In this research project, precision measurements of rare processes involving heavy quarks and leptons are being employed to search for new phenomena beyond the Standard Model, commonly referred to as New Physics. This research at the intensity frontier complements the exploration of the energy frontier conducted at the LHC proton-proton collider.
Recent results from three major experiments—LHCb, BaBar, and Belle—have revealed intriguing discrepancies between their observations and Standard Model predictions in specific classes of B meson decays involving leptons in the final state. The present project addresses these anomalies using large data samples collected with the Belle II detector at the SuperKEKB electron-positron collider.
By analyzing a wide selection of rare decays of B and D mesons, the project aims to rigorously test the principle of Lepton Flavour Universality—one of the foundational pillars of our understanding of fundamental particle interactions. Depending on the findings, the later phases of the project will focus on potential theoretical interpretations and on studying related transitions that could point to new physics phenomena.
In parallel, the project includes the development of novel, state-of-the-art methods for charged particle identification. These techniques are essential for suppressing background signals from more common decay processes, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of measurements in the rare decay channels most likely to reveal New Physics.
Details about the project can be found here.
