arXiv subjects

Jean-François Fortin

Publications and source records attributed to Jean-François Fortin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

A No-Go Theorem for Fully SGUTs with Metastable SUSY Breaking

We introduce fully SGUTs, SUSY grand unified theories that, upon symmetry breaking through the Higgs mechanism, decompose into a visible sector and an extra sector where the dynamics of the extra sector gauge group is responsible for SUSY breaking. Fully SGUTs thus have the important feature that all gauge groups of the visible sector and the extra sector unify into a simple gauge group at the SGUT scale, therefore generalizing the successful MSSM gauge coupling unification to all the gauge couplings of the theory. By focusing on the ISS SUSY-breaking mechanism in the extra sector, we show that it is impossible to reproduce the MSSM matter content when there exists a metastable ISS SUSY-breaking state.

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arXiv2017

A Probability Density Function for Neutrino Masses and Mixings

The anarchy principle leading to the see-saw ensemble is studied analytically with the usual tools of random matrix theory. The probability density function for the see-saw ensemble of $N\times N$ matrices is obtained in terms of a multidimensional integral. This integral involves all light neutrino masses, leading to a complicated probability density function. It is shown that the probability density function for the neutrino mixing angles and phases is the appropriate Haar measure. The decoupling of the light neutrino masses and neutrino mixings implies no correlation between the neutrino mass eigenstates and the neutrino mixing matrix and leads to a loss of predictive power when comparing with observations. This decoupling is in agreement with some of the claims found in the literature.

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arXiv2016

Consistency of Scalar Potentials from Quantum de Sitter Space

Consistency of the unconventional view of de Sitter space as a quantum theory of gravity with a finite number of degrees of freedom requires that Coleman-De Luccia tunneling rates to vacua with negative cosmological constant should be interpreted as recurrences to low-entropy states. This demand translates into two constraints, or consistency conditions, on the scalar potential which are generically: 1) the distance in field space between the de Sitter vacuum and any other vacuum with negative cosmological constant must be of the order of the reduced Planck mass or larger and 2) the fourth root of the vacuum energy density of the de Sitter vacuum must be smaller than the fourth root of the typical scale of the scalar potential. These consistency conditions shed a different light on both outstanding hierarchy problems of the Standard Model of particle physics: the scale of electroweak symmetry breaking and the scale of the cosmological constant. Beyond the unconventional interpretation of quantum de Sitter space, we complete the analytic understanding of the thin-wall approximation of Coleman-De Luccia tunneling, extend its numerical analysis to generic potentials and discuss the role of gravity in stabilizing the Standard Model potential.

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arXiv2016

Conformal Bootstrap in Embedding Space

It is shown how to obtain conformal blocks from embedding space with the help of the operator product expansion. The minimal conformal block originates from scalar exchange in a four-point correlation functions of four scalars. All remaining conformal blocks are simple derivatives of the minimal conformal block. With the help of the orthogonality properties of the conformal blocks, the analytic conformal bootstrap can be implemented directly in embedding space, leading to a Jacobi-like definition of conformal field theories.

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arXiv2015

Limit Cycles and Conformal Invariance

There is a widely held belief that conformal field theories (CFTs) require zero beta functions. Nevertheless, the work of Jack and Osborn implies that the beta functions are not actually the quantites that decide conformality, but until recently no such behavior had been exhibited. Our recent work has led to the discovery of CFTs with nonzero beta functions, more precisely CFTs that live on recurrent trajectories, e.g., limit cycles, of the beta-function vector field. To demonstrate this we study the S function of Jack and Osborn. We use Weyl consistency conditions to show that it vanishes at fixed points and agrees with the generator Q of limit cycles on them. Moreover, we compute S to third order in perturbation theory, and explicitly verify that it agrees with our previous determinations of Q. A byproduct of our analysis is that, in perturbation theory, unitarity and scale invariance imply conformal invariance in four-dimensional quantum field theories. Finally, we study some properties of these new, "cyclic" CFTs, and point out that the a-theorem still governs the asymptotic behavior of renormalization-group flows.

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arXiv2015

Scale without Conformal Invariance: Theoretical Foundations

We present the theoretical underpinnings of scale without conformal invariance in quantum field theory. In light of our results the gradient-flow interpretation of renormalization-group (RG) flow is challenged, due to deep connections between scale-invariant theories and recurrent behaviors in the RG. We show that, on scale-invariant trajectories, there is a redefinition of the dilatation current that leads to generators of dilatations that generate dilatations. Finally, we develop a systematic algorithm for the search of scale-invariant trajectories in perturbation theory.

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arXiv2015

Scale without Conformal Invariance at Three Loops

We carry out a three-loop computation that establishes the existence of scale without conformal invariance in dimensional regularization with the MS scheme in d=4-epsilon spacetime dimensions. We also comment on the effects of scheme changes in theories with many couplings, as well as in theories that live on non-conformal scale-invariant renormalization group trajectories. Stability properties of such trajectories are analyzed, revealing both attractive and repulsive directions in a specific example. We explain how our results are in accord with those of Jack & Osborn on a c-theorem in d=4 (and d=4-epsilon) dimensions. Finally, we point out that limit cycles with turning points are unlike limit cycles with continuous scale invariance.

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arXiv2015

Scale without Conformal Invariance: An Example

We give an explicit example of a model in D=4-epsilon space-time dimensions that is scale but not conformally invariant, is unitary, and has finite correlators. The invariance is associated with a limit cycle renormalization group (RG) trajectory. We also prove, to second order in the loop expansion, in D=4-epsilon, that scale implies conformal invariance for models of any number of real scalars. For models with one real scalar and any number of Weyl spinors we show that scale implies conformal invariance to all orders in perturbation theory.

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arXiv2014

Current OPEs in Superconformal Theories

It's well known that in conformal theories the two- and three-point functions of a subset of the local operators-the conformal primaries-suffice, via the operator product expansion (OPE), to determine all local correlation functions of operators. It's less well known that, in superconformal theories, the OPE of superdescendants is generally undetermined from those of the superprimaries, and there is no universal notion of superconformal blocks. We recall these and related aspects of 4d (S)CFTs, and then we focus on the super operator product expansion (sOPE) of conserved currents in 4d N=1 SCFTs. The current-current OPE J(x)J(0) has applications to general gauge mediation. We show how superconformal symmetry, when combined with current conservation, determines the OPE coefficients of superconformal descendants in terms of those of the superconformal primaries. We show that only integer-spin real superconformal primary operators of vanishing R-charge, and their descendants, appear in the sOPE. We also discuss superconformal blocks for four-point functions of the conserved currents.

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arXiv2013

Supernova Constraints on MeV Dark Sectors from e+ e- Annihilations

Theories with dark forces and dark sectors are of interest for dark matter models. In this paper we find the region in parameter space that is constrained by supernova cooling constraints when the models include dark sector particles with masses around 100 MeV or less. We include only interactions with electrons and positrons. The constraint is important for small mixing parameters.

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arXiv2013

White Dwarfs constrain Dark Forces

The white dwarf luminosity function, which provides information about their cooling, has been measured with high precision in the past few years. Simulations that include well known Standard Model physics give a good fit to the data. This leaves little room for new physics and makes these astrophysical objects a good laboratory for testing models beyond the Standard Model. It has already been suggested that white dwarfs might provide some evidence for the existence of axions. In this work we study the constraints that the white dwarf luminosity function puts on physics beyond the Standard Model involving new light particles (fermions or bosons) that can be pair-produced in a white dwarf and then escape to contribute to its cooling. We show, in particular, that we can severely constrain the parameter space of models with dark forces and light hidden sectors (lighter than a few tens of keV). The bounds we find are often more competitive than those from current lab searches and those expected from most future searches.

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arXiv2012

On Limit Cycles in Supersymmetric Theories

Contrary to popular belief conformality does not require zero beta functions. This follows from the work of Jack and Osborn, and examples in non-supersymmetric theories were recently found by some of us. In this note we show that such examples are absent in unitary N=1 supersymmetric four-dimensional field theories. More specifically, we show to all orders in perturbation theory that the beta-function vector field of such theories does not admit limit cycles. A corollary of our result is that unitary N=1 supersymmetric four-dimensional theories cannot be superscale-invariant without being superconformal.

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arXiv2012

Field-theoretic Methods in Strongly-Coupled Models of General Gauge Mediation

An often-exploited feature of the operator product expansion (OPE) is that it incorporates a splitting of ultraviolet and infrared physics. In this paper we use this feature of the OPE to perform simple, approximate computations of soft masses in gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. The approximation amounts to truncating the OPEs for hidden-sector current-current operator products. Our method yields visible-sector superpartner spectra in terms of vacuum expectation values of a few hidden-sector IR elementary fields. We manage to obtain reasonable approximations to soft masses, even when the hidden sector is strongly coupled. We demonstrate our techniques in several examples, including a new framework where supersymmetry-breaking arises both from a hidden sector and dynamically.

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arXiv2012

Limit Cycles in Four Dimensions

We present an example of a limit cycle, i.e., a recurrent flow-line of the beta-function vector field, in a unitary four-dimensional gauge theory. We thus prove that beta functions of four-dimensional gauge theories do not produce gradient flows. The limit cycle is established in perturbation theory with a three-loop calculation which we describe in detail.

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arXiv2012

Collider Constraints on Dipole-Interacting Dark Matter

Dark matter which interacts through a magnetic or electric dipole moment is an interesting possibility which may help to resolve the discrepancy between the DAMA annual modulation signal and the null results of other searches. In this article we examine relic density and collider constraints on such dark matter, and find that for couplings needed to explain DAMA, the thermal relic density is generically in the right ballpark to account for cosmological measurements. Collider constraints are relevant for light WIMPs, but less constraining that direct searches for masses above about 10 GeV.

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arXiv2011

Cyclic unparticle physics

We explore phenomenological consequences of coupling a non-conformal scale-invariant theory to the standard model. We point out that, under certain circumstances, non-conformal scale-invariant theories have oscillating correlation functions which can dramatically modify standard model processes. We dub this scenario cyclic unparticle physics, or simply cyclunparticle physics. We compute phase spaces and amplitudes associated with final state cyclunparticle and cyclunparticle exchange, respectively. We show detailed formulae in a simple example.

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arXiv2011

Superconformally Covariant OPE and General Gauge Mediation

We consider using broken superconformal symmetry and the super operator product expansion (sOPE) to constrain and analyze hidden sector theories that couple to our gauge forces and are not necessarily weakly coupled. Conformal and supersymmetry breaking are IR effects, associated with field or spurion expectation values, whereas the sOPE is determined in the UV and hence does not notice the breaking. The broken superconformal symmetry relates OPE coefficients of superconformal descendant operators to those of the superconformal primaries. We apply these ideas to the current correlators of general gauge mediation (GGM). We also consider analyticity properties of these correlators, e.g. their discontinuities, and use the optical theorem to relate them to total scattering cross sections from visible to hidden sector states, e.g. sigma(vis + vis --> hidden), analogous to sigma(e+ e- --> hadrons) in QCD. We discuss how the current-current OPE can be truncated to the first few terms to get a good approximation to the visible sector soft masses of GGM.

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arXiv2010

Direct Detection of Dark Matter Electromagnetic Dipole Moments

Dark matter candidates with electromagnetic dipole moments can arise as dark baryons in gauge-mediated or technicolor models. These dark matter candidates interact with nuclei in direct detection experiments mainly through magnetic and/or electric dipole moments. The scattering cross sections depend on the nuclear magnetic moments and nuclear charge and have an infrared enhancement compared with typical WIMP constant contact interactions, leading to distinctive nuclear recoil energy spectra. These characteristics result in an enhanced signal for the DAMA experiment compared with the CDMS or XENON experiments. The positive results of DAMA, along with the null results of CDMS and XENON, are consistent with a dark matter particle with magnetic dipole moment and a mass around ten GeV. Significant direct detection signals can arise from dipolar dark matter with mass up to of order tens of TeV.

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