Quantum detection of CP violation in the $t\bar{t}$ system: tomography

Abstract

We develop a quantum-tomographic framework for determining whether possible CP-odd effects in $t\bar t$ events originate in production, in decay, or in both. In the narrow-width approximation, the process $I\to t\bar t\to b\ell^+\nu\,\bar b\ell^-\bar\nu$ factorises into a production density matrix and top and antitop decay density matrices. We extend the standard tomography procedure to a general anomalous $Wtb$ vertex and derive the corresponding angular distributions. Polar-angle distributions retain their usual tomographic form, up to modifications of the spin-analysing powers, and can therefore be used to reconstruct the production density matrix and test its CP properties. By contrast, dedicated azimuthal observables involving the $b$--lepton decay planes contain characteristic sine modulations that provide linear probes of possible new CP-violating interactions in the decay vertex. Combining the two classes of observables gives a systematic strategy for separating sources of CP violation in production and in decay. We illustrate the resulting angular signatures for representative $t\bar t$ production scenarios at hadron and lepton colliders.