Combined Explanation of the $Z\to b\bar b$ Forward-Backward Asymmetry, the Cabibbo Angle Anomaly, $\tau\to\mu\nu\nu$ and $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ Data

TL;DR

This paper proposes a minimal extension of the Standard Model with heavy vector-like quarks, scalars, and a gauged $L_-_ au$ symmetry to simultaneously explain multiple flavor anomalies and asymmetries with a significantly improved fit.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, unified model that accounts for several flavor anomalies and asymmetries, achieving a 6.1 sigma better fit than the Standard Model.

Findings

Excellent fit to data, 6.1 sigma better than SM

Explains $Z o bar b$ asymmetry and CAA

Accounts for $b o sell$ anomalies

Abstract

In this article we propose a simple model which can provide a combined explanation of the $Z\to b\bar b$ forward-backward asymmetry, the Cabibbo Angle Anomaly (CAA), $\tau\to\mu\nu\nu$ and $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ data. This model is obtained by extending the Standard Model (SM) by two heavy vector-like quarks (an $SU(2)_L$ doublet (singlet) with hypercharge $-5/6$ (-1/3)), two new scalars (a neutral and a singly charged one) and a gauged $L_\mu-L_\tau$ symmetry. The mixing of the new quarks with the SM ones, after electroweak symmetry breaking, does not only explain $Z\to b\bar b$ data but also generates a lepton flavour universal contribution to $b\to s\ell^+\ell^-$ transitions. Together with the lepton flavour universality violating effect, generated by loop-induced $Z^\prime$ penguins involving the charged scalar and the heavy quarks, it gives an excellent fit to data ($6.1\,\sigma$ better than the SM). Furthermore, the charged scalar (neutral vector) gives a necessarily constructive tree-level (loop) effect in $\mu\to e\nu\nu$ ($\tau\to \mu\nu\nu$), which can naturally account for the CAA (${\rm Br}[\tau\to\mu\nu\nu]/{\rm Br}[\tau\to e\nu\nu]$ and ${\rm Br}[\tau\to\mu\nu\nu]/{\rm Br}[\mu\to e\nu\nu]$).