arXiv subjects

Francisco J. Botella

Publications and source records attributed to Francisco J. Botella.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Feasible Deviations from Unitarity with Vector-Like Quark Singlets

We deduce pertinent relations between the elements of the CKM matrix, and find that not all of these are totally compatible with experiment and/or the assumption of the SM $3 \times 3$ unitarity. We identify relations between moduli and complex phases of the CKM-elements which may signal deviations from unitary (DUs). Recent analyses of $|V_{cs}|$ appear to be in tension with the SM assumption of CKM unitarity in the second row, similar to previous hints of DUs in the first row from previous $|V_{ud,s}|$ results. Here, we explore DUs induced in VLQ iso-singlet models, in particular the possibility of having significant DUs of the first and second rows of the CKM matrix. We perform a extensive analysis of $n\leq 5$ VLQ iso-singlet models and identify a useful set of parametrizations with the intention of coherently exploring parameter space. We assess the feasibility of each model and confront it with constraints from key flavor observables, with particular attention to the neutral kaon and $D^0$-meson sectors, especially $ε_K$ and $x_D$. We find that smaller $n\leq 2$ VLQ-models cannot accommodate the new $|V_{cs}|$ results in the DUs of the second CKM-row. In contrast, larger models extending both up- and down-type sectors, can indeed produce significant second-row DUs, e.g. in a model with 3 up- and 2 down-type VLQs, even reaching the order of the Cabibbo angle. To our knowledge, the phenomenology of extensions combining both up- and down-type VLQs has yet to be thoroughly studied. Finally, we find that VLQ-singlet models may induce very large enhancements in the rephasing invariant phase $β_K$, entering in the Cabibbo sector.

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arXiv2024

New Physics hints from $τ$ scalar interactions and $(g-2)_{e,μ}$

We consider a flavour conserving two Higgs doublet model that consists of a type I (or X) quark sector and a generalized lepton sector where the Yukawa couplings of the charged leptons to the new scalars are not proportional to the lepton masses. The model, previously proposed to solve both muon and electron $g-2$ anomalies simultaneously, is also capable to accommodate the ATLAS excess in $pp \rightarrow S \rightarrow τ^{+}τ^{-}$ with gluon-gluon fusion production in the invariant mass range [0.2; 0.6] TeV, including all relevant low and high energy constraints. The excess is reproduced taking into account the new contributions from the scalar H, the pseudoscalar A, or both. In particular, detailed numerical analyses favoured the solution with a significant hierarchy among the vevs of the two Higgs doublets, $t_β \sim 10$, and light neutral scalars satisfying $m_\mathrm{A} > m_\mathrm{H}$ with sizable couplings to $τ$ leptons. In this region of the parameter space, the muon $g-2$ anomaly receives one and two loop (Barr-Zee) contributions of similar size, while the electron anomaly is explained at two loops. An analogous ATLAS excess in $b$-associated production and the CMS excess in ditop production are also studied. Further New Physics prospects concerning the anomalous magnetic moment of the $τ$ lepton and the implications of the CDF $M_W$ measurement on the final results are discussed.

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arXiv2023

Spontaneous CP violation and $μ-τ$ symmetry in two-Higgs-doublet models with flavour conservation

In multi-Higgs-doublet models, requiring simultaneously that (i) CP violation only arises spontaneously, (ii) tree level scalar flavour changing couplings are absent and (iii) the fermion mixing matrix is CP violating, can only be achieved in a very specific manner. A general approach with new clarifying insights on the question is presented. Considering the quark sector, that peculiar possibility is not viable on phenomenological grounds. We show that, considering the lepton sector, it is highly interesting and leads to viable models with $μ-τ$ symmetric PMNS matrices. Phenomenological implications of the models, both for Dirac and Majorana (in a type I seesaw scenario) neutrinos, are analysed.

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arXiv2023

Muon and electron $g-2$ anomalies in a flavor conserving 2HDM with an oblique view on the CDF $M_W$ value

We consider a type I or type X two Higgs doublets model with a modified lepton sector. The generalized lepton sector is also flavor conserving but with the new Yukawa couplings completely decoupled from lepton mass proportionality. The model is one loop stable under renormalization group evolution and it allows to reproduce the $g-2$ muon anomaly together with the different scenarios one can consider for the electron $g-2$ anomaly, related to the Cesium and/or to the Rubidium recoil measurements of the fine structure constant. Thorough parameter space analyses are performed to constrain all the model parameters in the different scenarios, either including or not including the recent CDF measurement of the W boson mass. For light new scalars with masses in the $0.2$-$1.0$ TeV range, the muon anomaly receives dominant one loop contributions; it is for heavy new scalars with masses above $1.2$ TeV that two loop Barr-Zee diagrams are needed. The electron $g-2$ anomaly, if any, must always be obtained with the two loop contributions. The final allowed regions are quite sensitive to the assumptions about perturbativity of Yukawa couplings, which influence unexpected observables like the allowed scalar mass ranges. On that respect, intermediate scalar masses, highly constrained by direct LHC searches, are allowed provided that the new lepton Yukawa couplings are fully scrutinized, including values up to 250 GeV. In the framework of a complete model, fully numerically analysed, we show the implications of the recent $M_{W}$ measurement.

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arXiv2022

Decays of the Heavy Top and New Insights on $ε_K$ in a one-VLQ Minimal Solution to the CKM Unitarity Problem

We propose a minimal extension of the Standard Model where an up-type vector-like quark, denoted $T$, is introduced and provides a simple solution to the CKM unitarity problem. We adopt the Botella-Chau parametrization in order to extract the $4\times 3$ quark mixing matrix which contains the three angles of the $3\times 3$ CKM matrix plus three new angles denoted $θ_{14}$, $θ_{24}$, $θ_{34}$. It is assumed that the mixing of $T$ with standard quarks is dominated by $θ_{14}$. Imposing a recently derived, and much more restrictive, upper-bound on the New Physics contributions to $ε_{K}$, we find, in the limit of exact $θ_{14}$ dominance where the other extra angles vanish, that $ε_{K}^{\text{NP}}$ is too large. However, if one relaxes the exact $θ_{14}$ dominance limit, there exists a parameter region, where one may obtain $ε_{K}^{\text{NP}}$ in agreement with experiment while maintaining the novel pattern of $T$ decays with the heavy quark decaying predominantly to the light quarks $d$ and $u$. We also find a reduction in the decay rate of $K_L\rightarrow π^o ν\barν$.

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arXiv2022

Leptonic $g-2$ in 2HDM

The experimental observations of the electron and muon anomalous magnetic moment present discrepancies with respect to the Standard Model predictions. A class of flavor conserving Two Higgs Doublet model, stable under renormalization, that is capable of explaining both anomalies simultaneously is presented. This model can also explain an excess observed by ATLAS in $σ(pp\to S)_{[\text{ggF}]}\times \text{Br}(S\toτ^+τ^-)$.

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arXiv2022

$B^0-\bar B^0$ entanglement for an ideal experiment on the direct CP violation $ϕ_3/γ$ phase

$B^0$--$\bar B^0$ Entanglement offers a conceptual alternative to the single charged B-decay asymmetry for the measurement of the direct CP violating $γ/ϕ_3$ phase. With $f=J/ΨK_L,J/ΨK_S$ and $g=(ππ)^0,(ρ_Lρ_L)^0$ the 16 time-ordered double decay rate Intensities to $(f, g)$ depend on the relative phase between the the $f$- and $g$-decay amplitudes given by $γ$ at tree-level. Several constraining consistencies appear. An intrinsic accuracy of the method at the level of $\pm 1^\circ$ could be achievable at Belle-II with an improved determination of the penguin amplitude to $g$-channels from existing facilities.

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arXiv2021

The framework for a common origin of $δ_{\rm CKM}$ and $δ_{\rm PMNS}$

We analyse a possible connection between CP violations in the quark and lepton sectors, parametrised by the CKM and PMNS phases. If one assumes that CP breaking arises from complex Yukawa couplings, both in the quark and lepton sectors, the above connection is not possible in general, since Yukawa couplings in the two sectors have independent flavour structures. We show that both the CKM and PMNS phases can instead be generated by a vacuum phase in a class of two Higgs doublet models, and in this case a connection may be established. This scenario requires the presence of scalar FCNC at tree level, both in the quark and lepton sectors. The appearance of these FCNC is an obstacle and a blessing. An obstacle since one has to analyse which models are able to conform to the strict experimental limits on FCNC, both in the quark and lepton sectors. A blessing, because this class of models is falsifiable since FCNC arise at a level which can be probed experimentally in the near future, specially in the processes $h\to e^\pmτ^\mp$ and $t\to h c$. The connection between CP violations in CKM and PMNS is explicitely illustrated in models with Minimal Flavour Violation.

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arXiv2021

Electron and muon $g-2$ anomalies in general flavour conserving two Higgs doublets models

In general two Higgs doublet models (2HDMs) without scalar flavour changing neutral couplings (SFCNC) in the lepton sector, the electron, muon and tau interactions can be decoupled in a robust framework, stable under renormalization group evolution. In this framework, the breaking of lepton flavour universality (LFU) goes beyond the mass proportionality, opening the possibility to accommodate a different behaviour among charged leptons. We analyze the electron and muon $(g-2)$ anomalies in the context of these general flavour conserving models in the leptonic sector (g$\ell$FC). We consider two different models, I-g$\ell$FC and II-g$\ell$FC, in which the quark Yukawa couplings coincide, respectively, with the ones in type I and in type II 2HDMs. We find two types of solutions that fully reproduce both $(g-2)$ anomalies, and which are compatible with experimental constraints from LEP and LHC, from LFU, from flavour and electroweak physics, and with theoretical constraints in the scalar sector. In the first type of solution, all the new scalars have masses in the 1--2.5 TeV range, the vacuum expectation values (vevs) of both doublets are quite similar in magnitude, and both anomalies are dominated by two loop Barr-Zee contributions. This solution appears in both models. In a second type of solution, one loop contributions are dominant in the muon anomaly, all new scalars have masses below 1 TeV, and the ratio of vevs is in the range 10--100. The second neutral scalar $H$ is the lighter among the new scalars, with a mass in the 210--390 GeV range while the pseudoscalar $A$ is the heavier, with a mass in the range 400--900 GeV. The new charged scalar $H^\pm$ is almost degenerate either with the scalar or with the pseudoscalar. This second type of solution only appears in the I-g$\ell$FC model. Both solutions require the soft breaking of the $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$ symmetry of the Higgs potential.

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arXiv2020

Extending Trinity to the Scalar Sector through Discrete Flavoured Symmetries

We conjecture the existence of a relation between elementary scalars and fermions, making it plausible the existence of three Higgs doublets. We introduce a Trinity Principle (TP) which, given the fact that there are no massless quarks, requires the existence of a minimum of three Higgs doublets. The TP states that each line of the mass matrix of a quark of a given charge should receive the contribution from one and only one scalar doublet and furthermore a given scalar doublet should contribute to one and only one line of the mass matrix of a quark of a given charge. This principle is analogous to the Natural Flavour Conservation (NFC) of Glashow and Weinberg with the key distinction that NFC required the introduction of a flavour blind symmetry, while the TP requires a flavoured symmetry, to be implemented in a natural way. We provide two examples which satisfy the Trinity Principle based on $\mathbb{Z}_3$ and $\mathbb{Z}_2\times\mathbb{Z}_2'$ flavoured symmetries, and show that they are the minimal multi-Higgs extensions of the Standard Model where CP can be imposed as a symmetry of the full Lagrangian and broken by the vacuum, without requiring soft-breaking terms. We show that the vacuum phases are sufficient to generate a complex CKM matrix, in agreement with experiment. The above mentioned flavoured symmetries lead to a strong reduction in the number of parameters in the Yukawa interactions, enabling a control of the Scalar Flavour Changing Neutral Couplings (SFCNC). We analyse some of the other physical implications of the two models, including an estimate of the enhancement of the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe provided by the new sources of CP violation, and a discussion of the the strength of their tree-level SFCNC.

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arXiv2019

CPT Violation in $\boldsymbol{B^0_s}$--$\boldsymbol{\bar B^0_s}$ mixing and the measurement of CP Violation in $\boldsymbol{B_s\to K^+K^-}$

A simple analysis of time-dependent $B_s\to K^+K^-$ transitions, based on recent results from the LHCb experiment, is presented. The benefits of adopting a fully consistent theoretical description of the $B^0_s$--$\bar B^0_s$ mixing are stressed. It is shown that bounds on CPT violation in the $B^0_s$--$\bar B^0_s$ system can be consistently obtained and that direct CP violation in $B_s\to K^+K^-$ can be robustly established, even in the presence of CPT violation in the mixing.

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arXiv2018

Vacuum Induced CP Violation Generating a Complex CKM Matrix with Controlled Scalar FCNC

We propose a viable minimal model with spontaneous CP violation in the framework of a Two Higgs Doublet Model. The model is based on a generalised Branco-Grimus-Lavoura model with a flavoured $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry, under which two of the quark families are even and the third one is odd. The lagrangian respects CP invariance, but the vacuum has a CP violating phase, which is able to generate a complex CKM matrix, with the rephasing invariant strength of CP violation compatible with experiment. The question of scalar mediated flavour changing neutral couplings is carefully studied. In particular we point out a deep connection between the generation of a complex CKM matrix from a vacuum phase and the appearance of scalar FCNC. The scalar sector is presented in detail, showing that the new scalars are necessarily lighter than 1 TeV. A complete analysis of the model including the most relevant constraints is performed, showing that it is viable and that it has definite implications for the observation of New Physics signals in, for example, flavour changing Higgs decays or the discovery of the new scalars at the LHC. We give special emphasis to processes like $t\to {\rm h} c,{\rm h} u$, as well as ${\rm h}\to bs, bd$, which are relevant for the LHC and the ILC.

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arXiv2018

Flavour Conservation in Two Higgs Doublet Models

In extensions of the Standard Model with two Higgs doublets, flavour changing Yukawa couplings of the neutral scalars may be present at tree level. In this work we consider the most general scenario in which those flavour changing couplings are absent. We re-analyse the conditions that the Yukawa coupling matrices must obey for such \emph{general flavour conservation} (gFC), and study the one loop renormalisation group evolution of such conditions in both the quark and lepton sectors. We show that gFC in the leptonic sector is one loop stable under the Renormalization Group Evolution (RGE) and in the quark sector we present some new Cabibbo like solution also one loop RGE stable. At a phenomenological level, we obtain the regions for the different gFC parameters that are allowed by the existing experimental constraints related to the 125 GeV Higgs.

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arXiv2018

Symmetry Constrained Two Higgs Doublet Models

We study Two-Higgs-Doublet Models (2HDM) where Abelian symmetries have been introduced, leading to a drastic reduction in the number of free parameters in the 2HDM. Our analysis is inspired in BGL models, where, as the result of a symmetry of the Lagrangian, there are tree-level scalar mediated Flavour-Changing-Neutral-Currents, with the flavour structure depending only on the CKM matrix. A systematic analysis is done on the various possible schemes, which are classified in different classes, depending on the way the extra symmetries constrain the matrices of couplings defining the flavour structure of the scalar mediated neutral currents. All the resulting flavour textures of the Yukawa couplings are stable under renormalisation since they result from symmetries imposed at the Lagrangian level. We also present a brief phenomenological analysis of the most salient features of each class of symmetry constrained 2HDM.

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arXiv2017

Singlet Heavy Fermions as the Origin of B Anomalies in Flavour Changing Neutral Currents

We show that a simple extension of the Standard Model involving the introduction of vector-like quarks and heavy neutrinos, provides an explanation of the so called B-anomalies in $b\to s\ell\bar\ell$ transitions. Vector-like quarks can explain, in the context of a discrete flavour symmetry, all the relevant characteristics of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa sector. It is in this framework that we study the requirements on the masses of the vector like quarks and the heavy neutrinos leading to viable models with sufficient deviations of lepton flavour universality and which simultaneously avoid too large Flavour Changing Neutral Current effects. Related predictions on $b\to d\ell\bar\ell$ and $s\to d\ell\bar\ell$ transitions are also analysed in detail.

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arXiv2017

Controlled Flavour Changing Neutral Couplings in Two Higgs Doublet Models

We propose a class of Two Higgs Doublet Models where there are Flavour Changing Neutral Currents (FCNC) at tree level, but under control due to the introduction of a discrete symmetry in the full Lagrangian. It is shown that in this class of models, one can have simultaneously FCNC in the up and down sectors, in contrast to the situation encountered in BGL models. The intensity of FCNC is analysed and it is shown that in this class of models one can respect all the strong constraints from experiment without unnatural fine-tuning. It is pointed out that the additional sources of flavour and CP violation are such that they can enhance significantly the generation of the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe, with respect to the Standard Model.

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arXiv2016

The signal of ill-defined CPT weakening entanglement in the $B_d$ system

In the presence of quantum gravity fluctuations (space-time foam), the CPT operator may be ill-defined. Its perturbative treatment leads to a modification of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlation of the neutral meson system by adding an Entanglement-weakening term of the wrong exchange symmetry, the $ω$-effect. In the current paper we identify how to probe the complex $ω$ in the entangled $B_d$-system using Flavour(f)-CP(g) eigenstate decay channels: the connection between the Intensities for the two time-ordered decays (f, g) and (g, f) is lost. Appropriate observables are constructed allowing independent experimental determinations of Re($ω$) and Im($ω$), disentangled from CPT violation in the evolution Hamiltonian Re($θ$) and Im($θ$). 2-$σ$ tensions for both Re($θ$) and Im($ω$) are shown to be uncorrelated.

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arXiv2016

Vector-like Quarks at the Origin of Light Quark Masses and Mixing

We show how a novel fine-tuning problem present in the Standard Model can be solved through the introduction of a single flavour symmetry G, together with three $Q = - 1/3$ quarks, three $Q = 2/3$ quarks, as well as a complex singlet scalar. The symmetry G is extended to the additional fields and it is an exact symmetry of the Lagrangian, only spontaneously broken by the vacuum. Specific examples are given and a phenomenological analysis of the main features of the model is presented. It is shown that even for vector-like quarks with masses accessible at the LHC, one can have realistic quark masses and mixing, while respecting the strict constraints on process arising from flavour changing neutral currents (FCNC). The vector-like quark decay channels are also described.

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