Effective four-fermion operators in top physics: a roadmap

We write down a minimal basis for dimension-six gauge-invariant four-fermion operators, with some operator replacements with respect to previous ones which make it simpler for calculations. Using this basis we classify all four-fermion operator contributions involving one or two top quarks. Taking into account the different fermion chiralities, possible colour contractions and independent flavour combinations, a total number of 572 gauge-invariant operators are involved. We apply this to calculate all three-body top decay widths t -> d_k u_i dbar_j, t -> d_k e_i+ nu_j, t -> u_k u_i ubar_j, t -> u_k e_j+ e_i-, t -> u_k nu_j nu_i (with i,j,k generation indices) mediated by dimension-six four-fermion operators, including the interference with the Standard Model amplitudes when present. All single top production cross sections in pp, p pbar and e+ e- collisions are calculated as well, namely u_i d_k -> d_j t, dbar_j d_k -> ubar_i t, u_i dbar_j -> dbar_k t, u_i u_k -> u_j t, u_i ubar_j -> ubar_k t, e+ e- -> ubar_k t and the charge conjugate processes. We also compute all top pair production cross sections, ubar_i u_j -> t tbar, dbar_i d_j -> t tbar, u_i u_j -> t t and e+ e- -> t tbar. Our results are completely general, without assuming any particular relation among effective operator coefficients.Comment: LaTeX 43 pages, 1 PS figure. Cross sections for uu,cc -> tt correcte

Model-independent measurement of the top quark polarisation

We introduce a new asymmetry in the decay t -> W b -> l nu b, which is shown to be directly proportional to the polarisation of the top quark along a chosen axis, times a sum of W helicity fractions. The latter have already been precisely measured at the Tevatron and the Large Hadron Collider. Therefore, this new asymmetry can be used to obtain a model-independent measurement of the polarisation of top quarks produced in any process at hadron or lepton colliders.Comment: LaTeX 12 pages. Discussion expanded with a new plot, references added. Final version to appear in PL

Quasinormal modes of Unruh's Acoustic Black Hole

We have studied the sound perturbation of Unruh's acoustic geometry and we present an exact expression for the quasinormal modes of this geometry. We are obtain that the quasinormal frequencies are pure-imaginary, that give a purely damped modes.Comment: 5 Page

W polarisation beyond helicity fractions in top quark decays

We calculate the density matrix for the decay of a polarised top quark into a polarised W boson and a massive b quark, for the most general Wtb vertex arising from dimension-six gauge-invariant effective operators. We show that, in addition to the well-known W helicity fractions, for polarised top decays it is worth to define and study the transverse and normal W polarisation fractions, that is, the W polarisation along two directions orthogonal to its momentum. In particular, a rather simple forward-backward asymmetry in the normal direction is found to be very sensitive to complex phases in one of the Wtb anomalous couplings. This asymmetry, which indicates a normal W polarisation, can be generated for example by a P-odd, T-odd transition electric dipole moment. We also investigate the angular distribution of decay products in the top quark rest frame, calculating the spin analysing powers for a general Wtb vertex. Finally we show that, using a combined fit to top decay observables and the tW cross section, at LHC it will be possible to obtain model-independent measurements of all the (complex) Wtb couplings as well as the single top polarisation. Implications for spin correlations in top pair production are also discussed.Comment: LaTeX 36 pages, 51 EPS figures. Typos corrected. To appear in NP

New signals in pair production of heavy Q=2/3 singlets at LHC

New quark singlets T can be produced in pairs at LHC through standard QCD interactions, with a large cross section for masses of several hundreds of GeV. Their charged current decays T Tbar T -> W+ b W- bbar, with semileptonic decay of the W pair, give a final state l nu bb jj$, as in top pair production. The mixed decay modes T Tbar -> W+ b H tbar, H t W- bbar -> W+ b W- bbar H, T Tbar -> W+ b Z tbar, Z t W- bbar -> W+ b W- bbar Z, with H,Z -> jj, yield two more jets, l nu bb jjjj, or the same state in the latter case for Z -> nu nubar. We extend previous work examining in detail the extra H and Z contributions and stressing one of the salient features of the T Tbar -> W+ b W- bbar signal: the presence of a very energetic charged lepton. We finally compare with the discovery potential in l nu bbbb jj final states, with four b tags.Comment: LaTeX, 10 pages, 11 PS figures, uses PoS.cls. Contribution to the International Workshop on Top Quark Physics, January 12-15, 2006, Coimbra, Portugal. To appear in the proceeding