An extension of the Standard Model by at least one extra U(1) gauge symmetry has been investigated by many authors. In this paper we explore the possibility that this extra U(1) is anomalous. One of the possible signatures of this model could be given by the photons produced in the decays of the NLSP into the LSP.
We study low energy implications of F-theory GUT models based on $SU(5)$ extended by a $U(1)$ symmetry which couples non-universally to the three families of quarks and leptons. This gauge group arises naturally from the maximal exceptional gauge symmetry of an elliptically fibred internal space, at a single point of enhancement, $E_8supset SU(5)times SU(5)supset SU(5)times U(1)^4$. Rank-one fermion mass textures and a tree-level top quark coupling are guaranteed by imposing a $Z_2$ monodromy group which identifies two abelian factors of the above breaking sequence. The $U(1)$ factor of the gauge symmetry is an anomaly free linear combination of the three remaining abelian symmetries left over by $Z_2$. Several classes of models are obtained, distinguished with respect to the $U(1)$ charges of the representations, and possible extra zero modes coming in vector-like representations. The predictions of these models are investigated and are compared with the LHC results and other related experiments. Particular cases interpreting the B-meson anomalies observed in LHCb and BaBar experiments are also discussed.
Applying the method of light-cone sum rules with photon distribution amplitudes, we compute the subleading-power correction to the radiative leptonic $B to gamma ell u$ decay, at next-to-leading order in QCD for the twist-two contribution and at leading order in $alpha_s$ for the higher-twist contributions, induced by the hadronic component of the collinear photon. The leading-twist hadronic photon effect turns out to preserve the symmetry relation between the two $B to gamma$ form factors due to the helicity conservation, however, the higher-twist hadronic photon corrections can yield symmetry-breaking effect already at tree level in QCD. Using the conformal expansion of photon distribution amplitudes with the non-perturbative parameters estimated from QCD sum rules, the twist-two hadronic photon contribution can give rise to approximately 30% correction to the leading-power direct photon effect computed from the perturbative QCD factorization approach. In contrast, the subleading-power corrections from the higher-twist two-particle and three-particle photon distribution amplitudes are estimated to be of ${cal O} (3 sim 5%)$ with the light-cone sum rule approach. We further predict the partial branching fractions of $B to gamma ell u $ with a photon-energy cut $E_{gamma} geq E_{rm cut}$, which are of interest for determining the inverse moment of the leading-twist $B$-meson distribution amplitude thanks to the forthcoming high-luminosity Belle II experiment at KEK.
We study supersymmetric scenarios where the dark matter is the gaugino of an unbroken hidden U(1) which interacts with the visible world only via a small kinetic mixing with the hypercharge. Strong constraints on the parameter space can be derived from avoiding overclosure of the Universe and from requiring successful Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and structure formation. We find that for typical values of the mixing parameter, scenarios with neutralino NLSP are excluded, while scenarios with slepton NLSP are allowed when the mixing parameter lies in the range chi~O(10^(-13) - 10^(-10)). We also show that if the gravitino is the LSP and the hidden U(1) gaugino the NLSP, the bounds on the reheating temperature from long lived charged MSSM relics can be considerably relaxed and we comment on the signatures of these scenarios at future colliders. Finally, we discuss the case of an anomalously small mixing, chi<<10^(-16), where the neutralino becomes a decaying dark matter candidate, and derive constraints from gamma ray experiments.
Inspired by recent studies of high-scale decay constant or flavorful QCD axions, we review and clarify their existence in effective string models with anomalous $U(1)$ gauge groups. We find that such models, when coupled to charged scalars getting vacuum expectation values, always have one light axion, whose mass can only come from nonperturbative effects. If the main nonperturbative effect is from QCD, then it becomes a Peccei-Quinn axion candidate for solving the strong CP problem. We then study simple models with universal Green-Schwarz mechanism and only one charged scalar field: in the minimal gaugino condensation case the axion mass is tied to the supersymmetry breaking scale and cannot be light enough, but slightly refined models maintain a massless axion all the way down to the QCD scale. Both kinds of models can be extended to yield intermediate scale axion decay constants. Finally, we gauge flavorful axion models under an anomalous $U(1)$ and discuss the axion couplings which arise.
We explore the possibility of having a fermionic dark matter candidate within $U(1)$ models for CE$ u$NS experiments in light of the latest COHERENT data and the current and future dark matter direct detection experiments. A vector-like fermionic dark matter has been introduced which is charged under $U(1)$ symmetry, naturally stable after spontaneous symmetry breaking. We perform a complementary investigation using CE$ u$NS experiments and dark matter direct detection searches to explore dark matter as well as $Z^{prime}$ boson parameter space. Depending on numerous other constraints arising from the beam dump, LHCb, BABAR, and the forthcoming reactor experiment proposed by the SBC collaboration, we explore the allowed region of $Z^{prime}$ portal dark matter.