arXiv subjects

Jason L. Evans

Publications and source records attributed to Jason L. Evans.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Planck-Scale Effects on Nucleon Decay in Minimal Supersymmetric SU(5)

We examine the impact on the phenomenology of the minimal supersymmetric SU(5) Grand Unified Theory (GUT) of dimension-5 operators with coefficients suppressed by the Planck mass scale, with particular emphasis on predictions for nucleon decay. We incorporate dimension-5 operators in both the Higgs sector and the Yukawa interactions in the theory, and take account of the constraints from gauge coupling measurements, the mass of the Higgs boson, fermion masses and the cold dark matter density. We consider two scenarios for soft supersymmetry breaking: the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM) and the Non-Universal Higgs Model (NUHM). We present predictions for the nucleon decay modes $p \to \pi^0 e^+, \pi^0 \mu^+, K^+ \bar \nu, \pi^+ \bar \nu$, $K^0 e^+, K^0 \mu^+$ and $n\to \pi^0 \bar \nu$, $\pi^- e^+, K^0 \bar \nu$, which we compare with both the present experimental sensitivities and those projected for the JUNO and Hyper-Kamiokande experiments. We find that these experiments may have interesting possibilities for discovering several of these decay modes.

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arXiv2025

Electric Dipole Moments from Axion-Like Particle Dark Matter Background

New one- and two-loop contributions to the lepton's and nucleon's EDM, which are induced by an axion-like particle dark matter background, are examined. These contributions include effects from CP-violating ALP interactions with photons, leptons and nucleons. The contribution to the EDM is so larger it leads to new constraints on the CP violating couplings of axion-like particles, if the axion-like particle mass is smaller than $10^{-11} $ eV.

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arXiv2025

Proton Lifetime in Minimal Supersymmetric SU(5) with Gauge Mediation

In this paper, we discuss the predicted proton lifetimes in minimal supersymmetric (SUSY) $SU(5)$ grand unified theory (GUT) with gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking (GMSB). We focus on the case of $\mathbf{5} + \mathbf{\bar{5}}$ messengers and determine the low-scale mass spectrum of the scalar particles and gauginos using the renormalization group equations. With the obtained mass spectrum, we calculate the dominant proton decay mode for SUSY $SU(5)$ GUT, $p \to K^+ \barν$. In our setup, we assume the messenger scale to be $\mathcal{O}(10^3)$ TeV in order to obtain a proper Higgs mass in GMSB scenario. For this messenger scale, we find the proton lifetime is consistent with current experimental limits and can be tested by future proton decay experiments.

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arXiv2024

Electric Dipole Moments From Missed Dark Matter Scattering

Axion-like particles are a well-motivated candidate for ultralight dark matter. Because dark matter must be non-relativistic, the effects of its scattering with Standard Model particles are negligible and generally go unnoticed. However, due to the large occupation number of ultralight dark matter, the sum of all scatterings leads to a classical field-like interaction with Standard Model particles. In the case of an axion-like particle, this scattering imparts a parity violating effect. If this collective scattering with axion-like particles is inserted into the one-loop quantum electrodynamics diagram, the parity violation imparted by this scattering will convert the anomalous magnetic moment contribution into an electric dipole moment. This contribution is quite large and leads to a prediction inconsistent with precision measurements of the proton and electron electric dipole moments, unless their couplings to the axion-like particles are very weak. As a result, the constraints on the couplings of axion-like particle dark matter to the electron and proton are improved by as much as eleven and six orders of magnitude, respectively.

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arXiv2024

Effective two-loop background contributions to $g_e-2$

Recent work has shown the utility of examining background effects from ultralight dark matter on precision measurements. This effect enhances seemingly benign contributions to the level that experiments are sensitive to them. In this work, we examine the consequences of the effective axion-like particles coupling to photons in a background of axion-like particle dark matter. This analysis leads to new constraints on the product of the axion electron and axion photon coupling. Furthermore, since the axion photon coupling is generated, at one loop, by a pseudoscalar Yukawa coupling, this calculation can also be applied to constraining the axion-like particles coupling to the electron at the two-loop level. This contribution often dominates due to the fact that the one-loop contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron from a pseudoscalar is momentum suppressed.

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arXiv2023

Flavor- and CP-safe explanation of $g_μ-2$ anomaly

Supersymmetry is still a viable explanation for the muon $g-2$ anomaly, if the sleptons and electroweak gauginos are $\mathcal{O}(100)$ GeV. However, for supersymmetry breaking masses this light, the SUSY flavor and CP-problem are exacerbated. To address this issue, we consider a flavor-safe gauge mediated explanation of the muon $g-2$ with additional Higgs soft supersymmetry breaking mass parameters. The setup provides a generic parameter space within minimal gauge mediation. Furthermore, we show that the problematic CP violating phase can be dynamically suppressed. We find that gauge mediation models have large portions of parameter space where the muon $g-2$ can be explained at 1 $σ$ level. The interplay between the slepton and the CP-odd Higgs masses also makes the majority of this model's parameter space testable at the LHC through searches for sleptons or additional Higgs bosons.

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arXiv2023

Effect of Ultralight Dark Matter on $g-2$ of the Electron

If dark matter is ultralight, the number density of dark matter is very high and the techniques of zero-temperature field theory are no longer valid. The dark matter number density modifies the vacuum giving it a non-negligible particle occupation number. For fermionic dark matter, this occupation number can be no larger than one. However, in the case of bosons the occupation number is unbounded. If there is a large occupation number, the Bose enhancement needs to be taken into consideration for any process involving particles which interact with the dark matter. Because the occupation number scales inversely with the dark matter mass, this effect is most prominent for ultralight dark matter. In fact, the Bose enhancement effect from the background is so significant for ultralight dark matter that, if dark matter is a dark photon, the correction to the anomalous magnetic moment is larger than experimental uncertainties for a mixing parameter of order $10^{-16}$ and a dark photon mass of order $10^{-20}$ eV. Furthermore, the constraint on the mixing parameter scales linearly with the dark photon mass and so new significant constraints can be placed on the dark matter mass all the way up to $10^{-14}$ eV. Future experiments measuring $g-2$ will probe even smaller gauge mixing parameters.

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arXiv2022

W boson mass anomaly and grand unification

It is known that the recently reported shift of the W boson mass can be easily explained by an $SU(2)_L$ triplet Higgs boson with a zero hypercharge if it obtains a vacuum expectation value (VEV) of $O(1)$ GeV. Surprisingly, the addition of a TeV scale complex triplet Higgs boson to the standard model (SM) leads to a precise unification of the gauge couplings at around $10^{14}$ GeV. We consider that it is a consequence of $SU(5)$ grand unification and show a possible potential for the Higgs fields yielding a weak scale complex $SU(2)$ triplet scalar boson. Although it seems the proton decay constraint would doom such a low-scale unification, we show that the constraint can be avoided by introducing vector-like fermions which mix with the SM fermions through mass terms involving the VEV of GUT breaking Higgs field. Importantly, the simplest viable model only requires the addition of one pair of vector-like fermions transforming ${\bf 10}$ and $\overline{\bf 10}$.

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arXiv2022

Higgsino Dark Matter in Pure Gravity Mediated Supersymmetry

We consider the prospects for the direct detection of dark matter in pure gravity meditation (PGM) models of supersymmetry breaking. Minimal PGM models require only two parameters, the gravitino mass, $m_{3/2}$, which sets the UV mass for all scalar masses, and $\tanβ$. Gaugino masses are generated through anomaly mediation. Typically the lightest supersymmetric state (the dark matter candidate) is a wino. Here, we consider a one-parameter extension of the minimal model by allowing the Higgs soft masses to deviate from universality. For simplicity, we take these to be equal and use the $μ$-term as a surrogate. We also consider non-universal stop masses. When $|μ| \sim 1$ TeV, the Higgsino is a viable dark matter candidate when the gravitino mass is of order $\sim 1$ PeV and $\tanβ\simeq 2$. We calculate the spin-dependent and spin-independent cross sections for dark matter scattering on protons. For spin-independent scattering, existing experimental limits place constraints on the PGM parameter space. Much of the currently allowed parameter space lies above the irreducible neutrino background. Thus, future direct detection experiments will be able to probe much of the remaining PGM parameter space.

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arXiv2021

Flipped SU(5) GUT Phenomenology: Proton Decay and $g_μ-2$

We consider proton decay and $g_μ- 2$ in flipped SU(5) GUT models. We first study scenarios in which the soft supersymmetry-breaking parameters are constrained to be universal at some high scale $M_{in}$ above the standard GUT scale where the QCD and electroweak SU(2) couplings unify. In this case the proton lifetime is typically $\gtrsim 10^{36}$~yrs, too long to be detected in the foreseeable future, and the supersymmetric contribution to $g_μ- 2$ is too small to contribute significantly to resolving the discrepancy between the experimental measurement and data-driven calculations within the Standard Model. However, we identify a region of the constrained flipped SU(5) parameter space with large couplings between the 10- and 5-dimensional GUT Higgs representations where $p \to e^+ π^0$ decay may be detectable in the Hyper-Kamiokande experiment now under construction, though the contribution to $g_μ-2$ is still small. A substantial contribution to $g_μ- 2$ is possible, however, if the universality constraints on the soft supersymmetry-breaking masses are relaxed. We find a `quadrifecta' region where observable proton decay co-exists with a (partial) supersymmetric resolution of the $g_μ- 2$ discrepancy and acceptable values of $m_h$ and the relic LSP density.

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arXiv2021

Upper Limit on the Proton Lifetime in Minimal Supersymetric SU(5)

In minimal supersymmetric SU(5) models, the proton can decay through dimension 5 operators. Since this decay depends directly on the supersymmetric soft masses, it will be constrained by other observables which depend on the soft masses, such as the Higgs mass and the dark matter relic density. In this work, we will examine the upper limit on the proton lifetime in minimal supersymmetric SU(5) with constrained minimal supersymmetric (CMSSM) boundary conditions set at the grand unification scale. We perform a random scan over the variables of the (CMSSM), with of order $10^{6}$ points, and find that the proton lifetime is within reach of JUNO and Hyper-Kamiokande's experiment.

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arXiv2021

Flipped $g_μ-2$

We analyze the possible magnitude of the supersymmetric contribution to $g_μ- 2$ in a flipped SU(5) GUT model. Unlike other GUT models which are severely constrained by universality relations, in flipped SU(5) the U(1) gaugino mass and the soft supersymmetry-breaking masses of right-handed sleptons are unrelated to the other gaugino, slepton and squark masses. Consequently, the lightest neutralino and the right-handed smuon may be light enough to mitigate the discrepancy between the experimental measurement of $g_μ- 2$ and the Standard Model calculation, in which case they may be detectable at the LHC and/or a 250 GeV $e^+ e^-$ collider, whereas the other gauginos and sfermions are heavy enough to escape detection at the LHC.

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arXiv2021

A Minimal Supersymmetric SU(5) Missing-Partner Model

We explore a missing-partner model based on the minimal SU(5) gauge group with $\bf{75}$, $\bf{50}$ and $\bf{\overline{50}}$ Higgs representations, assuming a super-GUT CMSSM scenario in which soft supersymmetry-breaking parameters are universal at some high scale $M_{\rm in}$ above the GUT scale $M_{\rm GUT}$. We identify regions of parameter space that are consistent with the cosmological dark matter density, the measured Higgs mass and the experimental lower limit on $τ(p \to K^+ ν)$. These constraints can be satisfied simultaneously along stop coannihilation strips in the super-GUT CMSSM with $\tan β\sim 3.5 - 5$ where the input gaugino mass $m_{1/2} \sim 15 - 25$~TeV, corresponding after strong renormalization by the large GUT Higgs representations between $M_{\rm in}$ and $M_{\rm GUT}$ to $m_{\rm LSP}, m_{\tilde t_1} \sim 2.5 - 5$~TeV and $m_{\tilde g} \sim 13 - 20$~TeV, with the light-flavor squarks significantly heavier. We find that $τ(p \to K^+ ν) \lesssim 3 \times 10^{34}$~yrs throughout the allowed range of parameter space, within the range of the next generation of searches with the JUNO, DUNE and Hyper-Kamiokande experiments.

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arXiv2020

Low-Energy Probes of No-Scale SU(5) Super-GUTs

We explore the possible values of the $μ\to e γ$ branching ratio, $\text{BR}(μ\rightarrow eγ)$, and the electron dipole moment (eEDM), $d_e$, in no-scale SU(5) super-GUT models with the boundary conditions that soft supersymmetry-breaking matter scalar masses vanish at some high input scale, $M_{\rm in}$, above the GUT scale, $M_{\rm GUT}$. We take into account the constraints from the cosmological cold dark matter density, $Ω_{CDM} h^2$, the Higgs mass, $M_h$, and the experimental lower limit on the lifetime for $p \to K^+ \bar ν$, the dominant proton decay mode in these super-GUT models. Reconciling this limit with $Ω_{CDM} h^2$ and $M_h$ requires the Higgs field responsible for the charge-2/3 quark masses to be twisted, and possibly also that responsible for the charge-1/3 and charged-lepton masses, with model-dependent soft supersymmetry-breaking masses. We consider six possible models for the super-GUT initial conditions, and two possible choices for quark flavor mixing, contrasting their predictions for proton decay with versions of the models in which mixing effects are neglected. We find that $τ\left(p\rightarrow K^+ \barν\right)$ may be accessible to the upcoming Hyper-Kamiokande experiment, whereas all the models predict $\text{BR}(μ\rightarrow eγ)$ and $d_e$ below the current and prospective future experimental sensitivities or both flavor choices, when the dark matter density, Higgs mass and current proton decay constraints are taken into account. However, there are limited regions with one of the flavor choices in two of the models where $μ\to e$ conversion on a heavy nucleus may be observable in the future. Our results indicate that there is no supersymmetric flavor problem in the class of no-scale models we consider.

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arXiv2020

Proton Decay in Product Group Unification

Product group unification is an attractive alternative to simple grand unification. It solves the infamous doublet-triplet splitting problem and the dimension-5 proton decay problems without introducing any fine-tuning. Furthermore, the matter multiplets are still embedded into unified SU(5) representations. In this paper, we discuss proton decay of the simplest product group unification model based on SU(5)XU(2)_H . We find that the minimal setup of the model has already been excluded by dimension-6 proton decay. We also show that a simple extension of the model, with naturally generated SU(5) incomplete multiplets, can rectify this problem. We find that the proton lifetime will be in reach of coming experiments like DUNE and Hyper-K, when the mass of the incomplete multiplet is associated with the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking. In this case, the dark matter may be an admixture of the Wino LSP and the axion.

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arXiv2019

Supersymmetric Proton Decay Revisited

Encouraged by the advent of a new generation of underground detectors---JUNO, DUNE and Hyper-Kamiokande---that are projected to improve significantly on the present sensitivities to various baryon decay modes, we revisit baryon decay in the minimal supersymmetric SU(5) GUT. We discuss the phenomenological uncertainties associated with hadronic matrix elements and the value of the strong coupling $α_s$---which are the most important---the weak mixing angle $θ_W$, quark masses including one-loop renormalization effects, quark mixing and novel GUT phases that are not visible in electroweak interaction processes. We apply our analysis to a variety of CMSSM, super- and sub-GUT scenarios in which soft supersymmetry-breaking parameters are assumed to be universal at, above and below the GUT scale, respectively. In many cases, we find that the next generation of underground detectors should be able to probe models with sparticle masses that are ${\cal O}(10)$~TeV, beyond the reach of the LHC.

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arXiv2019

Long-Lived Particles at the Energy Frontier: The MATHUSLA Physics Case

We examine the theoretical motivations for long-lived particle (LLP) signals at the LHC in a comprehensive survey of Standard Model (SM) extensions. LLPs are a common prediction of a wide range of theories that address unsolved fundamental mysteries such as naturalness, dark matter, baryogenesis and neutrino masses, and represent a natural and generic possibility for physics beyond the SM (BSM). In most cases the LLP lifetime can be treated as a free parameter from the $μ$m scale up to the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis limit of $\sim 10^7$m. Neutral LLPs with lifetimes above $\sim$ 100m are particularly difficult to probe, as the sensitivity of the LHC main detectors is limited by challenging backgrounds, triggers, and small acceptances. MATHUSLA is a proposal for a minimally instrumented, large-volume surface detector near ATLAS or CMS. It would search for neutral LLPs produced in HL-LHC collisions by reconstructing displaced vertices (DVs) in a low-background environment, extending the sensitivity of the main detectors by orders of magnitude in the long-lifetime regime. In this white paper we study the LLP physics opportunities afforded by a MATHUSLA-like detector at the HL-LHC. We develop a model-independent approach to describe the sensitivity of MATHUSLA to BSM LLP signals, and compare it to DV and missing energy searches at ATLAS or CMS. We then explore the BSM motivations for LLPs in considerable detail, presenting a large number of new sensitivity studies. While our discussion is especially oriented towards the long-lifetime regime at MATHUSLA, this survey underlines the importance of a varied LLP search program at the LHC in general. By synthesizing these results into a general discussion of the top-down and bottom-up motivations for LLP searches, it is our aim to demonstrate the exceptional strength and breadth of the physics case for the construction of the MATHUSLA detector.

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arXiv2019

A Minimal SU(5) SuperGUT in Pure Gravity Mediation

The lack of evidence for low-scale supersymmetry suggests that the scale of supersymmetry breaking may be higher than originally anticipated. However, there remain many motivations for supersymmetry including gauge coupling unification and a stable dark matter candidate. Models like pure gravity mediation (PGM) evade LHC searches while still providing a good dark matter candidate and gauge coupling unification. Here, we study the effects of PGM if the input boundary conditions for soft supersymmetry breaking masses are pushed beyond the unification scale and higher dimensional operators are included. The added running beyond the unification scale opens up the parameter space by relaxing the constraints on $\tanβ$. If higher dimensional operators involving the SU(5) adjoint Higgs are included, the mass of the heavy gauge bosons of SU(5) can be suppressed leading to proton decay, $p\to π^0 e^+$, that is within reach of future experiments. Higher dimensional operators involving the supersymmetry breaking field can generate additional contributions to the A- and B-terms of order $m_{3/2}$. The threshold effects involving these A- and B-terms significantly impact the masses of the gauginos and can lead to a bino LSP. In some regions of parameter space the bino can be degenerate with the wino or gluino and give an acceptable dark matter relic density.

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