PhD project: QED correction to rare and semileptonic B/D decays
Project description
Quantum electrodynamic (QED) corrections to beauty and charm ($B$- and $D$-mesons) are by a large part in their infancy. Albeit the small fine structure constant such corrections can be sizeable because of non or partial cancellation of infrared divergences (large logarithms) between virtual and real emission diagrams (e.g. Kinoshita-Lee-Nauenberg theorem).
So far most/all approaches approximate the $B$-meson as an elementary particle with regards to the photon coupling. The aim of this thesis is to develop, together with the advisor, a framework where this can be overcome.
Besides being an interesting theoretical topic this is currently of particular relevance as several ratios of observables of the type $R_K= \Gamma[B \to K \mu^+\mu^-]/\Gamma[B \to K e^+e^-]$ have shown deviations from the Standard Model predictions.These results challenge the Lepton Flavour Universality (LFU) principle of the Standard Model. https://cerncourier.com/a/beauty-quarks-test-lepton-universality/This has given rise to speculations (in form research papers) about New Physics beyond the Standard Model which can be connected to other puzzles of particle physics such as the Dark Matter problem.Ratios such as $R_K$ are unique sensitive probes of the Standard Model (free from hadronic uncertainties) up to QED-corrections nota bene.
The aim of this thesis is to clarify these experimental results, which will see further improvement by the LHCb- and BelleII-experiment, within a new theoretical framework.
Project supervisor
- Professor Roman Zwicky (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisor welcomes informal enquiries about this project.
Find out more about this research area
The links below summarise our research in the area(s) relevant to this project:
- Find out more about Flavour Physics.
- Find out more about Particle Physics Theory.
- Find out more about the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics.
What next?
- Find out how to apply for our PhD degrees.
- Find out about fees and funding and studentship opportunities.
- View and complete the application form (on the main University website).
- Find out how to contact us for more information.