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John Ellis

Publications and source records attributed to John Ellis.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
arXiv2004

Flipped Cryptons and the UHECRs

Cryptons are metastable bound states of fractionally-charged particles that arise generically in the hidden sectors of models derived from heterotic string. We study their properties and decay modes in a specific flipped SU(5) model with long-lived four-particle spin-zero bound states called {\it tetrons}. We show that the neutral tetrons are metastable, and exhibit the tenth-order non-renormalizable superpotential operators responsible for their dominant decays. By analogy with QCD, we expect charged tetrons to be somewhat heavier, and to decay relatively rapidly via lower-order interactions that we also exhibit. The expected masses and lifetimes of the neutral tetrons make them good candidates for cold dark matter (CDM), and a potential source of the ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) which have been observed, whereas the charged tetrons would have decayed in the early Universe.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

LHC Signatures of Resonant CP Violation in a Minimal Supersymmetric Higgs Sector

We present the general formalism for studying CP-violating phenomena in the production, mixing and decay of a coupled system of CP-violating neutral Higgs bosons at high-energy colliders. Considering the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) Higgs sector in which CP violation is radiatively induced by phases in the soft supersymmetry-breaking third-generation trilinear squark couplings and gaugino masses, we apply our formalism to neutral Higgs production via {\bar b}b, gg and W^+ W^- collisions at the LHC. We discuss CP asymmetries in the longitudinal and transverse polarizations of τ^+ τ^- pairs. The signatures of CP violation are more prominent in the production via gg and W^+ W^- than via {\bar b}b, and are resonantly enhanced when two (or all three) neutral Higgs bosons are nearly degenerate with mass differences comparable to their decay widths. Such scenarios occur naturally in the MSSM for values of \tanβ>~ 5 (30) and large (small) charged Higgs-boson masses. We analyze representative examples with large mixing between the three neutral Higgs bosons weighing about 120 GeV, that may exhibit observable CP asymmetries even as large as 80%.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Space-Time Foam may Violate the Principle of Equivalence

The interactions of different particle species with the foamy space-time fluctuations expected in quantum gravity theories may not be universal, in which case different types of energetic particles may violate Lorentz invariance by varying amounts, violating the equivalence principle. We illustrate this possibility in two different models of space-time foam based on D-particle fluctuations in either flat Minkowski space or a stack of intersecting D-branes. Both models suggest that Lorentz invariance could be violated for energetic particles that do not carry conserved charges, such as photons, whereas charged particles such electrons would propagate in a Lorentz-inavariant way. The D-brane model further suggests that gluon propagation might violate Lorentz invariance, but not neutrinos. We argue that these conclusions hold at both the tree (lowest-genus) and loop (higher-genus) levels, and discuss their implications for the phenomenology of quantum gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2004

Gravitino Dark Matter in the CMSSM

We consider the possibility that the gravitino might be the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) in the constrained minimal extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM). In this case, the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NSP) would be unstable, with an abundance constrained by the concordance between the observed light-element abundances and those calculated on the basis of the baryon-to-entropy ratio determined using CMB data. We modify and extend previous CMSSM relic neutralino calculations to evaluate the NSP density, also in the case that the NSP is the lighter stau, and show that the constraint from late NSP decays is respected only in a limited region of the CMSSM parameter space. In this region, gravitinos might constitute the dark matter.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

A supersymmetric D-brane Model of Space-Time Foam

We present a supersymmetric model of space-time foam with two stacks of eight D8-branes with equal string tensions, separated by a single bulk dimension containing D0-brane particles that represent quantum fluctuations in the space-time foam. The ground state configuration with static D-branes has zero vacuum energy. However, gravitons and other closed-string states propagating through the bulk may interact with the D0-particles, causing them to recoil and the vacuum energy to become non zero. This provides a possible origin of dark energy. Recoil also distorts the background metric felt by energetic massless string states, which travel at less than the usual (low-energy) velocity of light. On the other hand, the propagation of chiral matter anchored on the D8 branes is not affected by such space-time foam effects.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2004

Very Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Models

We consider very constrained versions of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (VCMSSMs) which, in addition to constraining the scalar masses m_0 and gaugino masses m_{1/2} to be universal at some input scale, impose relations between the trilinear and bilinear soft supersymmetry breaking parameters A_0 and B_0. These relations may be linear, as in simple minimal supergravity models, or nonlinear, as in the Giudice-Masiero mechanism for generating the Higgs-mixing mu term. We discuss the application of the electroweak vacuum conditions in VCMSSMs, which may be used to make a prediction for tan beta as a function of m_0 and m_{1/2} that is usually unique. We baseline the discussion of the parameter spaces allowed in VCMSSMs by updating the parameter space allowed in the CMSSM for fixed values of tan beta with no relation between A_0 and B_0 assumed {\it a priori}, displaying contours of B_0 for a fixed input value of A_0, incorporating the latest CDF/D0 measurement of m_t and the latest BNL measurement of g_mu - 2. We emphasize that phenomenological studies of the CMSSM are frequently not applicable to specific VCMSSMs, notably those based on minimal supergravity, which require m_0 = m_{3/2} as well as A_0 = B_0 + m_0. We then display (m_{1/2}, m_0) planes for selected VCMSSMs, treating in a unified way the parameter regions where either a neutralino or the gravitino is the LSP. In particular, we examine in detail the allowed parameter space for the Giudice-Masiero model.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Patterns of Lepton-Flavour Violation Motivated by Decoupling and Sneutrino Inflation

We present predictions for flavour-violating charged-lepton decays induced by the seesaw mechanism implemented within the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model (CMSSM) with universal input soft supersymmetry breaking terms. We assume that one heavy singlet neutrino almost decouples from the see-saw mechanism, as suggested by the pattern of light neutrino masses and mixing angles. This is suggested independently by sneutrino inflation with a low reheating temperature, T(RH)<10^7 GeV, so as to avoid overproducing gravitinos. This requirement further fixes the mass of the weakly-coupled sneutrino, whose decays may lead to leptogenesis. We find that BR(mu->e gamma)>10^(-13) but BR(tau->mu gamma)<10^(-9) in the bulk of the acceptable parameter space, apart from a few isolated points. The ratio BR(mu->e gamma)/BR(tau->mu gamma) depends on only one complex parameter, and is particularly interesting to compare with experiment.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Chiral-Soliton Predictions for Exotic Baryons

We re-analyze the predictions of chiral-soliton models for the masses and decay widths of baryons in the exotic antidecuplet of flavour SU(3). The calculated ranges of the chiral-soliton moment of inertia and the π-nucleon scattering Σterm are used together with the observed baryon octet and decuplet mass splittings to estimate 1430 MeV < m_{Θ^+} < 1660 MeV} and 1790 MeV < m_{Ξ^{--}} < 1970 MeV. These are consistent with the masses reported recently, but more precise predictions rely on ambiguous identifications of non-exotic baryon resonances. The overall decay rates of antidecuplet states are sensitive to the singlet axial-current matrix element in the nucleon. Taking this from polarized deep-inelastic scattering experiments, we find a suppression of the total Θ^+ and Ξ^{--} decay widths that may not be sufficient by itself to reproduce the narrow widths required by experiments. We calculate SU(3) breaking effects due to representation mixing and find that they tend to suppress the Θ^+ decay width, while enhancing that of the Ξ^{--}. We predict light masses for some exotic 27 baryons, including the I=1, J^P={3/2}^+ Θ^+ and I=3/2, J^P={3/2}^+ Ξmultiplets, and calculate their decay widths.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2004

Sneutrino Inflation

The seesaw model of neutrinos might explain the size, age, flatness and near-homogeneity of the Universe via sneutrino inflation, as well as explaining the origin of matter via leptogenesis. The sneutrino inflation hypothesis makes specific, testable predictions for cosmic microwave background observables, which are compatible with the first release of data from WMAP, and for flavour-violating charged-lepton decays. In particular, mu -> e gamma should occur with a branching ratio very close to the present experimental upper limit, whilst tau -> mu gamma and e gamma should occur further below the present limits.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Connections Between Big and Small

Big-Bang cosmology and ideas for possible physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics are introduced. The density budget of the Universe is audited, and the issues involved in calculating the baryon density from microphysics are mentioned, as is the role of cold dark matter in the formation of cosmological structures. Candidates for cold dark matter are introduced, with particular attention to the lightest supersymmetric particle and metastable superheavy relics. Prospects for detecting supersymmetric dark matter in non-accelerator experiments are assessed, and the possible role of decays in generating ultra-high-energy cosmic rays is discussed. More details of these and other astroparticle topics are presented during the rest of this Summer Institute.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2003

Cosmic Connections

A National Research Council study on connecting quarks with the cosmos has recently posed a number of the more important open questions at the interface between particle physics and cosmology. These questions include the nature of dark matter and dark energy, how the Universe began, modifications to gravity, the effects of neutrinos on the Universe, how cosmic accelerators work, and whether there are new states of matter at high density and pressure. These questions are discussed in the context of the talks presented at this Summer Institute.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2003

Likelihood Analysis of the CMSSM Parameter Space

We present a likelihood analysis of the parameter space of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM), in which the input scalar masses m_0 and fermion masses m_{1/2} are each assumed to be universal. We include the full experimental likelihood function from the LEP Higgs search as well as the likelihood from a global precision electroweak fit. We also include the likelihoods for b to s gamma decay and (optionally) g_mu - 2. For each of these inputs, both the experimental and theoretical errors are treated. We include the systematic errors stemming from the uncertainties in m_t and m_b, which are important for delineating the allowed CMSSM parameter space as well as calculating the relic density of supersymmetric particles. We assume that these dominate the cold dark matter density, with a density in the range favoured by WMAP. We display the global likelihood function along cuts in the (m_{1/2}, m_0) planes for tan beta = 10 and both signs of mu, tan beta = 35, mu < 0 and tan beta = 50, mu > 0, which illustrate the relevance of g_mu - 2 and the uncertainty in m_t. We also display likelihood contours in the (m_{1/2}, m_0) planes for these values of tan beta. The likelihood function is generally larger for mu > 0 than for mu < 0, and smaller in the focus-point region than in the bulk and coannihilation regions, but none of these possibilities can yet be excluded.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

High-Energy Constraints on the Direct Detection of MSSM Neutralinos

The requirement that the MSSM remain an acceptable effective field theory up to energies beyond the weak scale constrains the sparticle spectrum, and hence the permissible ranges of cold dark matter neutralino-proton cross sections. Specifically, squarks are generally much heavier than sleptons if no tachyons are to appear before the GUT scale ~10^16 GeV, or even before 10 TeV. We display explicitly the allowed ranges of effective squark and slepton masses at the weak scale, and the cross-section ranges allowed if the MSSM is to remain valid without tachyons up to 10 TeV or the GUT scale. The allowed areas in the cross section-mass plane for both spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering are significantly smaller than would be allowed if the MSSM were required to be valid only around the weak scale. In addition to a reduction in the maximum cross section, the upper limit on the neutralino mass is greatly reduced when tachyons are avoided, particularly for smaller values of the squark masses.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Meson-Baryon Scattering in QCD_2 for any Coupling

Extending earlier work on strong-coupling meson-baryon scattering in QCD_2, we derive the effective meson-baryon action for any value of the coupling constant, in the large-N_c limit. Colour degrees of freedom play an important role, and we show that meson-baryon scattering can be formulated as a relativistic potential problem. We distinguish two cases that are non-trivial for unequal quark masses, and present the resulting equations for meson-baryon scattering amplitudes.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Particle Physics and Cosmology

In the first Lecture, the Big Bang and the Standard Model of particle physics are introduced, as well as the structure of the latter and open issues beyond it. Neutrino physics is discussed in the second Lecture, with emphasis on models for neutrino masses and oscillations. The third Lecture is devoted to supersymmetry, including the prospects for discovering it at accelerators or as cold dark matter. Inflation is reviewed from the viewpoint of particle physics in the fourth Lecture, including simple models with a single scalar inflaton field: the possibility that this might be a sneutrino is proposed. Finally, the fifth Lecture is devoted to topics further beyond the Standard Model, such as grand unification, baryo- and leptogenesis - that might be due to sneutrino inflaton decays - and ultra-high-energy cosmic rays - that might be due to the decays of metastable superheavy dark matter particles.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2003

Dark Matter and Dark Energy: Summary and Future Directions

This paper reviews the progress reported at this Royal Society Discussion Meeting and advertizes some possible future directions in our drive to understand dark matter and dark energy. Additionally, a first attempt is made to place in context the exciting new results from the WMAP satellite, which were published shortly after this Meeting. In the first part of this review, pieces of observational evidence shown here that bear on the amounts of dark matter and dark energy are reviewed. Subsequently, particle candidates for dark matter are mentioned, and detection strategies are discussed. Finally, ideas are presented for calculating the amounts of dark matter and dark energy, and possibly relating them to laboratory data.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2002

What Next in Flavour Physics and CP Violation?

The future of flavour physics and CP violation in the quark, lepton and Higgs sectors are discussed, particularly from the viewpoint of physics beyond the Standard Model, such as supersymmetry. Current issues in B to pi^+ pi^-, phi K_s and D^*+ D^*-, B_s physics and rare B decays are reviewed. The prospects for seeing flavour and CP violation in the charged-lepton sector are discussed, using the minimal supersymmetric seesaw model as a guide. Finally, the possible consequences of CP violation in the Higgs sector are mentioned.

hep-ph↗