Where is the LUV? Indirect searches for new particles/interactions at LHCb

Speaker: Dr Lucia Grillo, University of Glasgow

The Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment is designed to search for effects of physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics through precision measurements using beauty- and charm-hadron decays. With large branching fractions and controllable theoretical uncertainties, decays of beauty hadrons to lighter hadrons and leptons (known as semileptonic decays) are excellent tools to make precise measurements of beauty- and charm-hadron properties, for studying nonperturbative quantum chromodynamics effects, and to challenge the principles of the SM.

For example, one of the pillars of the SM is the universality of the weak force coupling to leptons, i.e. the coupling strength is the same to the electron as to its heavier partners, the muon and tau. An observation of a departure from this principle, Lepton Universality Violation (LUV) would be an unambiguous sign of New Physics. Recent measurements have hinted at the breakdown of lepton universality, necessitating more precise and complementary measurements, exploiting different systems.

This lecture will present the methods and challenges of measurements using semileptonic b-hadron decays, including the most recent experimental results.

There is no requirement to pre-register for this event. It is requested that if you feel unwell or have symptoms of COVID, you do not attend. Mask wearing is encouraged but not mandatory. Doors will be open from 7pm and refreshments will be available. The talk begins at 7.30pm.