Neutrino mass, proton decay and dark matter in TeV scale universal extra dimension models

Abstract

We show how the problem of small neutrino masses and suppressed proton decay can be simultaneously resolved in 6-D universal extra dimension models (UED) with a low fundamental scale using extended gauge groups that contain the local $B-L$ symmetry. The extra space dimensions are compactified either on a $T^2/Z_2$ or $T^2/Z_2\times Z'_2$ orbifold depending on whether the full gauge group is $SU(2)_L\times U(1)_{I_{3R}}\times U(1)_{B-L}$ or $SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_{R}\times U(1)_{B-L}$. In both cases, neutrino masses are suppressed by an appropriate orbifold parity assignment for the standard model singlet neutrinos and the proton decay rate is suppressed due to a residual discrete symmetry left over from compactification. For lower values of the fundamental scale, a dominant decay mode of the neutron is $n\to 3 ν$. An interesting consequence of the model is a possible two component picture for dark matter of the universe.