On Testing for New Couplings in Top Quark Decay

Abstract

To quantitatively assay future measurements of competing observables in t --> W b decay, we consider the g_{V-A} coupling values of the helicity decay parameters versus those for "(V-A)+ Single Additional Lorentz Structures". There are 2 dynamical phase-type ambiguities. Associated with the latter (f_M + f_E) ambiguity, there are 3 very interesting numerical puzzles at the 0.1% level. This evidence for the presence of tensorial couplings in t-decay is a consequence of the empirical value of m_W/m_t and the small, but non-zero ratio m_b/m_t. Measurement of the sign of eta_L = 0.46 (SM) due to the large interference between the W longitudinal/transverse amplitudes could exclude such tensorial couplings. Similarly, measurements of eta_L and eta_L^{'} could resolve the case of a partially-hidden T-violation associated with the additional (f_M + f_E) coupling.