arXiv subjects

C. Munoz

Publications and source records attributed to C. Munoz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Determining the WIMP mass using the complementarity between direct and indirect searches and the ILC

We study the possibility of identifying dark matter properties from XENON-like 100 kg experiments and the GLAST satellite mission. We show that whereas direct detection experiments will probe efficiently light WIMPs, given a positive detection (at the 10% level for $m_χ \lesssim 50$ GeV), GLAST will be able to confirm and even increase the precision in the case of a NFW profile, for a WIMP-nucleon cross-section $σ_{χ-p} \lesssim 10^{-8}$ pb. We also predict the rate of production of a WIMP in the next generation of colliders (ILC), and compare their sensitivity to the WIMP mass with the XENON and GLAST projects.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

Right-handed sneutrino as thermal dark matter

We study an extension of the MSSM with a singlet S with coupling SH1H2 in order to solve the mu problem as in the NMSSM, and right-handed neutrinos N with couplings SNN in order to generate dynamically electroweak-scale Majorana masses. We show how in this model a purely right-handed sneutrino can be a viable candidate for cold dark matter in the Universe. Through the direct coupling to the singlet, the sneutrino can not only be thermal relic dark matter but also have a large enough scattering cross section with nuclei to detect it directly in near future, in contrast with most of other right-handed sneutrino dark matter models.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

Discrete coherent states for n qubits

Discrete coherent states for a system of $n$ qubits are introduced in terms of eigenstates of the finite Fourier transform. The properties of these states are pictured in phase space by resorting to the discrete Wigner function

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Lepton masses and mixings in orbifold models with three Higgs families

We analyse the phenomenological viability of heterotic Z(3) orbifolds with two Wilson lines, which naturally predict three supersymmetric families of matter and Higgs fields. Given that these models can accommodate realistic scenarios for the quark sector avoiding potentially dangerous flavour-changing neutral currents, we now address the leptonic sector, finding that viable orbifold configurations can in principle be obtained. In particular,it is possible to accomodate present data on charged lepton masses, while avoiding conflict with lepton flavour-violating decays. Concerning the generation of neutrino masses and mixings, we find that Z(3) orbifolds offer several interesting possibilities.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Prospects for the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in orbifold scenarios

We analyse the phenomenology of orbifold scenarios from the heterotic superstring, and the resulting theoretical predictions for the direct detection of neutralino dark matter. In particular, we study the parameter space of these constructions, computing the low-energy spectrum and taking into account the most recent experimental and astrophysical constraints, as well as imposing the absence of dangerous charge and colour breaking minima. In the remaining allowed regions the spin-independent part of the neutralino-proton cross section is calculated and compared with the sensitivity of dark matter detectors. In addition to the usual non universalities of the soft terms in orbifold scenarios due to the modular weight dependence, we also consider D-term contributions to scalar masses. These are generated by the presence of an anomalous U(1), providing more flexibility in the resulting soft terms, and are crucial in order to avoid charge and colour breaking minima. Thanks to the D-term contribution, large neutralino detection cross sections can be found, within the reach of projected dark matter detectors.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

A kind of prediction from string phenomenology: extra matter at low energy

We review the possibility that the Supersymmetric Standard Model arises from orbifold constructions of the E_8 x E_8 Heterotic Superstring, and the phenomenological properties that such a model should have. In particular, trying to solve the discrepancy between the unification scale predicted by the Heterotic Superstring (g_{GUT}x5.27x10^{17} GeV) and the value deduced from LEP experiments (2x10^{16} GeV), we will predict the presence at low energies of three families of Higgses and vector-like colour triplets. Our approach relies on the Fayet-Iliopoulos breaking, and this is also a crucial ingredient, together with having three Higgs families, to obtain in these models an interesting pattern of fermion masses and mixing angles at the renormalizable lebel. Namely, after the gauge breaking some physical particles appear combined with other states, and the Yukawa couplings are modified in a well controlled way. On the other hand, dangerous flavour-changing neutral currents may appear when fermions of a given charge receive their mass through couplings with several Higgs doublets. We will address this potential problem, finding that viable scenarios can be obtained for a reasonable light Higgs spectrum.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Phenomenological viability of neutralino dark matter in the NMSSM

The viability of the lightest neutralino as a dark matter candidate in the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model is analysed. We carry out a thorough analysis of the parameter space, taking into account accelerator constraints as well as bounds on low-energy observables, such as the muon anomalous magnetic moment and rare $K$ and $B$ meson decays. The neutralino relic density is also evaluated and consistency with present bounds imposed. Finally, the neutralino direct detection cross section is calculated in the allowed regions of the parameter space and compared to the sensitivities of present and projected dark matter experiments. Regions of the parameter space are found where experimental constraints are fulfilled, the lightest neutralino has the correct relic abundance and its detection cross section is within the reach of dark matter detectors. This is possible in the presence of very light singlet-like Higgses and when the neutralino is either light enough so that some annihilation channels are kinematically forbidden, or has a large singlino component.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

A comparison between the detection of gamma rays and positrons from neutralino annihilation

We study the indirect detection of neutralino dark matter using positrons and gamma rays from its annihilation in the galactic halo. Considering the HESS data as the spectrum constituting the gamma--ray background, we compare the prospects for the experiments GLAST and PAMELA in a general supergravity framework with non--universal scalar and gaugino masses. We show that with a boost factor of about 10, PAMELA will be competitive with GLAST for typical NFW cuspy profiles.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Phenomenological viability of orbifold models with three Higgs families

We discuss the phenomenological viability of string multi-Higgs doublet models, namely a scenario of heterotic $Z_3$ orbifolds with two Wilson lines, which naturally predicts three supersymmetric families of matter and Higgs fields. We study the orbifold parameter space, and discuss the compatibility of the predicted Yukawa couplings with current experimental data. We address the implications of tree-level flavour changing neutral processes in constraining the Higgs sector of the model, finding that viable scenarios can be obtained for a reasonably light Higgs spectrum. We also take into account the tree-level contributions to indirect CP violation, showing that the experimental value of $ε_K$ can be accommodated in the present framework.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

FCNCs in supersymmetric multi-Higgs doublet models

We conduct a general discussion of supersymmetric models with three families in the Higgs sector. We analyse the scalar potential, and investigate the minima conditions, deriving the mass matrices for the scalar, pseudoscalar and charged states. Depending on the Yukawa couplings and the Higgs spectrum, the model might allow the occurrence of potentially dangerous flavour changing neutral currents at the tree-level. We compute model-independent contributions for several observables, and as an example we apply this general analysis to a specific model of quark-Higgs interactions, discussing how compatibility with current experimental data constrains the Higgs sector.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Proposal for a Supersymmetric Standard Model

The fact that neutrinos are massive suggests that the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) might be extended in order to include three gauge-singlet neutrino superfields with Yukawa couplings of the type $H_2 L ν^c$. We propose to use these superfields to solve the $μ$ problem of the MSSM without having to introduce an extra singlet superfield as in the case of the next-to-MSSM (NMSSM). In particular, terms of the type $ν^c H_1 H_2$ in the superpotential may carry out this task spontaneously through sneutrino vacuum expectation values. In addition, terms of the type $(ν^c)^3$ avoid the presence of axions and generate effective Majorana masses for neutrinos at the electroweak scale. On the other hand, these terms break lepton number and R-parity explicitly implying that the phenomenology of this model is very different from the one of the MSSM or NMSSM. For example, the usual neutralinos are now mixed with the neutrinos. For Dirac masses of the latter of order $10^{-4}$ GeV, eigenvalues reproducing the correct scale of neutrino masses are obtained.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Geometric approach to the discrete Wigner function

We analyze the Wigner function constructed on the basis of the discrete rotation and displacement operators labeled with elements of the underlying finite field. We separately discuss the case of odd and even characteristics and analyze the algebraic origin of the non uniqueness of the representation of the Wigner function. Explicit expressions for the Wigner kernel are given in both cases.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Adiabatic compression and indirect detection of supersymmetric dark matter

Recent developments in the modelling of the dark matter distribution in our Galaxy point out the necessity to consider some physical processes to satisfy observational data. In particular, models with adiabatic compression, which include the effect of the baryonic gas in the halo, increase significantly the dark matter density in the central region of the Milky Way. On the other hand, the non-universality in scalar and gaugino sectors of supergravity models can also increase significantly the neutralino annihilation cross section. We show that the combination of both effects gives rise to a gamma-ray flux arising from the Galactic Center largely reachable by future experiments like GLAST. We also analyse in this framework the EGRET excess data above 1 GeV, as well as the recent data from CANGAROO and HESS. The analysis has been carried out imposing the most recent experimental constraints, such as the lower bound on the Higgs mass, the \bsg branching ratio, and the muon $g-2$. In addition, the recently improved upper bound on $B(B_s \to μ^+ μ^-)$ has also been taken into account. The astrophysical (WMAP) bounds on the dark matter density have also been imposed on the theoretical computation of the relic neutralino density through thermal production.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Gamma-ray detection from neutralino annihilation in non--universal SUGRA scenarios

We analyze the indirect detection of neutralino dark matter in supergravity scenarios with non-universal soft scalar and gaugino masses. In particular, the gamma-ray flux arising from the galactic center due to neutralino annihilation is computed. In important regions of the parameter space it can be increased significantly (about two orders of magnitude) with respect to the universal scenario. This result is compared with the sensitivity of current and planned experiments, such as the satellite-based detectors EGRET and GLAST and the ground-based atmospheric telescope HESS. For example, for $\tanβ< 35$ the sensitivity region of GLAST and HESS can only be reached in non-universal scenarios.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Direct detection of neutralino dark matter in supergravity

The direct detection of neutralino dark matter is analysed in general supergravity scenarios, where non-universal soft scalar and gaugino masses can be present. In particular, the theoretical predictions for the neutralino-nucleon cross section are studied and compared with the sensitivity of dark matter detectors. We take into account the most recent astrophysical and experimental constraints on the parameter space, including the current limit on B(Bs-> mu+ mu-). The latter puts severe limitations on the dark matter scattering cross section, ruling out most of the regions that would be within the reach of present experiments. We show how this constraint can be softened with the help of appropriate choices of non-universal parameters which increase the Higgsino composition of the lightest neutralino and minimise the chargino contribution to the b->s transition.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Theoretical predictions for the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in the NMSSM

We analyse the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in the framework of the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. After performing a detailed analysis of the parameter space, taking into account all the available constraints from LEPII, we compute the neutralino-nucleon cross section, and compare the results with the sensitivity of detectors. We find that sizable values for the detection cross section, within the reach of dark matter detectors, are attainable in this framework. For example, neutralino-proton cross sections compatible with the sensitivity of present experiments can be obtained due to the exchange of very light Higgses with $m_{h_1^0}\lsim 70$ GeV. Such Higgses have a significant singlet composition, thus escaping detection and being in agreement with accelerator data. The lightest neutralino in these cases exhibits a large singlino-Higgsino composition, and a mass in the range $50\lsim m_{\tildeχ_1^0}\lsim 100$ GeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Neutralino dark matter in supergravity theories with non-universal scalar and gaugino masses

We analyse the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in supergravity scenarios with non-universal soft scalar and gaugino masses. In particular, the neutralino-nucleon cross section is computed and compared with the sensitivity of detectors. We take into account the most recent experimental and astrophysical constraints on the parameter space, including those coming from charge and colour breaking minima. Gaugino non-universalities provide a larger flexibility in the neutralino sector. In particular, when combined with non-universal scalars, neutralinos close to the present detection limits are possible with a wide range of masses, from over 400 GeV to almost 10 GeV. We study the different possibilities which allow to increase or decrease the neutralino mass and explain the properties of those regions in the parameter space with a large cross section.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

A comparison between direct and indirect dark matter search

We carry out a comparison between different kinds of experiments for the detection of neutralino dark matter. In particular, we compare the theoretical predictions for the direct detection of these particles, through their elastic scattering on target nuclei through nuclear recoils, with those for their indirect detection through the gamma rays produced by their annihilation in the galactic center. For the comparison we pay special attention to points which will be testable by very sensitive experiments, such as e.g. EDELWEISS II and GENIUS for direct detection, and GLAST for indirect detection. We perform the analysis in the framework of a general SUGRA theory, allowing the presence of non-universal soft scalar and gaugino masses in the parameter space. As a conclusion, we find that indirect detection experiments will be able to test larger regions of the parameter space than direct detection ones.

hep-ph↗