Positivity bounds in the Standard Model effective field theory beyond tree level

Abstract

Focusing on four-Higgs interactions, we analyse the robustness of tree-level-derived positivity bounds on Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) operators under quantum corrections. Among other results, we demonstrate that: (i) Even in the simplest extensions of the Standard Model, e.g. with one new scalar singlet or with a neutral triplet, some positivity bounds are strictly violated; (ii) the mixing of the dimension-eight operators under renormalisation, which we compute here for the first time, can drive them out of their positivity region; (iii) the running of the dimension-eight interactions triggered by solely dimension-six terms respects the positivity bounds. Our results suggest, on one hand, that departures from positivity within the SMEFT, if ever found in the data, do not necessarily imply the breaking of unitarity or causality, nor the presence of new light degrees of freedom. On the other hand, they lead to strong constraints on the form of certain anomalous dimensions.

9 pages, 5 figures

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Cited by in corpus (25)

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• Moments for positivity: using Drell-Yan data to test positivity bounds and reverse-engineer new physics
• Building blocks of the flavourful SMEFT RG
• Constraints on anomalous dimensions from the positivity of the S-matrix
• Computing Tools for Effective Field Theories
• Integrating out heavy scalars with modified EOMs: matching computation of dimension-eight SMEFT coefficients
• Spinning Sum Rules for the Dimension-Six SMEFT
• Renormalisation of SMEFT bosonic interactions up to dimension eight by LNV operators
• Combining chromomagnetic and four-fermion operators with leading SMEFT operators for $gg\to hh$ at NLO QCD
• Origin of Neutrino Masses on the Convex Cone of Positivity Bounds
• Positivity bounds in vector theories
• Renormalization-group running of dimension-8 four-fermion operators in the SMEFT
• Positivity Bounds in Scalar Effective Field Theories at One-loop Level
• Dimension-eight Operator Basis for Universal Standard Model Effective Field Theory
• Positivity bounds at one-loop level: the Higgs sector
• Positively Identifying HEFT or SMEFT
• Causality constraints on nonlinear supersymmetry
• Positivity bounds in scalar-QED EFT at one-loop level
• Positivity and partial wave unitarity bounds on ALP theories via amplitude methods
• Drell-Yan production in universal theories beyond dimension-six SMEFT
• The IR-Side of Positivity Bounds