vacuum. It is also shown that the above correlation is very sensitive to the pion light-front wave-function models. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Droplet formation in cold asymmetric nuclear matter in the quark-meson-coupling model

The quark-meson-coupling model is used to study droplet formation from the liquid-gas phase transition in cold asymmetric nuclear matter. The critical density and proton fraction for the phase transition are determined in the mean field approximation. Droplet properties are calculated in the Thomas-Fermi approximation. The electromagnetic field is explicitly included and its effects on droplet properties are studied. The results are compared with the ones obtained with the NL1 parametrization of the non-linear Walecka model. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

Search for supersymmetry in final states with missing transverse energy and 0, 1, 2, or ≥3 b-quark jets in 7 TeV pp collisions using the variable α T

A search for supersymmetry in final states with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s=7 TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.98 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. In this search, a dimensionless kinematic variable, α T, is used as the main discriminator between events with genuine and misreconstructed missing transverse energy. The search is performed in a signal region that is binned in the scalar sum of the transverse energy of jets and the number of jets identified as originating from a bottom quark. No excess of events over the standard model expectation is found. Exclusion limits are set in the parameter space of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model, and also in simplified models, with a special emphasis on compressed spectra and third-generation scenarios.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS Collaboration.

Search for supersymmetry in final states with a single lepton, b-quark jets, and missing transverse energy in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV

A search motivated by supersymmetric models with light top squarks is presented using proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at a center-of-mass energy of √s=7 TeV during 2011, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.98 fb-1. The analysis is based on final states with a single lepton, b-quark jets, and missing transverse energy. Standard model yields are predicted from data using two different approaches. The observed event numbers are found to be compatible with these predictions. Results are interpreted in the context of the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model and of a simplified model with four top quarks in the final state. © 2013 CERN.

125 GeV scalar boson and SU(NTC)⊗ - SU(3) L⊗ - U(1)X models

We verify that SU(N)TC⊗ - SU(3) L⊗ - U(1)X models, where the gauge symmetry breaking is totally dynamical and promoted by the non-Abelian technicolor group and the strong Abelian interactions, are quite constrained by the LHC data. The theory contains a T quark self-energy involving the mixing between the neutral gauge bosons, which introduces the coupling between the light and heavy composite scalar bosons of the model. We determine the lightest scalar boson mass for these models from an effective action for composite operators, assuming details about the dynamics of the strong interaction theories. Comparing the value of this mass with the ATLAS and CMS observation of a new boson with a mass M∼125 GeV and considering the lower bound determined by the LHC Collaboration on the heavy neutral gauge boson (Z′) present in these models, we can establish constraints on the possible models. For example, if SU(N)TC≡SU(2)TC, with technifermions in the fundamental representation, the model barely survives the confrontation with the LHC data. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Search for supersymmetry in hadronic final states with missing transverse energy using the variables αT and b-quark multiplicity in pp collisions at {Mathematical expression}

An inclusive search for supersymmetric processes that produce final states with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 11.7 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. In this search, a dimensionless kinematic variable, αT, is used to discriminate between events with genuine and misreconstructed missing transverse energy. The search is based on an examination of the number of reconstructed jets per event, the scalar sum of transverse energies of these jets, and the number of these jets identified as originating from bottom quarks. No significant excess of events over the standard model expectation is found. Exclusion limits are set in the parameter space of simplified models, with a special emphasis on both compressed-spectrum scenarios and direct or gluino-induced production of third-generation squarks. For the case of gluino-mediated squark production, gluino masses up to 950-1125 GeV are excluded depending on the assumed model. For the direct pair-production of squarks, masses up to 450 GeV are excluded for a single light first- or second-generation squark, increasing to 600 GeV for bottom squarks. © 2013 CERN for the benefit of the CMS collaboration.

Stringent limits on top-quark compositeness from t(t)over-bar production at the Tevatron and the LHC

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

Search for quark contact interactions and extra spatial dimensions using dijet angular distributions in proton–proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Searches for heavy Higgs bosons in two-Higgs-doublet models and for t→ch decay using multilepton and diphoton final states in pp collisions at 8 TeV

Searches are presented for heavy scalar (H) and pseudoscalar (A) Higgs bosons posited in the two doublet model (2HDM) extensions of the standard model (SM). These searches are based on a data sample of pp collisions collected with the CMS experiment at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of root s = 8 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb(-1). The decays H -> hh and A -> Zh, where h denotes an SM-like Higgs boson, lead to events with three or more isolated charged leptons or with a photon pair accompanied by one or more isolated leptons. The search results are presented in terms of the H and A production cross sections times branching fractions and are further interpreted in terms of 2HDM parameters. We place 95% C.L. cross section upper limits of approximately 7 pb on sigma B for H -> hh and 2 pb for A -> Zh. Also presented are the results of a search for the rare decay of the top quark that results in a charm quark and an SM Higgs boson, t -> ch, the existence of which would indicate a nonzero flavor-changing Yukawa coupling of the top quark to the Higgs boson. We place a 95% C.L. upper limit of 0.56% on B(t -> ch).

Charge-symmetry breaking, rho-omega mixing, and the quark propagator

The momentum dependence of the ρ0-ω mixing contribution to charge-symmetry breaking (CSB) in the nucleon-nucleon interaction is compared in a variety of models. We focus in particular on the role that the structure of the quark propagator plays in the predicted behaviour of the ρ0-ω mixing amplitude. We present new results for a confining (entire) quark propagator and for typical propagators arising from explicit numerical solutions of quark Dyson-Schwinger equations We compare these to hadronic and free quark calculations The implications for our current understanding of CSB experiments is discussed.

Measurement of top quark pairs production cross-section in the semi-leptonic channel with the ATLAS experiment

This thesis is about three major aspects of the identification of top quarks. First comes the understanding of their production mechanism, their decay channels and how to translate theoretical formulae into programs that can simulate such physical processes using Monte Carlo techniques. In particular, the author has been involved in the introduction of the POWHEG generator in the framework of the ATLAS experiment. POWHEG is now fully used as the benchmark program for the simulation of ttbar pairs production and decay, along with MC@NLO and AcerMC: this will be shown in chapter one. The second chapter illustrates the ATLAS detectors and its sub-units, such as calorimeters and muon chambers. It is very important to evaluate their efficiency in order to fully understand what happens during the passage of radiation through the detector and to use this knowledge in the calculation of final quantities such as the ttbar production cross section. The last part of this thesis concerns the evaluation of this quantity deploying the so-called "golden channel" of ttbar decays, yielding one energetic charged lepton, four particle jets and a relevant quantity of missing transverse energy due to the neutrino. The most important systematic errors arising from the various part of the calculation are studied in detail. Jet energy scale, trigger efficiency, Monte Carlo models, reconstruction algorithms and luminosity measurement are examples of what can contribute to the uncertainty about the cross-section.

Polarization in heavy quark decays

In this thesis I concentrate on the angular correlations in top quark decays and their next--to--leading order (NLO) QCD corrections. I also discuss the leading--order (LO) angular correlations in unpolarized and polarized hyperon decays. In the first part of the thesis I calculate the angular correlation between the top quark spin and the momentum of decay products in the rest frame decay of a polarized top quark into a charged Higgs boson and a bottom quark in Two-Higgs-Doublet-Models: $t(uparrow)rightarrow b+H^{+}$. The decay rate in this process is split into an angular independent part (unpolarized) and an angular dependent part (polar correlation). I provide closed form formulae for the ${mathcal O}(alpha_{s})$ radiative corrections to the unpolarized and the polar correlation functions for $m_{b}neq 0$ and $m_{b}=0$. The results for the unpolarized rate agree with the existing results in the literature. The results for the polarized correlations are new. I found that, for certain values of $tanbeta$, the ${mathcal O}(alpha_s)$ radiative corrections to the unpolarized, polarized rates, and the asymmetry parameter can become quite large. In the second part I concentrate on the semileptonic rest frame decay of a polarized top quark into a bottom quark and a lepton pair: $t(uparrow) to X_b + ell^+ + nu_ell$. I analyze the angular correlations between the top quark spin and the momenta of the decay products in two different helicity coordinate systems: system 1a with the $z$--axis along the charged lepton momentum, and system 3a with the $z$--axis along the neutrino momentum. The decay rate then splits into an angular independent part (unpolarized), a polar angle dependent part (polar correlation) and an azimuthal angle dependent part (azimuthal correlation). I present closed form expressions for the ${mathcal O}(alpha_{s})$ radiative corrections to the unpolarized part and the polar and azimuthal correlations in system 1a and 3a for $m_{b}neq 0$ and $m_{b}=0$. For the unpolarized part and the polar correlation I agree with existing results. My results for the azimuthal correlations are new. In system 1a I found that the azimuthal correlation vanishes in the leading order as a consequence of the $(V-A)$ nature of the Standard Model current. The ${mathcal O}(alpha_{s})$ radiative corrections to the azimuthal correlation in system 1a are very small (around 0.24% relative to the unpolarized LO rate). In system 3a the azimuthal correlation does not vanish at LO. The ${mathcal O}(alpha_{s})$ radiative corrections decreases the LO azimuthal asymmetry by around 1%. In the last part I turn to the angular distribution in semileptonic hyperon decays. Using the helicity method I derive complete formulas for the leading order joint angular decay distributions occurring in semileptonic hyperon decays including lepton mass and polarization effects. Compared to the traditional covariant calculation the helicity method allows one to organize the calculation of the angular decay distributions in a very compact and efficient way. This is demonstrated by the specific example of the polarized hyperon decay $Xi^0(uparrow) to Sigma^+ + l^- + bar{nu}_l$ ,($l^-=e^-, mu^-$) followed by the nonleptonic decay $Sigma^+ to p + pi^0$, which is described by a five--fold angular decay distribution.

Measurement of the top quark charge in pp collisions at sqrts = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the top quark electric charge is carried out in the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider using 2.05 fb-1 of data at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. In units of the elementary electric charge, the top quark charge is determined to be 0.64 +- 0.02 (stat.) +- 0.08 (syst.) from the charges of the top quark decay products in single lepton ttbar candidate events. This excludes models that propose a heavy quark of electric charge --4/3, instead of the Standard Model top quark, with a significance of more than 8 sigma.