arXiv subjects

Akifumi Chitose

Publications and source records attributed to Akifumi Chitose.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Fermion Multiplicities at the GUT Scale: A Statistical Study of Unification and Proton Decay

We study the impact of multiple vector-like fermions in SU(5) grand unified theory (GUT). Threshold effects from extra fermions allow the observed gauge couplings to be consistently matched to a single unified gauge coupling, and typically raise the unification scale to $M_\mathrm{GUT}\simeq 10^{15.5}\,\mathrm{GeV}$. Because the Standard Model fermions arise as admixtures of several GUT multiplets, the nucleon decay operator coefficients are further suppressed, leading to longer proton lifetimes than in conventional GUTs. We also find that the admixture of multiple GUT multiplets relaxes the rigid Yukawa relations of conventional GUTs and alleviates the bottom-tau unification problem. Overall, our analysis demonstrates that multi-fermion SU(5) GUTs provide a testable framework that simultaneously reconciles gauge coupling unification, realistic flavor structures, and proton stability. Our results highlight the importance of probing multiple proton-decay channels in next-generation experiments such as Hyper-Kamiokande to critically test this scenario.

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arXiv2026

Flavor Symmetry and Proton Decay in PeV-Scale Supersymmetry

Supersymmetry beyond the TeV scale offers several theoretical and phenomenological advantages, such as accommodating the observed Higgs mass and alleviating the flavor and CP problems. However, flavor and CP observables still impose stringent constraints even at the PeV scale, motivating a systematic study of flavor symmetries in this regime. In this work, we investigate nucleon decay induced by dimension-five operators in supersymmetric standard models and examine how flavor symmetries, particularly of the Froggatt-Nielsen type, can suppress these operators. We perform a Bayesian analysis combining flavor, CP, and proton-decay observables to quantify the allowed parameter space and identify characteristic predictions. Our results demonstrate that a multi-messenger approach, integrating flavor, CP, and baryon-number-violating observables, is essential for probing the underlying structure of supersymmetry beyond the TeV scale.

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arXiv2025

Do Cosmic String Segments Emit Gravitational Waves?

Cosmic strings are predicted in various extensions of the Standard Model, including grand unified theories. Depending on the symmetry-breaking pattern, they can be either topologically stable or metastable. Intriguingly, metastable strings have been proposed as a possible origin of the gravitational wave (GW) background observed by recent pulsar timing array experiments. When metastable strings decay, they fragment into segments with monopoles and antimonopoles attached at their endpoints. The monopole and antimonopole are strongly pulled by the string tension. Violent oscillations of these segments have been considered as a potential GW source, in addition to contributions from string loops. We show that, in realistic situations, the monopoles frequently collide with thermal fluctuations on the string segments, which act as a resistance and prevent the oscillation. As a result, we find that the contribution from string segments to the GW background is negligible.

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arXiv2025

Cosmic Strings in Multi-Step Symmetry Breaking

We investigate cosmic strings arising from a hierarchical gauge symmetry breaking sequence, $\mathrm{SU}(2) \times \mathrm{U}(1) \rightarrow \mathrm{U}(1) \times \mathrm{U}(1) \rightarrow \mathrm{U}(1)' \rightarrow \text{Nothing}$. This pattern gives rise to two distinct classes of cosmic strings: light, stable strings formed at a later stage, and heavy, metastable strings originating from an earlier stage. Our focus is on the heavy strings, which may decay either before or after the final $\mathrm{U}(1)'$ symmetry is broken. We analyze the internal structure of these strings and the magnetic flux sourced by monopole-like configurations that emerge at the endpoints of metastable string segments following their decay. Understanding the nature of the magnetic $\mathrm{U}(1)$ fluxes associated with these monopole-like objects is crucial for studying the post-decay evolution of the string network. The post-decay evolution influences the resulting gravitational wave signals. We show that the magnetic flux carried by string segments can be either confined or unconfined, depending on the specific sequence of symmetry breaking and string decay.

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arXiv2025

Gravitational Waves from Metastable Cosmic Strings in Supersymmetric New Inflation Model

Recent observations by pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) indicate a potential detection of a stochastic gravitational wave (GW) background. Metastable cosmic strings have been recognized as a possible source of the observed signals. In this paper, we propose an $R$-invariant supersymmetric new inflation model. It is characterized by a two-step symmetry breaking $\mathrm{SU}(2) \to \mathrm{U}(1)_G \to \mathrm{nothing}$, incorporating metastable cosmic strings. The field responsible for the initial symmetry breaking acts as the inflaton, while the second symmetry breaking occurs post-inflation, ensuring the formation of the cosmic string network without monopole production. Our model predicts symmetry breaking scales consistent with the string tensions favored by PTA data, $G_\mathrm{N} μ_\mathrm{str} \sim 10^{-5}$, where $G_\mathrm{N}$ is the Newton constant. Notably, a low reheating temperature is required to suppress non-thermal gravitino production from the decay of inflaton sector fields. This also helps evading LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA constraints, while yielding a distinctive GW signature that future PTA and interferometer experiments can detect. Additionally, we examine the consistency of this scenario with non-thermal leptogenesis and supersymmetric dark matter.

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arXiv2024

Revisiting Metastable Cosmic String Breaking

Metastable cosmic strings appear in models of new physics with a two-step symmetry breaking $G\to H\to 1$, where $π_1(H)\neq 0$ and $π_1(G)=0$. They decay via the monopole-antimonopole pair creation inside. Conventionally, the breaking rate has been estimated by an infinitely thin string approximation, which requires a large hierarchy between the symmetry breaking scales. In this paper, we reexamine it by taking into account the finite sizes of both the cosmic string and the monopole. We obtain a robust lower limit on the tunneling factor $e^{-S_B}$ even for regimes the conventional estimate is unreliable. In particular, it is relevant to the cosmic string interpretation of the gravitational wave signals recently reported by pulsar timing array experiments.

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arXiv2023

Interactions of electrical and magnetic charges and dark topological defects

We consider a model of dark photon which appears as a result of the successive symmetry breaking SU(2)$\,\to\,$U(1)$\,\to \mathbb{Z}_2$, where various types of topological defects appear in the dark sector. In this paper, we study the interactions between QED charges and the dark topological defects through mixing between QED photon and dark photon. In particular, we extend our previous analysis by incorporating the magnetic mixing and $θ$-terms. We also consider the dyons and dyonic beads in the dark sector. Notably, dark magnetic/dyonic beads are found to induce a QED Coulomb potential through the magnetic mixing despite finite mass of the dark photon.

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