We point out that a QCD-like dark sector can be coupled to the Standard Model by gauging the topological Skyrme current, which measures the dark baryon number in the infrared, to give a technically natural model for dark matter. This coupling allows for a semi-annihilation process $\chi \chi \rightarrow \chi X_\mu$, where $X_\mu$ is the gauge boson mediator and $\chi$ a dark pion field, which plays the dominant role in setting the dark matter relic abundance. The topological interaction is purely $p$-wave and so free from indirect detection constraints. We show that the dark matter pion mass needs to be in the range $10$ MeV $\lesssim m_\chi \lesssim$ $1$ TeV; towards the lighter end of this range, there can moreover be significant self-interactions. We discuss prospects for probing this scenario at collider experiments, ranging from the LHC to low-energy $e^+ e^-$ colliders, future Higgs factories, and beam-dump experiments.

We discuss a set of precision observables that can probe the existence of a light particle $X$ coupled to electrons in the mass range of 1--100 MeV. As a case study, we consider the recent excess of $e^+e^-$ final-state events at $\sqrt{s} = 16.9$ MeV reported by the PADME collaboration. Interestingly, this mass is tantalizingly close to the invariant mass at which anomalous $e^+e^-$ pair production has previously been observed in nuclear transitions from excited to ground states by the ATOMKI collaboration. For the scenario in which the new particle has a vector coupling to electrons, we show that the PADME excess is already in tension with constraints from the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron and the non-observation of the exotic pion and muon decays $\pi^+\to e^+ \nu X$ and $\mu^+ \to e^+ \bar\nu_\mu\nu_e X$ at the SINDRUM experiment. Further improvements in the measurement of the electron $g$-2, together with upcoming results from the Mu3e and PIONEER experiments, are expected to definitively probe this scenario in the near future. We also explore alternative possibilities where the new particle has scalar, pseudoscalar, or axial-vector couplings.

We classify the physical operators of the most general bosonic effective gauge theory up to dimension six using on-shell methods. Based on this classification, we compute the complete one-loop anomalous dimension employing both on-shell unitarity-based and geometric techniques. Our analysis fully accounts for the mixing of operators with different dimensions. The results broadly apply to any Effective Field Theory with arbitrary gauge symmetry and bosonic degrees of freedom. To illustrate their utility, we perform a complete cross-check of results on the renormalization of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), $O(n)$ scalar theory, and the SMEFT extended with an axion-like particle. Additionally, we present new results for axion-like particles with CP-violating interactions.

Abstract A dedicated run of a future electron-positron collider (FCC-ee) at a center-of-mass energy equal to the Higgs boson mass would enable a direct measurement of the electron Yukawa coupling. However, it poses substantial experimental difficulties due to large backgrounds, the requirement for monochromatised e + e − beams, and the potential extension of the FCC-ee timeline. Given this, we explore the extent to which the electron Yukawa coupling can be enhanced in simplified UV models and examine whether such scenarios can be constrained by other FCC-ee runs or upcoming experiments at the intensity frontier. Our results indicate that in certain classes of models, the (g − 2) e provides a probe of the electron Yukawa coupling that is as effective or better than the FCC-ee. Nevertheless, there exist models that can lead to sizeable deviations in the electron Yukawa coupling which can only be probed in a dedicated run at the Higgs pole mass.

Abstract We investigate models that can induce significant modifications to the couplings of first- and second-generation quarks with Higgs bosons. Specifically, we identify all simplified models featuring two vector-like quark states which can lead to substantial enhancements in these couplings. In addition, these models generate operators in Standard Model Effective Field Theory, both at tree-level and one-loop, that are constrained by electroweak precision and Higgs data. We show how to evade constraints from flavour physics and consider direct searches for vector-like quarks. Ultimately, we demonstrate that viable ultraviolet models can be found with first-generation quark Yukawa couplings enhanced by several hundred times their Standard Model value, while the Higgs couplings to charm (strange) quarks can be increased by factors of a few (few tens). Given the importance of electroweak precision data in constraining these models, we also discuss projections for future measurements at the Tera-Z FCC-ee machine.

Abstract Beyond Standard Model scenarios addressing the flavor puzzle and the hierarchy problem generally predict dominant new physics couplings with fermions of the third generation. In this Letter, we explore the collider and astrophysical signatures of new light scalar and pseudoscalar particles dominantly coupled to the τ-lepton. The best experimental prospects are expected at Belle II through the e + e − → τ + τ − γγ, τ + τ − γ, 3γ, mono–γ processes, and the τ anomalous magnetic moment. The correlated effects in these searches can unambiguously point toward the underlying new physics dynamics. Moreover, we study astrophysics bounds — especially from core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers — finding them particularly effective and complementary to collider bounds. We carry out this program in the well-motivated context of axion-like particles as well as generic CP-even and CP-odd particles, highlighting possible ways to discriminate among them.

We propose a unique topological portal between quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and a dark sector characterized by a global symmetry breaking, which connects three QCD to two dark pions. When gauged, it serves as the leading portal between the two sectors, providing an elegant, self-consistent scenario of light thermal inelastic dark matter. The inherent antisymmetrization leads to diminished annihilations at later times and suppressed direct detection. However, novel collider signatures offer tremendous prospects for discovery at Belle II.

We analyze the signatures of new physics scenarios featuring third-family quark-lepton unification at the TeV scale in lepton-quark fusion at hadron colliders. Working with complete UV dynamics based on the SU(4) gauge symmetry in the third-family fermions, we simulate the resonant production of a vector leptoquark at the next-to-leading order, including its decay and matching to the parton showers. The precise theoretical control over this production channel allows us to set robust bounds on the vector leptoquark parameter space which are complementary to the other production channels at colliders. We emphasize the importance of the resonant channel in future searches and discuss the impact of variations in the model space depending on the flavor structure of the vector leptoquark couplings.

We analyze the compatibility of the hypothesis of third-family quark-lepton unification at the TeV scale with electroweak precision data, lepton flavor universality tests, and high-pT constraints. We work within the framework of the UV complete flavor non-universal 4321 gauge model, which is matched at one loop to the Standard Model Effective Field Theory. For consistency, all electroweak precision observables are also computed at one loop within the effective field theory. At tree level, the most sizeable corrections are to W → τντ and Z → ντντ due to integrating out a pseudo-Dirac singlet fermion required by the model for neutrino mass generation. At loop level, the new colored states of the model generate large flavor-universal contributions to the electroweak precision observables via leading- and next-to-leading log running effects, yielding a significant improvement in the electroweak fit (including an increase in the W-boson mass). These effects cannot be decoupled if the model addresses the charged-current B-meson anomalies. Overall, we find good compatibility between the data sets, while simultaneously satisfying all low- and high-energy constraints.