A CNRS International Research Project (IRP), entitled SMART (Search for Missing energy And Rare Decays with Tagging), has recently been awarded for the period 2027–2031. This five-year programme establishes a structured framework for strengthening and expanding the long-standing scientific collaboration between CPPM (CNRS/IN2P3, Aix-Marseille University) and partner institutions in India: IIT Hyderabad, IIT Madras, IISER Mohali, IIT Bhubaneswar and IIT Jodhpur.
The project is centred on the physics programme of the Belle II experiment, with a particular focus on B-meson decays involving missing energy and neutrinos, which provide sensitive probes of the Standard Model and potential new physics.
A major objective is to develop improved B-meson tagging strategies by combining hadronic, semileptonic and inclusive approaches, supported by advanced machine-learning techniques. These developments will be accompanied by detailed studies of hadronic B-meson decays, with the aim of improving their modelling and enhancing the efficiency and sensitivity of rare-decay measurements.
The scientific programme will address several complementary topics, including:
- Development and optimisation of innovative B-meson tagging techniques, including cascade-tagging strategies and graph neural networks.
- Studies of hadronic B-meson decays, providing essential input for improving tagging performance and background modelling.
- Searches for decays involving missing energy: sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model, notably B→Kττ, but also semi-leptonic decays, as B→D**lnu.
- Joint development of analysis tools and methodologies within the Belle II collaboration.
Beyond its scientific objectives, SMART will promote sustained exchanges of researchers and students, collaborative training activities, workshops and the development of new research initiatives.
The award of this IRP represents an important institutional milestone, recognising the maturity and scientific productivity of collaborations established over many years, already resulting in more than ten joint scientific publications. It provides a valuable opportunity to consolidate these partnerships, strengthen the involvement of young researchers and enhance the international visibility and impact of the participating teams.
This workshop in Hyderabad will provide an opportunity to discuss the scientific programme, identify common priorities and define concrete activities and milestones for the first years of the SMART project.