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Hiren H. Patel

Publications and source records attributed to Hiren H. Patel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Electron EDM in the complex two-Higgs doublet model

We present the first complete two loop calculation of the electron EDM in the complex two-Higgs doublet model. We confirm gauge-independence by demonstrating analytic cancellation of the gauge parameter $ξ$ in the background field gauge and the 't Hooft $R_ξ$ gauge. We also investigate the behavior of the electron EDM near the decoupling limit, and determine the short- and long-distance contributions by matching onto an effective field theory. Compared with earlier studies of the electron EDM in the complex two-Higgs doublet model, we note disagreements in several places and provide diagnoses where possible. We also provide expressions for EDMs of light quarks.

hep-ph

On the $W$-mass and New Higgs Bosons

We discuss the prediction of the $W$ boson mass in a simple extension of the Standard Model ($Σ{\rm SM}$) with a real scalar triplet. A shift in the $W$ mass as reported by the CDF II collaboration can naturally be accommodated by the model without modifying the Standard Model value for the $Z$ mass. We discuss the main implications and the properties of the new Higgs bosons. Namely, the partial decay widths of the new charged Higgs are predicted. Furthermore, the neutral Higgs has suppressed couplings to fermions and decays predominantly into a pair of $W$ gauge bosons.

hep-ph

Comments on Axions, Domain Walls, and Cosmic Strings

Axions have for some time been considered a plausible candidate for dark matter. They can be produced through misalignment, but it has been argued that when inflation occurs before a Peccei-Quinn transition, appreciable production can result from cosmic strings. This has been the subject of extensive simulations. But there are reasons to be skeptical about the possible role of axion strings. We review and elaborate on these questions, and argue that parametrically strings are already accounted for by the assumption of random misalignment angles. We review and elaborate on these questions, and provide several qualitative arguments that parametrically strings are already accounted for by the assumption of random misalignment angles. The arguments are base on considerations of the collective modes of the string solutions, on computations of axion radiation in particular models, and reviews of simulations.

hep-ph

Discovering new forces with gravitational waves from supermassive black holes

Supermassive black hole binary mergers generate a stochastic gravitational wave background detectable by pulsar timing arrays. While the amplitude of this background is subject to significant uncertainties, the frequency dependence is a robust prediction of general relativity. We show that the effects of new forces beyond the Standard Model can modify this prediction and introduce unique features into the spectral shape. In particular, we consider the possibility that black holes in binaries are charged under a new long-range force, and we find that pulsar timing arrays are capable of robustly detecting such forces. Supermassive black holes and their environments can acquire charge due to high-energy particle production or dark sector interactions, making the measurement of the spectral shape a powerful test of fundamental physics.

astro-ph.CO

Do Minimal Parity Solutions to the Strong CP Problem Work?

One class of solutions to the strong CP problem relies on generalized parity symmetries. A minimal model of this type, constructed by Babu and Mohapatra and based on a softly broken parity symmetry, has the remarkable property that effective QCD vacuum angle $\barθ$ vanishes up to one-loop order. We compute the leading two-loop contributions to $\barθ$ in this model and estimate subleading contributions. In contrast to previous estimates, we argue that $\bar θ$ is not suppressed by the weak scale, and we find contributions of order $10^{-3}$-$10^{-2}$ multiplying unknown mixing angles and phases. Thus the model does not generically address the strong CP problem, but it might be made consistent with $\barθ<10^{-10}$ in some corners of parameter space. For such non-generic parameters, $\barθ$ is still likely to be just below present bounds, and therefore provides the dominant source of hadronic EDMs. We discuss the resulting EDM phenomenology.

hep-ph

Parity-Violating Møller Scattering at NNLO: Closed Fermion Loops

A complete, gauge-invariant computation of two loop virtual corrections involving closed fermion loops to the polarized Møller scattering asymmetry is presented. The set of contributions involving two closed fermion loops and the set involving one closed fermion loop are numerically similar in magnitude to the one-loop bosonic corrections and yield an overall correction of 1.3% relative to the tree-level asymmetry. We estimate sizes of remaining two-loop contributions and discuss implications for the upcoming MOLLER experiment.

hep-ph

Asymptotic analysis of the Boltzmann equation for dark matter relic abundance

A solution to the Boltzmann equation governing the thermal relic abundance of cold dark matter is constructed by matched asymptotic approximations. The approximation of the relic density is an asymptotic series valid when the abundance does not deviate significantly from its equilibrium value until small temperatures. Resonance and threshold effects are taken into account at leading order and found to be negligible unless the annihilation cross section is negligible at threshold. Comparisons are made to previously attempted constructions and to the freeze out approximation commonly employed in the literature. Extensions to higher order matching is outlined, and implications for solving related systems are discussed. We compare our results to a numerical determination of the relic abundance using a benchmark model and find a fantastic agreement. The method developed also serves as a solution to a wide class of problems containing an infinite order turning point.

hep-ph

Behavior of Cross Sections for Large Numbers of Particles

It has been suggested that scattering cross sections at very high energies for producing large numbers of Higgs particles may exhibit factorial growth, and that curing this growth might be relevant to other questions in the Standard Model. We point out, first, that the question is inherently non-perturbative; low orders in the formal perturbative expansion do not give a good approximation to the scattering amplitude for sufficiently large N for any fixed, small value of the coupling. Focusing on $λϕ^{4}$ theory, we argue that there may be a systematic approximation scheme for processes where N particles near threshold scatter to produce N particles, and discuss the leading contributions to the scattering amplitude and cross sections in this limit. Scattering amplitudes do not grow as rapidly as in perturbation theory. Additionally, partial and total cross sections do not show factorial growth. In the case of cross sections for $2 \to N$ particles, there is no systematic large N approximation available. That said, we provide evidence that non-perturbatively, there is no factorial growth in partial or total cross sections.

hep-ph

Implications for Electric Dipole Moments of a Leptoquark Scenario for the $B$-Physics Anomalies

Vector leptoquarks can address the lepton flavor universality anomalies in decays associated with the $b \to c \ell ν$ and $b \to s \ell \ell$ transitions, as observed in recent years. Generically, these leptoquarks yield new sources of CP violation. In this paper, we explore constraints and discovery potential for electric dipole moments (EDMs) in leptonic and hadronic systems. We provide the most generic expressions for dipole moments induced by vector leptoquarks at one loop. We find that $O(1)$ CP-violating phases in tau and muon couplings can lead to corresponding EDMs within reach of next-generation EDM experiments, and that existing bounds on the electron EDM already put stringent constraints on CP-violating electron couplings.

hep-ph

Loop Dominated Signals from Neutrino Portal Dark Matter

We study scenarios where loop processes give the dominant contributions to dark matter decay or annihilation despite the presence of tree level channels. We illustrate this possibility in a specific model where dark matter is part of a hidden sector that communicates with the Standard Model sector via a heavy neutrino portal. We explain the underpinning rationale for how loop processes mediated by the portal neutrinos can parametrically dominate over tree level decay channels, and demonstrate that this qualitatively changes the indirect detection signals in positrons, neutrinos, and gamma rays.

hep-ph

The Majoron at two loops

We present singlet-Majoron couplings to Standard Model particles through two loops at leading order in the seesaw expansion, including couplings to gauge bosons as well as flavor-changing quark interactions. We discuss and compare the relevant phenomenological constraints on Majoron production as well as decaying Majoron dark matter. A comparison with standard seesaw observables in low-scale settings highlights the importance of searches for lepton-flavor-violating two-body decays $\ell \to \ell' +$Majoron in both the muon and tau sectors.

hep-ph

Two-loop effective potential for generalized gauge fixing

We obtain the two-loop effective potential for general renormalizable theories, using a generalized gauge-fixing scheme that includes as special cases the background-field $R_ξ$ gauges, the Fermi gauges, and the familiar Landau gauge, and using dimensional regularization in the bare and \MSbar renormalization schemes. As examples, the results are then specialized to the Abelian Higgs model and to the Standard Model. In the case of the Standard Model, we study how the vacuum expectation value and the minimum vacuum energy depend numerically on the gauge-fixing parameters. The results at fixed two-loop order exhibit non-convergent behavior for sufficiently large gauge-fixing parameters; this can presumably be addressed by a resummation of higher-order contributions.

hep-ph

Reduced hadronic uncertainty in the determination of $V_{ud}$

We analyze the universal radiative correction $Δ_R^V$ to neutron and superallowed nuclear $β$ decay by expressing the hadronic $γW$-box contribution in terms of a dispersion relation, which we identify as an integral over the first Nachtmann moment of the $γW$ interference structure function $F_3^{(0)}$. By connecting the needed input to existing data on neutrino and antineutrino scattering, we obtain an updated value of $Δ_R^V = 0.02467(22)$, wherein the hadronic uncertainty is reduced. Assuming other Standard Model theoretical calculations and experimental measurements remain unchanged, we obtain an updated value of $|V_{ud}| = 0.97366(15)$, raising tension with the first row CKM unitarity constraint. We comment on ways current and future experiments can provide input to our dispersive analysis.

hep-ph

Electroweak phase transition in the $Σ$SM - I: Dimensional reduction

In a series of two papers, we make a comparative analysis of the performance of conventional perturbation theory to analyze electroweak phase transition in the real triplet extension of Standard Model ($Σ$SM). In Part I (this paper), we derive and present the high-$T$ dimensionally reduced effective theory that is suitable for numerical simulation on the lattice. In the sequel (Part II), we will present results of the numerical simulation and benchmark the performance of conventional perturbation theory. Under the assumption that $Σ$ is heavy, the resulting effective theory takes the same form as that derived from the minimal standard model. By recasting the existing non-perturbative results, we map out the phase diagram of the model in the plane of triplet mass $M_Σ$ and Higgs portal coupling $a_2$. Contrary to conventional perturbation theory, we find regions of parameter space where the phase transition may be first order, second order, or crossover. We comment on prospects for prospective future colliders to probe the region where the electroweak phase transition is first order by a precise measurement of the $h\rightarrowγγ$ partial width.

hep-ph

Package-X 2.0: A Mathematica package for the analytic calculation of one-loop integrals

This article summarizes new features and enhancements of the first major update of Package-X. Package-X 2.0 can now generate analytic expressions for arbitrarily high rank dimensionally regulated tensor integrals with up to four distinct propagators, each with arbitrary integer weight, near an arbitrary even number of spacetime dimensions, giving UV divergent, IR divergent, and finite parts at (almost) any real-valued kinematic point. Additionally, it can generate multivariable Taylor series expansions of these integrals around any non-singular kinematic point to arbitrary order. All special functions and abbreviations output by Package-X 2.0 supports Mathematica's arbitrary precision evaluation capabilities to deal with issues of numerical stability. Finally, tensor algebraic routines of Package-X have been polished and extended to support open fermion chains both on and off shell. The documentation (equivalent to over 100 printed pages) is accessed through Mathematica's Wolfram Documentation Center and contains information on all Package-X symbols, with over 300 basic usage examples, 3 project-scale tutorials, and instructions on linking to FeynCalc and LoopTools.

hep-ph

Dark Photon Decay Beyond The Euler-Heisenberg Limit

We calculate the exact width for a dark photon decaying to three photons at one loop order for dark photon masses m' below the e+e- production threshold of 2m_e. We find substantial deviations from previous results derived from the lowest order Euler-Heisenberg effective Lagrangian in the range m_e < m' < 2m_e, where higher order terms in the derivative expansion are nonnegligible. This mass range is precisely where the three photon decay takes place on cosmologically relevant timescales. Our improved analysis opens a window for dark photons in the range 850 keV < m' < 2m_e, 10^-5 < epsilon < 10^-4.

hep-ph

On the Decoupling Theorem for Vacuum Metastability

In this paper, we numerically study the impact heavy field degrees of freedom have on vacuum metastability in a toy model, with the aim of better understanding how the decoupling theorem extends to semiclassical processes. We observe that decoupling applies to partial amplitudes associated with fixed final state field configurations emerging from the tunneling processes, characterized by a scale such as the inverse radius of a spherically symmetric bubble, and not directly on the total lifetime (as determined by the "bounce"). More specifically, tunneling amplitudes for bubbles with inverse radii smaller than the scale of the heavier fields are largely insensitive to their presence, while those for bubbles with inverse radii larger than that scale may be significantly modified.

hep-ph

Electroweak Absolute, Meta-, and Thermal Stability in Neutrino Mass Models

We analyze the stability of the electroweak vacuum in neutrino mass models containing right handed neutrinos or fermionic isotriplets. In addition to considering absolute stability, we place limits on the Yukawa couplings of new fermions based on metastability and thermal stability in the early Universe. Our results reveal that the upper limits on the neutrino Yukawa couplings can change significantly when the top quark mass is allowed to vary within the experimental range of uncertainty in its determination.

hep-ph