arXiv subjects

Julian Heeck

Publications and source records attributed to Julian Heeck.

89 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Lepton Number Violation with and without Majorana Neutrinos

We discuss the various incarnations of a gauged B-L symmetry: 1) unbroken, it features Dirac neutrinos, neutrinogenesis to create the baryon asymmetry of our Universe, and a potentially light Z' boson; 2) broken by two units, we obtain the standard case of Majorana neutrinos, seesaw and thermal leptogenesis; 3) broken by four units, we find Dirac neutrinos with lepton-number-violating interactions, which can give rise to a new Dirac leptogenesis mechanism. We review and discuss the signatures distinguishing the three scenarios.

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arXiv2015

Explaining $h\toμ^\pmτ^\mp$, $B\to K^* μ^+μ^-$ and $B\to K μ^+μ^-/B\to K e^+e^-$ in a two-Higgs-doublet model with gauged $L_μ-L_τ$

The LHC observed so far three deviations from the Standard Model (SM) predictions in flavour observables: LHCb reported anomalies in $B\to K^* μ^+μ^-$ and $R(K)=B\to K μ^+μ^-/B\to K e^+e^-$ while CMS found an excess in $h\toμτ$. We show, for the first time, how these deviations from the SM can be explained within a single well-motivated model: a two-Higgs-doublet model with gauged $L_μ-L_τ$ symmetry. We find that, despite the constraints from $τ\toμμμ$ and $B_s$--$\overline{B}_s$ mixing, one can explain $h \toμτ$, $B\to K^* μ^+μ^-$ and $R(K)$ simultaneously, obtaining interesting correlations among the observables.

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arXiv2014

Unbroken B-L Symmetry

The difference between baryon number B and lepton number L is the only anomaly-free global symmetry of the Standard Model, easily promoted to a local symmetry by introducing three right-handed neutrinos, which automatically make neutrinos massive. The non-observation of any (B-L)-violating processes leads us to scrutinize the case of unbroken gauged B-L; besides Dirac neutrinos, the model contains only three parameters, the gauge coupling strength g', the Stueckelberg mass $M_{Z'}$, and the kinetic mixing angle $χ$. The new force could manifest itself at any scale, and we collect and derive bounds on g' over the entire testable range $M_{Z'}$ = 0 - $10^{13}$ eV, also of interest for the more popular case of spontaneously broken B-L or other new light forces. We show in particular that successful Big Bang nucleosynthesis provides strong bounds for masses 10 eV < $M_{Z'}$ < 10 GeV due to resonant enhancement of the rate $\bar{f} f \leftrightarrow \barν_R ν_R$. The strongest limits typically arise from astrophysics and colliders, probing scales $M_{Z'}/g'$ from TeV up to $10^{10}$ GeV.

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arXiv2014

Sterile neutrinos and right-handed currents in KATRIN

Kurie-plot experiments allow for neutrino-mass measurements based on kinematics in an almost model-independent manner. A future tritium-based KATRIN-like experiment can be sensitive to light sterile neutrinos with masses below 18 keV, which are among the prime candidates for warm dark matter. Here we consider such keV neutrinos in left--right symmetric extensions, i.e. coupled to right-handed currents, which allow for an enhanced contribution to beta decay even for small active--sterile mixing, without violating astrophysical X-ray constraints. The modified spectral shape is in principle distinguishable from the standard contribution---especially for sterile neutrino masses below 9 keV, which can lead to a distinct peak. We compare the sensitivity to constraints from the LHC and neutrinoless double beta decay.

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arXiv2013

Leptogenesis with Lepton-Number-Violating Dirac Neutrinos

Dirac neutrinos with lepton-number-violating interactions can give rise to a new leptogenesis mechanism. In its simplest renormalizable realization, based on a gauged B-L symmetry spontaneously broken by four units, the decay of a new scalar creates an asymmetry in the right-handed neutrinos. A neutrinophilic two-Higgs-doublet model converts this asymmetry to the baryons, provides a natural explanation of the small neutrino masses, and can lead to an effective number of relativistic degrees of freedom of N(eff) = 3.29 due to the entropy-suppressed contribution of the right-handed neutrinos.

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arXiv2013

Neutrinoless Quadruple Beta Decay

We point out that lepton number violation is possible even if neutrinos are Dirac particles. We illustrate this by constructing a simple model that allows for lepton number violation by four units only. As a consequence, neutrinoless double beta decay is forbidden, but neutrinoless quadruple beta decay is possible: $(A,Z) \to (A,Z+4) + 4 e^-$. We identify three candidate isotopes for this decay, the most promising one being Nd-150 due to its high $Q_{0ν4β}$-value of 2 MeV. Analogous processes, such as neutrinoless quadruple electron capture, are also possible. The expected lifetimes are extremely long, and experimental searches are challenging.

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arXiv2013

How stable is the photon?

Yes, the photon. While a nonzero photon mass has been under experimental and theoretical study for years, the possible implication of a finite photon lifetime lacks discussion. The tight experimental upper bound of the photon mass restricts the kinematically allowed final states of photon decay to the lightest neutrino and/or particles beyond the Standard Model. We discuss the modifications of the well-measured cosmic microwave background spectrum of free streaming photons due to photon mass and lifetime and obtain model-independent constraints on both parameters---most importantly a lower direct bound of 3 yr on the photon lifetime, should the photon mass be at its conservative upper limit. In that case, the lifetime of microwave photons will be time-dilated by a factor order 10^(15).

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arXiv2013

Exotic Charges, Multicomponent Dark Matter and Light Sterile Neutrinos

Generating small sterile neutrino masses via the same seesaw mechanism that suppresses active neutrino masses requires a specific structure in the neutral fermion mass matrix. We present a model where this structure is enforced by a new U(1)' gauge symmetry, spontaneously broken at the TeV scale. In order not to spoil the neutrino structure, the additional fermions necessary for anomaly cancellations need to carry exotic charges, and turn out to form multicomponent cold dark matter. The active-sterile mixing then connects the new particles and the Standard Model---opening a new portal in addition to the usual Higgs- and kinetic-mixing portals---which leads to dark matter annihilation almost exclusively into neutrinos.

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arXiv2013

Sterile Neutrino Anarchy

Lepton mixing, which requires physics beyond the Standard Model, is surprisingly compatible with a minimal, symmetryless and unbiased approach, called anarchy. This contrasts with highly involved flavor symmetry models. On the other hand, hints for light sterile neutrinos have emerged from a variety of independent experiments and observations. If confirmed, their existence would represent a groundbreaking discovery, calling for a theoretical interpretation. We discuss anarchy in the two-neutrino eV-scale seesaw framework. The distributions of mixing angles and masses according to anarchy are in agreement with global fits for the active and sterile neutrino parameters. Our minimal and economical scenario predicts the absence of neutrinoless double beta decay and one vanishing neutrino mass, and can therefore be tested in future experiments.

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arXiv2012

Seesaw parametrization for n right-handed neutrinos

Introducing n right-handed neutrinos to the Standard Model yields, in general, massive active neutrinos. We give explicit parametrizations for the involved mixing and coupling matrices in terms of physical parameters for both the top-down and the bottom-up approach for arbitrary n. Bounds on the complex mixing angles in the bottom-up approach from perturbativity of the Yukawa couplings to charged lepton flavor violation are discussed. As a novel illustration of possible effects from n != 3, we extend the neutrino anarchy framework to arbitrary n; we show that while the anarchic mixing angles are insensitive to the number of singlets, the observed ratios of neutrino masses prefer small n for the simplest linear measure.

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arXiv2012

Vanishing Minors in the Neutrino Mass Matrix from Abelian Gauge Symmetries

Augmenting the Standard Model by three right-handed neutrinos allows for an anomaly-free gauge group extension G_max = U(1)_(B-L) x U(1)_(L_e-L_mu) x U(1)_(L_mu-L_tau). While simple U(1) subgroups of G_max have already been discussed in the context of approximate flavor symmetries, we show how two-zero textures in the right-handed neutrino Majorana mass matrix can be enforced by the flavor symmetry, which is spontaneously broken very economically by singlet scalars. These zeros lead to two vanishing minors in the low-energy neutrino mass matrix after the seesaw mechanism. This study may provide a new testing ground for a zero-texture approach: the different classes of two-zero textures with almost identical neutrino oscillation phenomenology can in principle be distinguished by their different Z' interactions at colliders.

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arXiv2012

Neutrino Hierarchies from a Gauge Symmetry

We consider the phenomenology of the gauged abelian symmetry B + 3 (L_e - L_mu - L_tau). Right-handed neutrinos necessary to cancel triangle anomalies are used in a type-I seesaw scheme to create active neutrino masses. Breaking the B + 3 (L_e - L_mu - L_tau) symmetry spontaneously below the seesaw scale generates low energy neutrino mass matrices with the approximate symmetries L_e (leading to normal hierarchy) or L_e - L_mu - L_tau (inverted hierarchy). For the latter we need to introduce a Z_2 symmetry which decouples one of the right-handed neutrinos. If exact, this Z_2 leads to a Majorana dark matter candidate that interacts with the Standard Model via the Z' and a scalar s originating from spontaneous breaking of the new symmetry. The measured relic abundance of the dark matter particle can be obtained around the scalar and Z' resonances, while direct detection experiments are mainly sensitive to scalar exchange, which is induced by mass mixing of s with the standard Higgs.

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arXiv2012

"Hidden" O(2) and SO(2) Symmetry in Lepton Mixing

To generate the minimal neutrino Majorana mass matrix that has a free solar mixing angle and Delta m_sol^2 = 0 it suffices to implement an O(2) symmetry, or one of its subgroups SO(2), Z_N (N>2), or D_N (N>2). This O(2) generalizes the hidden Z_2^s of lepton mixing and leads in addition automatically to mu-tau symmetry. Flavor-democratic perturbations, as expected e.g. from the Planck scale, then result in tri-bimaximal mixing. We present a minimal model with three Higgs doublets implementing a type-I seesaw mechanism with a spontaneous breakdown of the symmetry, leading to large theta_13 and small Delta m_sol^2 = 0 due to the particular decomposition of the perturbations under mu-tau symmetry.

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arXiv2011

Kinetic and mass mixing with three abelian groups

We present the possible mixing effects associated with the low-energy limit of a Standard-Model extension by two abelian gauge groups U(1)_1 x U(1)_2. We derive general formulae and approximate expressions that connect the gauge eigenstates to the mass eigenstates. Applications using the well-studied groups U(1)_B, U(1)_(B-L), U(1)_(L_alpha - L_beta) (L_alpha being lepton flavor numbers), and U(1)_DM (a symmetry acting only on the dark matter sector) are discussed briefly.

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arXiv2011

Gauged L_mu - L_tau Symmetry at the Electroweak Scale

The extension of the Standard Model by a spontaneously broken abelian gauge group based on the L(mu)-L(tau) lepton number can resolve the longstanding discrepancy between experimental and theoretical values for the magnetic moment of the muon. It furthermore naturally generates mu-tau symmetric lepton mixing, introduces neutrino non-standard interactions, and the associated gauge boson Z' serves as a mediator to the right-handed neutrino sector. A detailed fit to electroweak data is performed to identify the allowed values for the mass of Z' and its mixing with the Standard Model Z. An economical new scalar sector is constructed that spontaneously breaks the new symmetry and leads to experimental consequences such as lepton flavor violation and collider signatures. Furthermore we discuss the non-abelian extension to an SU(2)', particularly the neutrino sector.

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arXiv2010

Neutrino Phenomenology of gauged L_mu - L_tau: MINOS and beyond

If a Z' gauge boson from a gauged L_mu - L_tau symmetry is very light, it is associated with a long-range leptonic force. In this case the particles in the Sun create via mixing of the Z' with the Standard Model Z a flavor-dependent potential for muon neutrinos in terrestrial long-baseline experiments. The potential changes sign for anti-neutrinos and hence can lead to apparent differences in neutrino and anti-neutrino oscillations without introducing CP or CPT violation. This could for instance explain the recently found discrepancy in the MINOS experiment. We obtain the associated parameters of gauged L_mu - L_tau required to explain this anomaly. The consequences for future long-baseline experiments are also discussed, and we compare the scenario to standard NSIs. When used to explain MINOS, both approaches have severe difficulties with existing limits.

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arXiv2010

Gauged L_mu - L_tau and different Muon Neutrino and Anti-Neutrino Oscillations: MINOS and beyond

If a Z' gauge boson of a gauged L_mu - L_tau symmetry is very light, it is associated with a long-range leptonic force. In this case the particles in the Sun create via mixing of Z' with the Standard Model Z a flavor-dependent potential for muon neutrinos in terrestrial long-baseline experiments. The potential changes sign for anti-neutrinos and hence can lead to apparent differences in neutrino and anti-neutrino oscillations without introducing CP or CPT violation. This could for instance explain the recently found discrepancy in the survival probabilities of muon neutrinos and anti-neutrinos in the MINOS experiment. We obtain the associated parameters of gauged L_mu - L_tau required to explain this anomaly. The consequences for future long-baseline experiments and for the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon are discussed. The main feature of our explanation is that atmospheric neutrino mixing has to be non-maximal. Neutrino masses tend to be quasi-degenerate.

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