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New Insights on CP Violation and Quark Interactions

Exploring how new physics may affect CP violation in quark behavior.

― 6 min read


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In particle physics, the behavior of quarks is a central topic. Quarks come in different types, or "flavours," and the interactions between them can lead to interesting effects, especially concerning something called CP Violation. CP violation occurs when the laws of physics do not remain the same when particles are replaced by their antiparticles and when their spatial coordinates are inverted. This phenomenon is important for understanding the matter-antimatter imbalance in the universe.

This article discusses new physics that may influence CP violation in transitions of quarks. We focus on scenarios where heavy particles exist beyond what is described by the Standard Model of particle physics. By looking at how these new interactions can change our understanding of quark behavior, we hope to shed light on the fundamental processes that govern particle interactions.

Background on CP Violation

CP violation has fascinated scientists since it was first noticed in the 1960s. It was observed mainly in the behavior of certain decaying particles, particularly in kaon Mesons. Theoretically, CP violation occurs within the framework of the Standard Model, mainly due to the complex nature of the CKM matrix, which describes how quarks change from one flavour to another. However, the observed level of CP violation is much smaller than what might be expected, leading to questions about whether there are additional sources of CP violation beyond the Standard Model.

One significant issue in the study of CP violation is the so-called strong CP problem. This relates to the very small electric dipole moment (EDM) observed in the Neutron, which presents a puzzle since theories suggest it should be much larger. New physics might provide answers to these unsolved questions.

New Physics and Effective Field Theory

New physics refers to theories and ideas that extend beyond the current understanding represented by the Standard Model. One tool used to explore these theories is the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), which allows scientists to examine how additional interactions can affect measurable quantities without needing to know the details of the high-energy physics.

In SMEFT, certain operators are introduced that capture the essence of these new interactions. These operators can include both dimension-six operators, which have a significant influence at low energies, and higher-order terms. We can study how these operators evolve and interact through processes known as renormalization group (RG) evolution.

Understanding Dipole Moments and Flavour Transitions

Dipole moments are indicators of how a particle behaves in an electric or magnetic field. For quarks, Electric Dipole Moments are particularly important as their size can provide insight into CP violation. The goal of studying quark dipole moments is to observe how they change with contributions from new physics.

Flavour transitions are also central to our exploration. When quarks change from one flavour to another, it can happen through processes that might involve CP violation. Understanding these transitions is key to connecting new physics scenarios with observable effects.

Connections Between High-Energy Physics and Low-Energy Observables

We aim to link the high-energy interactions resulting from new physics with necessary low-energy observables. By establishing how these operators affect measurable quantities, we can place limits on the possible effects of new physics in the world of particles.

We can examine contributions to electric dipole moments and other CP-violating processes. By focusing on specific experimental measurements, we can derive constraints on the coefficients of the relevant operators within the SMEFT framework.

Exploring Correlations and Bounds

When considering new physics, it's essential to explore how different processes might be correlated. For example, we can study how changes in one type of transition may influence others. By investigating these correlations, we can determine which processes are most sensitive to new physics.

Using available experimental data, we can set bounds on the coefficients associated with the operators in our effective theory. These bounds serve as limits for the strength of new interactions and give us a clearer picture of the allowable parameters range.

Phenomenology of CP Violation in Double Quark Transitions

Phenomenology, the study of observable effects, plays a crucial role in understanding how CP violation can occur in quark dipole transitions. We focus on specific processes, examining the interplay between what we observe in experiments and the theoretical predictions.

Several CP-violating processes can be analyzed:

  1. Neutron and Electron Electric Dipole Moments: These quantities are sensitive indicators of CP violation and can reveal the underlying physics governing particle interactions. Measurements of these moments may guide us in determining the presence of new physics.

  2. Rare Decays of Mesons: Observing meson decays gives us valuable insights into flavor-changing processes. By studying how these decays occur and their relation to CP violation, we can further constrain models of new physics.

  3. Neutral Meson Oscillations: The behavior of neutral mesons in oscillations can provide hints about the underlying flavor dynamics. These oscillation patterns reflect the interactions at play and can indicate the influence of new interactions.

  4. Direct CP Violation Measurements: Observables derived from direct measurements of CP violation in specific decays help refine our understanding of how new physics might manifest within observable processes.

Model Building and Future Directions

The insights gained from this study could assist in constructing models of new physics that incorporate CP violation. By targeting specific experimental observables, we can refine the theories that best explain the data.

Future experiments are essential for improving the knowledge around CP violation and its connection with quark flavor dynamics. As new data emerges, it can open paths for the discovery of novel physics beyond the Standard Model.

Summary

CP violation represents a key area in particle physics, and the exploration of new physics can significantly enhance our understanding. By examining flavor-changing quark transitions and applying effective field theory, we can connect high-energy interactions with observable phenomena. This approach allows us to set bounds on new physics possibilities and build models that accommodate the observed behavior of quarks.

The interplay between different processes, the role of dipole moments, and the significance of flavour transitions reflect the complexity of the topic. Continued research and future experiments are vital for deciphering the mysteries of CP violation and the broader implications for our understanding of the universe.

Original Source

Title: New Physics in CP Violating and Flavour Changing Quark Dipole Transitions

Abstract: We explore CP-violating (CPV) effects of heavy New Physics in flavour-changing quark dipole transitions, within the framework of Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT). First, we establish the relevant dimension six operators and consider the Renormalisation Group (RG) evolution of the appropriate Wilson coefficients. We investigate RG-induced correlations between different flavour-violating processes and electric dipole moments (EDMs) within the Minimal Flavour Violating and $U(2)^3$ quark flavour models. At low energies, we set bounds on the Wilson coefficients of the dipole operators using CPV induced contributions to observables in non-leptonic and radiative $B$, $D$ and $K$ decays as well as the neutron and electron EDMs. This enables us to connect observable CPV effects at low energies and general NP appearing at high scales. We present bounds on the Wilson coefficients of the relevant SMEFT operators at the high scale $\Lambda = 5~{\rm TeV}$, and discuss most sensitive CPV observables for future experimental searches.

Authors: Svjetlana Fajfer, Jernej F. Kamenik, Nejc Košnik, Aleks Smolkovič, Michele Tammaro

Last Update: 2023-06-28 00:00:00

Language: English

Source URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.16471

Source PDF: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2306.16471

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Changes: This summary was created with assistance from AI and may have inaccuracies. For accurate information, please refer to the original source documents linked here.

Thank you to arxiv for use of its open access interoperability.

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