arXiv subjects

Isabella Masina

Publications and source records attributed to Isabella Masina.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Gauge coupling unification and doublet-triplet splitting via GUT dynamical breaking

An interesting framework to achieve gauge coupling unification consists in adding to the Standard Model Lagrangian non-renormalizable operators of $d \geq 5$, which affect the kinetic term of gauge fields. We first review the phenomenology related to this framework in the context of $SU(5)$, identifying which are the most interesting representations for the sake of achieving coupling unification. Secondly, we point out that in the case of a dynamical breaking pattern, it is possible to relate gauge coupling unification with the doublet-triplet splitting problem. We show that condensates of fermions in the $5$ representation do not lead to viable models because of proton decay constraints. At difference, we point out that successful models can be obtained by considering condensates of fermions in the $10$, as well as in the $24$ representations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

The Standard Model partial unification scale as a guide to new physics model building

In the Standard Model, partial unification of the non-Abelian running gauge couplings is achieved at the scale $μ^{SM}_{32} \approx 2.8 \times 10^{16}$ GeV. Elaborating on this fact, we discuss a simple general parametrization for the new physics corrections leading to full unification at some scale $M_X$. We show that for any new physics model such that the corrections to the non-Abelian couplings are equal (or nearly so), $M_X$ is equal (or close to) the partial unification scale $μ^{SM}_{32}$; the latter scales could be disentangled only if the corrections to the non-Abelian couplings are significantly different. We explore how the parametrization works for some relevant models with new physics below $M_X$, as low energy supersymmetry, split supersymmetry, etc. As for models with a desert up to $M_X$, we explore in particular how the parametrization works for string inspired corrections; we find a phenomenologically remarkable possibility for unification at about 100 TeV, suggesting a low string scale, in addition to the more conservative possibility for unification at $μ^{SM}_{32}$; for models with power-low running/threshold corrections, we also outline an interesting connection with the number of fermion families propagating in the bulk.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

An introduction to effective potential methods in field theory

In this chapter we give a pedagogical introduction to effective potential methods in field theories. We first review the general functional methods leading to the concept of effective action and effective potential. Focusing on the effective potential we review the methods to compute radiative contributions, starting from the original 1973 seminal paper by Sidney Coleman and Erick Weinberg on one-loop corrections, along with its improvement by the renormalization group equations, as well as some basic results from thermal field theory, including the one-loop thermal corrections to the effective potential. We concentrate on some physical applications of the effective potential: i) the possibility of spontaneous symmetry breaking by radiative corrections, ii) the metastability of the electroweak vacuum in the Standard Model, and iii) the relevance of quantum effects in the dynamics of Higgs inflation. We then apply the previous results to cosmological phase transitions in the early universe and the possibility of generating a stochastic background of gravitational waves as well as primordial black holes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Simulating Bell inequalities with Qibo

We present educational material about Bell inequalities in the context of quantum computing. In particular, we provide software tools to simulate their violation, together with a guide for the classroom discussion. The material is organized in three modules of increasing difficulty, and the relative implementation has been written in Qibo, an open-source software suite to simulate quantum circuits with the ability to interface with quantum hardware. The topic of inequalities allows not only to introduce undergraduate or graduate students to crucial theoretical issues in quantum mechanics -- like entanglement, correlations, hidden variables, non-locality --, but also to practically put hands on tools to implement a real simulation, where statistical aspects and noise coming from current quantum chips also come into play.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2024

On electroweak metastability and Higgs inflation

For the central values of the relevant experimental inputs, that is the strong coupling constant and the top quark and Higgs masses, the effective Higgs potential displays two minima, one at the electroweak scale and a deeper one at high energies. We review the phenomenology of the Higgs inflation model, extending the Standard Model to include a non-minimal coupling to gravity; as recently shown [1], even configurations that would be metastable in the Standard Model, become viable for inflation if the non-minimal coupling is large enough to flatten the Higgs potential at field values below the barrier between the minima.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Electroweak metastability and Higgs inflation

Extrapolating the Standard Model Higgs potential at high energies, we study the barrier between the electroweak and Planck scale minima. The barrier arises by taking the central values of the relevant experimental inputs, that is the strong coupling constant and the top quark and Higgs masses. We then extend the Standard Model by including a non-minimal coupling to gravity, and explore the phenomenology of the Higgs inflation model. We point out that even configurations that would be metastable in the Standard Model, become viable for inflation if the non-minimal coupling is large enough to flatten the Higgs potential at field values below the barrier; we find that the required value of the non-minimal coupling is smaller than the one needed for the conventional Higgs inflation scenario (which relies on a stable Standard Model Higgs potential, without any barrier); in addition, values of the top mass which are slightly larger than those required in the conventional scenario are allowed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Dark matter and dark radiation from evaporating Kerr primordial black holes

The mechanism of the generation of dark matter and dark radiation from the evaporation of primordial black holes is very interesting. We consider the case of Kerr black holes to generalize previous results obtained in the Schwarzschild case. For dark matter, the results do not change dramatically and the bounds on warm dark matter apply similarly: in particular, the Kerr case cannot save the scenario of black hole domination for light dark matter. For dark radiation, the expectations for $ΔN_{eff}$ do not change significantly with respect to the Schwarzschild case, but for an enhancement in the case of spin 2 particles: in the massless case, however, the projected experimental sensitivity would be reached only for extremal black holes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Bounds on warm dark matter from Schwarzschild primordial black holes

We consider light dark matter candidates originated from the evaporation of Schwarzschild primordial black holes, with masses in the range $10^{-5}-10^9$ g. These candidates are beyond Standard Model particles with negligible couplings to the other particles, so that they interact only gravitationally. Belonging to the category of warm dark matter, they nevertheless spoil structure formation, with a softer impact for increasing values of the candidate spin. Requiring such candidates to fully account for the observed dark matter, we find that the scenario of black hole domination is ruled out for all spin values up to 2. For the scenario of radiation domination, we derive upper limits on the parameter $β$ (the primordial black hole energy density at formation over the radiation one), which are less stringent the higher the candidate spin is.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Dark matter and dark radiation from evaporating primordial black holes

Primordial black holes in the mass range from $10^{-5}$ to $10^9$ g might have existed in the early universe. Via their evaporation mechanism (completed before Big Bang Nucleosynthesis), they might have released stable particles beyond the Standard Model. We reconsider the possibility that such particles might constitute the main part or a fraction of the dark matter observed today, updating the impact on this scenario from warm dark matter constraints. If sufficiently light, stable particles from primordial black holes evaporation might also provide a significant contribution to dark radiation. We generalize previous studies on this interesting dark matter and dark radiation production mechanism, by including the effects of accretion and a possible amount of entropy non conservation. We also discuss in some detail specific examples of stable particle candidates beyond the Standard Model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Future Opportunities in Accelerator-based Neutrino Physics

This document summarizes the conclusions of the Neutrino Town Meeting held at CERN in October 2018 to review the neutrino field at large with the aim of defining a strategy for accelerator-based neutrino physics in Europe. The importance of the field across its many complementary components is stressed. Recommendations are presented regarding the accelerator based neutrino physics, pertinent to the European Strategy for Particle Physics. We address in particular i) the role of CERN and its neutrino platform, ii) the importance of ancillary neutrino cross-section experiments, and iii) the capability of fixed target experiments as well as present and future high energy colliders to search for the possible manifestations of neutrino mass generation mechanisms.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Ruling out Critical Higgs Inflation?

We consider critical Higgs inflation, namely Higgs inflation with a rising inflection point at smaller field values than those of the plateau induced by the non-minimal coupling to gravity. It has been proposed that such configuration is compatible with the present CMB observational constraints on inflation, and also with primordial black hole production accounting for the totality or a fraction of the observed dark matter. We study the model taking into account the NNLO corrections to the Higgs effective potential: such corrections are extremely important to reduce the theoretical error associated to the calculation. We find that, in the 3 sigma window for the relevant low energy parameters, which are the strong coupling and the Higgs mass (the top mass follows by requiring an inflection point), the potential at the inflection point is so large (and so is the Hubble constant during inflation) that the present bound on the tensor-to-scalar ratio is violated. The model is viable only allowing the strong coupling to take its upper 3-4 sigma value. In our opinion, this tension shows that the model of critical Higgs inflation is likely to be not viable: neither inflation nor black holes as dark matter can be originated in this version of the model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Stationary configurations of the Standard Model Higgs potential: electroweak stability and rising inflection point

We study the gauge-independent observables associated with two interesting stationary configurations of the Standard Model Higgs potential (extrapolated to high energy according to the present state of the art, namely the NNLO): i) the value of the top mass ensuring stability of the SM electroweak minimum, and ii) the value of the Higgs potential at a rising inflection point. We examine in detail and reappraise the experimental and theoretical uncertainties which plague their determination, finding that: i) stability of the SM is compatible with the present data at the 1.5 sigma level; ii) despite the large theoretical error plaguing the value of the Higgs potential at a rising inflection point, application of such configuration to models of primordial inflation displays a 3 sigma tension with the recent bounds on the tensor-to-scalar ratio of cosmological perturbations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Electroweak vacuum stability and finite quadratic radiative corrections

If the Standard Model (SM) is an effective theory, as currently believed, it is valid up to some energy scale $Λ$ to which the Higgs vacuum expectation value is sensitive throughout radiative quadratic terms. The latter ones destabilize the electroweak vacuum and generate the SM hierarchy problem. For a given perturbative Ultraviolet (UV) completion, the SM cutoff can be computed in terms of fundamental parameters. If the UV mass spectrum involves several scales the cutoff is not unique and each SM sector has its own UV cutoff $Λ_i$. We have performed this calculation assuming the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) is the SM UV completion. As a result, from the SM point of view, the quadratic corrections to the Higgs mass are equivalent to finite threshold contributions. For the measured values of the top quark and Higgs masses, and depending on the values of the different cutoffs $Λ_i$, these contributions can cancel even at renormalization scales as low as multi-TeV, unlike the case of a single cutoff where the cancellation only occurs at Planckian energies, a result originally obtained by Veltman. From the MSSM point of view, the requirement of stability of the electroweak minimum under radiative corrections is incorporated into the matching conditions and provides an extra constraint on the Focus Point solution to the little hierarchy problem in the MSSM. These matching conditions can be employed for precise calculations of the Higgs sector in scenarios with heavy supersymmetric fields.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

The universal Higgs fit

We perform a state-of-the-art global fit to all Higgs data. We synthesise them into a 'universal' form, which allows to easily test any desired model. We apply the proposed methodology to extract from data the Higgs branching ratios, production cross sections, couplings and to analyse composite Higgs models, models with extra Higgs doublets, supersymmetry, extra particles in the loops, anomalous top couplings, invisible Higgs decay into Dark Matter. Best fit regions lie around the Standard Model predictions and are well approximated by our 'universal' fit. Latest data exclude the dilaton as an alternative to the Higgs, and disfavour fits with negative Yukawa couplings. We derive for the first time the SM Higgs boson mass from the measured rates, rather than from the peak positions, obtaining $M_h = 125.0 \pm 1.8$ GeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

The Gravitational Wave Background and Higgs False Vacuum Inflation

For a narrow band of values of the top quark and Higgs boson masses, the Standard Model Higgs potential develops a shallow local minimum at energies of about $10^{16}$ GeV, where primordial inflation could have started in a cold metastable state. For each point of that band, the highness of the Higgs potential at the false minimum is calculable, and there is an associated prediction for the inflationary gravitational wave background, namely for the tensor to scalar ratio $r$. We show that the recent measurement of $r$ by the BICEP2 collaboration, $r=0.16 _{-0.05}^{+0.06}$ at $1σ$, combined with the most up-to-date measurements of the top quark and Higgs boson masses, reveals that the hypothesis that a Standard Model shallow false minimum was the source of inflation in the early Universe is viable.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

On the Veltman Condition, the Hierarchy Problem and High-Scale Supersymmetry

In this paper we have considered the possibility that the Standard Model, and its minimal extension with the addition of singlets, merges with a high-scale supersymmetric theory at a scale satisfying the Veltman condition and therefore with no sensitivity to the cutoff. The matching of the Standard Model is achieved at Planckian scales. In its complex singlet extension the matching scale depends on the strength of the coupling between the singlet and Higgs fields. For order one values of the coupling, still in the perturbative region, the matching scale can be located in the TeV ballpark. Even in the absence of quadratic divergences there remains a finite adjustment of the parameters in the high-energy theory which should guarantee that the Higgs and the singlets in the low-energy theory are kept light. This fine-tuning (unrelated to quadratic divergences) is the entire responsibility of the ultraviolet theory and remains as the missing ingredient to provide a full solution to the hierarchy problem.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Repressing Anarchy in Neutrino Mass Textures

The recent results that $θ_{13}$ is relatively large, of the order of the previous upper bound, and the indications of a sizable deviation of $θ_{23}$ from the maximal value are in agreement with the predictions of Anarchy in the lepton sector. The quark and charged lepton hierarchies can then be reproduced in a SU(5) GUT context by attributing non-vanishing $U(1)_{FN}$ charges, different for each family, only to the SU(5) tenplet states. The fact that the observed mass hierarchies are stronger for up quarks than for down quarks and charged leptons supports this idea. As discussed in the past, in the flexible context of $SU(5)\otimes U(1)_{FN}$, different patterns of charges can be adopted going from Anarchy to various types of hierarchy. We revisit this approach by also considering new models and we compare all versions to the present data. As a result we confirm that, by relaxing the extreme ansatz of equal $U(1)_{FN}$ charges for all SU(5) pentaplets and singlets, better agreement with the data than for Anarchy is obtained without increasing the model complexity. We also present the distributions obtained in the different models for the Dirac CP-violating phase. Finally we discuss the relative merits of these simple models.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Hints of a Charge Asymmetry in the Electron and Positron Cosmic-Ray Excesses

By combining the recent data from AMS-02 with those from Fermi-LAT, we show the emergence of a charge asymmetry in the electron and positron cosmic-ray excesses, slightly favoring the electron component. Astrophysical and dark matter inspired models introduced to explain the observed excesses can be classified according to their prediction for the charge asymmetry and its energy dependence. Future data confirming the presence of a charge asymmetry, would imply that an asymmetric production mechanism is at play.

hep-ph↗