Probing the $\Lambda_{b}\to \Lambda_{c}^{*}\tau \bar{\nu}_{\tau}$ decays with leptoquarks

TL;DR

This paper investigates how scalar and vector leptoquarks could influence baryonic $ au$ decay channels of $ ext{Lambda}_b$ to $ ext{Lambda}_c^*$ states, providing new insights into potential physics beyond the standard model.

Contribution

It analyzes the impact of specific leptoquarks on $ ext{Lambda}_b$ decays using recent lattice QCD data and constrains leptoquark couplings with experimental results.

Findings

Leptoquarks significantly affect the decay observables.

The ratio $R_{ ext{Lambda}_c^*}$ is highly sensitive to leptoquark effects.

Constraints on leptoquark couplings are established from current data.

Abstract

The extension of the standard model to include a single scalar or vector leptoquark has been shown to account for the observed deviations in the lepton flavor universality ratios in the $b \to c \ell \nu_{\ell}$ and $b \to s \ell \ell$ transitions. Exploring new physics in the $b \to c \tau \nu_{\tau}$ decays, in this work we analyze the baryonic decay channels $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_{c}^{*}(2595,2625) \tau^- \bar{\nu}_\tau$ beyond the standard model. Specifically, we investigate the role of leptoquarks in these decays, focusing on the $U_1$ vector leptoquark and the $S_1$ scalar leptoquark. Employing recent lattice QCD results for the $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_{c}^{*}$ form factors, the helicity amplitudes for all possible four-fermion interactions are worked out explicitly and presented here. Utilizing the current $b \to c \ell \nu_{\ell}$ experimental data, we impose constraints on the leptoquark couplings and test new physics sensitivity of various observables for the decay processes under consideration. Our analysis demonstrates the significance of testing the lepton flavor universality ratio $R_{\Lambda_{c}^{*}}$ as it is observed to be particularly sensitive to these leptoquarks.