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.

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 $\tau$-lepton. The best experimental prospects are expected at Belle II through the $e^+e^-\to\tau^+\tau^-\gamma\gamma$, $\tau^+\tau^-\gamma$, $3\gamma$, mono-$\gamma$ processes, and the $\tau$ 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.

Motivated by the recent anomalies observed in semileptonic decays of B-mesons, the class of models denoted as"4321"is introduced and analysed. The importance of calculating next-to-leading-order (NLO) effects in performing precise compatibility tests of data with 4321 predictions is discussed. On the one hand, the coupling of the $U_1 \sim (\textbf{3},\textbf{1})_{2/3}$ leptoquark appearing in the spectrum to the third-generation fermions is large, giving rise to sizable NLO corrections in the relevant semileptonic operators. On the other hand, the new source of flavor violation is introduced with the vector-like fermions, resulting in the processes whose relevance can only be quantified at the loop order.

Extending previous work on this subject, we evaluate the impact of vector-like fermions at next-to-leading order accuracy in models with a massive vector leptoquark embedded in the $SU(4)\times SU(3)^\prime\times SU(2)_L\times U(1)_X$ gauge group. Vector-like fermions induce new sources of flavor symmetry breaking, resulting in tree-level flavor-changing couplings for the leptoquark not present in the minimal version of the model. These, in turn, lead to a series of non-vanishing flavor-changing neutral-current amplitudes at the loop level. We systematically analyze these effects in semileptonic, dipole and $\Delta F=2$ operators. The impact of these corrections in $b\to s\nu\nu$ and $b\to c\tau\nu$ observables are discussed in detail. In particular, we show that, in the parameter region providing a good fit to the $B$-physics anomalies, the model predicts a $10\%$ to $50\%$ enhancement of $\mathcal{B}(B\to K^{(*)}\nu\nu)$.

We clarify open issues in relating low- and high-energy observables, at next-to-leading order accuracy, in models with a massive leptoquark embedded in a flavor nonuniversal SU(4)×SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1) gauge group. Extending previous work on this subject, we present a complete analysis of the O(αs) corrections to the matching conditions of semileptonic operators at the high scale. These corrections are not negligible, but they do not exceed the 10% level and are subleading compared to the O(α4) corrections proportional to the leading leptoquark coupling, which is expected to be much larger than the QCD coupling in the parameter space region of phenomenological interest. We further analyze the impact of radial modes, both at O(α4) and at O(αs) accuracies, highlighting their role in the renormalization of the theory.

Models with massive vector leptoquarks, resulting from an SU(4) gauge symmetry spontaneously broken at the TeV scale, are of great phenomenological interest given the current “anomalies” in semileptonic B decays. We analyze the relations between low- and high-energy observables in such class of models to next-to-leading order accuracy in the SU(4) gauge coupling g4. For large values of g4, motivated by recent B-physics data, one-loop corrections are sizable. The main effect is an enhanced contribution at low energy at fixed on-shell couplings. This result has important implications for current and future high-energy searches of vector leptoquark models.