119216758
Axigluons cannot explain the observed top quark forward-backward asymmetry
We study an SU(3){sup 2} axigluon model introduced by Frampton, Shu, and Wang [Phys. Lett. B 683, 294 (2010)] to explain the recent Fermilab Tevatron observation of a significant positive enhancement in the top quark forward-backward asymmetry relative to standard model predictions. First, we demonstrate that data on neutral B{sub d}-meson mixing excludes the region of model parameter space where the top asymmetry is predicted to be the largest. Keeping the gauge couplings below the critical value that would lead to fermion condensation imposes further limits at large axigluon mass, while precision electroweak constraints on the model are relatively mild. Furthermore, by considering an extension to an SU(3){sup 3} color group, we demonstrate that embedding the model in an extra-dimensional framework can only dilute the axigluon effect on the forward-backward asymmetry. We conclude that axigluon models are unlikely to be the source of the observed top quark asymmetry.
119418089
Phenomenology of a technicolor model with heavy scalar doublet
Abstract Rather than having a light scalar both break SU(2) × U(1) and give mass to the fermions, as in the standard model, it is possible to use technicolor to do the first while a heavy (∼ 10 TeV) scalar does the second. The impact of such a heavy scalar on FCNC in the Kaon and B-meson systems is explored here.
118671365
Technipion Limits from LHC Higgs Searches
LHC searches for the standard model Higgs Boson in di-photon or di-tau decay modes place strong constraints on the light top-pion state predicted in technicolor models that include colored technifermions. Compared with the standard Higgs Boson, the top-pions have an enhanced production rate (largely because the technipion decay constant is smaller than the weak scale) and also enhanced branching ratios into di-photon and di-tau final states (largely due to the suppression of WW decays of the technipions). These factors combine to make the technipions more visible in both channels than a standard model Higgs would be. Hence, the recent ATLAS and CMS searches for Higgs bosons exclude the presence of technipions with masses from 110 GeV to nearly twice the top-quark mass in technicolor models that (a) include colored technifermions (b) feature topcolor dynamics and (c) have technicolor groups with three or more technicolors. For certain models, the limits also apply out to higher technipion masses or down to the minimum number of technicolors. The limits may be softened somewhat in models where extended technicolor plays a significant role in producing the top quark's mass. Additional LHC data on di-tau and di-photon final states will be extremely valuable in further exploring technicolor parameter space.
199660803
The Limits of Custodial Symmetry
We introduce a toy model implementing the proposal of using a custodial symmetry to protect the Z b_L bbar_L coupling from large corrections. This "doublet-extended standard model" adds a weak doublet of fermions (including a heavy partner of the top quark) to the particle content of the standard model in order to implement an O(4) x U(1)_X = SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R x P_LR x U(1)_X symmetry in the top-quark mass generating sector. This symmetry is softly broken to the gauged SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y electroweak symmetry by a Dirac mass M for the new doublet; adjusting the value of M allows us to explore the range of possibilities between the O(4)-symmetric (M to 0) and standard-model-like (M to infinity) limits.
18592130
Thinking About Top: Looking Outside The Standard Model ∗
The top quark is by far the heaviest known fermion [1]. In consequence, experiment is just beginning to explore its properties, and some of them may yet prove to be distinctly non-standard. The very size of the top quark’s mass even hints at the possibility of a special role for top in electroweak symmetry breaking. This talk examines the top quark in the context of physics beyond the standard model, and discusses how Run II can help elucidate the true nature of top.
118611256
Hypercharge-Universal Topcolor
We propose and discuss the phenomenology of a topcolor-assisted technicolor model with a flavor-universal hypercharge sector. After discussing the symmetry-breaking pattern and low-energy effective Lagrangian, we examine various experimental and theoretical constraints, finding that precision electroweak measurements yield the strongest bounds on the model. We perform a combined fit to all available $Z$-pole and LEP2 data and find that the goodness of fit for hypercharge-universal topcolor is comparable to that of the standard model. In contrast, topcolor-assisted technicolor models with a flavor nonuniversal hypercharge sector are markedly disfavored by the data.
88510456
Experimental study of β -delayed proton decay of Al 23 for nucleosynthesis in novae
The {beta}-delayed {gamma} and proton decay of {sup 23}Al has been studied with an alternative detector setup at the focal plane of the momentum achromat recoil separator MARS at Texas A and M University. We could detect protons down to an energy of 200 keV and determine the corresponding branching ratios. Contrary to results of previous {beta}-decay studies, no strong proton intensity from the decay of the isobaric analog state (IAS) of the {sup 23}Al ground state at E{sub x}=7803 keV in {sup 23}Mg was observed. Instead we assign the observed low-energy group E{sub p,c.m.}=206 keV to the decay from a state that is 16 keV below the IAS. We measured both proton and gamma branches from the decay of this state at E{sub x}=7787 keV in {sup 23}Mg, which is a very rare case in the literature. Combining our data with its measured lifetime, we determine its resonance strength to be {omega}{gamma}=1.4{sub -0.4}{sup +0.5} meV. The value is in agreement with older direct measurements, but disagrees with a recent direct measurement. This state is the most important resonance for the radiative proton capture {sup 22}Na(p,{gamma}){sup 23}Mg in some astrophysical environments, such as novae.