arXiv subjects

Lawrence J. Hall

Publications and source records attributed to Lawrence J. Hall.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Gauge Coupling Unification from Unified Theories in Higher Dimensions

Higher dimensional grand unified theories, with gauge symmetry breaking by orbifold compactification, possess SU(5) breaking at fixed points, and do not automatically lead to tree-level gauge coupling unification. A new framework is introduced that guarantees precise unification -- even the leading loop threshold corrections are predicted, although they are model dependent. Precise agreement with the experimental result, α_s^{exp} = 0.117 \pm 0.002, occurs only for a unique theory, and gives α_s^{KK} = 0.118 \pm 0.004 \pm 0.003. Remarkably, this unique theory is also the simplest, with SU(5) gauge interactions and two Higgs hypermultiplets propagating in a single extra dimension. This result is more successful and precise than that obtained from conventional supersymmetric grand unification, α_s^{SGUT} = 0.130 \pm 0.004 \pm Δ_{SGUT}. There is a simultaneous solution to the three outstanding problems of 4D supersymmetric grand unified theories: a large mass splitting between Higgs doublets and their color triplet partners is forced, proton decay via dimension five operators is automatically forbidden, and the absence of fermion mass relations amongst light quarks and leptons is guaranteed, while preserving the successful m_b/m_τrelation. The theory necessarily has a strongly coupled top quark located on a fixed point and part of the lightest generation propagating in the bulk. The string and compactification scales are determined to be around 10^{17} GeV and 10^{15} GeV, respectively.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

Models of Scherk-Schwarz Symmetry Breaking in 5D: Classification and Calculability

The form of the most general orbifold breaking of gauge, global and supersymmetries with a single extra dimension is given. In certain theories the Higgs boson mass is ultraviolet finite due to an unbroken local supersymmetry, which is explicitly exhibited. We construct: a 1 parameter SU(3) \times SU(2) \times U(1) theory with 1 bulk Higgs hypermultiplet, a 2 parameter SU(3) \times SU(2) \times U(1) theory with 2 bulk Higgs hypermultiplets, and a 2 parameter SU(5) \to SU(3) \times SU(2) \times U(1) theory with 2 bulk Higgs hypermultiplets, and demonstrate that these theories are unique. We compute the Higgs mass and compactification scale in the SU(3) \times SU(2) \times U(1) theory with 1 bulk Higgs hypermultiplet.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

A Constrained Standard Model: Effects of Fayet-Iliopoulos Terms

In hep-ph/0011311 the one Higgs doublet standard model was obtained by an orbifold projection of a 5D supersymmetric theory in an essentially unique way, resulting in a prediction for the Higgs mass m_H = 127 \pm 8 GeV and for the compactification scale 1/R = 370 \pm 70 GeV. The dominant one loop contribution to the Higgs potential was found to be finite, while the above uncertainties arose from quadratically divergent brane Z factors and from other higher loop contributions. In hep-th/0108184, a quadratically divergent Fayet-Iliopoulos term was found at one loop in this theory. We show that the resulting uncertainties in the predictions for the Higgs boson mass and the compactification scale are small, about 25% of the uncertainties quoted above, and hence do not affect the original predictions. However, a tree level brane Fayet-Iliopoulos term could, if large enough, modify these predictions, especially for 1/R.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

A Constrained Standard Model from a Compact Extra Dimension

A SU(3) \times SU(2) \times U(1) supersymmetric theory is constructed with a TeV sized extra dimension compactified on the orbifold S^1/(Z_2 \times Z_2'). The compactification breaks supersymmetry leaving a set of zero modes which correspond precisely to the states of the 1 Higgs doublet standard model. Supersymmetric Yukawa interactions are localized at orbifold fixed points. The top quark hypermultiplet radiatively triggers electroweak symmetry breaking, yielding a Higgs potential which is finite and exponentially insensitive to physics above the compactification scale. This potential depends on only a single free parameter, the compactification scale, yielding a Higgs mass prediction of 127 \pm 8 GeV. The masses of the all superpartners, and the Kaluza-Klein excitations are also predicted. The lightest supersymmetric particle is a top squark of mass 197 \pm 20 GeV. The top Kaluza-Klein tower leads to the ρparameter having quadratic sensitivity to unknown physics in the ultraviolet.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

Self-Breaking of the Standard Model Gauge Symmetry

If the gauge fields of the Standard Model propagate in TeV-size extra dimensions, they rapidly become strongly coupled and can form scalar bound states of quarks and leptons. If the quarks and leptons of the third generation propagate in 6 or 8 dimensions, we argue that the most tightly bound scalar is a composite of top quarks, having the quantum numbers of the Higgs doublet and a large coupling to the top quark. In the case where the gauge bosons propagate in a bulk of a certain volume, this composite Higgs doublet can successfully trigger electroweak symmetry breaking. The mass of the top quark is correctly predicted to within 20%, without the need to add a fundamental Yukawa interaction, and the Higgs boson mass is predicted to lie in the range 165 - 230 GeV. In addition to the Higgs boson, there may be a few other scalar composites sufficiently light to be observed at upcoming collider experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

A New Perspective on Cosmic Coincidence Problems

Cosmological data suggest that we live in an interesting period in the history of the universe when ρ_Λ\sim ρ_M \sim ρ_R. The occurence of any epoch with such a "triple coincidence" is puzzling, while the question of why we happen to live during this special epoch is the "Why now?" problem. We introduce a framework which makes the triple coincidence inevitable; furthermore, the ``Why now?'' problem is transformed and greatly ameliorated. The framework assumes that the only relevant mass scales are the electroweak scale, M_{EW}, and the Planck scale, M_{Pl}, and requires ρ_Λ^{1/4} \sim M_{EW}^2/M_{Pl} parametrically. Assuming that the true vacuum energy vanishes, we present a simple model where a false vacuum energy yields a cosmological constant of this form.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Cosmological Constraints on Theories with Large Extra Dimensions

In theories with large extra dimensions, constraints from cosmology lead to non-trivial lower bounds on the fundamental scale M_F, corresponding to upper bounds on the radii of the compact extra dimensions. These constraints are especially relevant to the case of two extra dimensions, since only if M_F is 10 TeV or less do deviations from the standard gravitational force law become evident at distances accessible to planned sub-mm gravity experiments. By examining the graviton decay contribution to the cosmic diffuse gamma radiation, we derive, for the case of two extra dimensions, a conservative bound M_F > 110 TeV, corresponding to r_2 < 5.1 times 10^-5 mm, well beyond the reach of these experiments. We also consider the constraint coming from graviton overclosure of the universe and derive an independent bound M_F > 6.5 h^(-1/2) TeV, or r_2 < .015 h mm.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1999

Precise tests of a quark mass texture

The relations $|V_{ub}/V_{cb}|=(m_u/m_c)^{1/2}$ and $|V_{td}/V_{ts}|=(m_d/m_s)^{1/2}$ between the CKM matrix elements and the quark masses are shown to imply a remarkably precise determination of the CKM unitarity triangle or of the Wolfenstein parameters $ρ$, $η$ consistent with the data so far. We view this as a clean test of a quark mass texture neatly arising from a hierarchical breaking of a U(2) flavour symmetry.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1999

Nearly Degenerate Neutrinos and Broken Flavour Symmetry

Theories with non-Abelian flavour symmetries lead at zeroth order to neutrino degeneracy and massless charged fermions. The flavour symmetry is spontaneously broken sequentially to give hierarchies $Δm_{atm}^2 \gg Δm_{\odot}^2$ and $m_τ\gg m_μ\gg m_e$, and a misalignment of the vacuum between neutrino and charged sectors gives large $θ_{atm}$. Explicit models are given which determine $θ_{atm} = 45^\circ$. A similar construction gives vacuum misalignment for the lighter generations and gives a vanishing $ββ_{0 ν}$ rate, so that there is no laboratory constraint on the amount of neutrino hot dark matter in the universe, and the solar mixing angle is also maximal, $θ_\odot = 45^\circ$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

Leading Order Textures for Lepton Mass Matrices

In theories with three light neutrinos, certain simplicity assumptions allow the construction of a complete list of leading order lepton mass matrices. These matrices are consistent with m_{tau} \neq 0, Delta m^2_{12} \ll Delta m^2_{23}, theta_{23} approx 1, and theta_{13} = 0, as suggested by measurements of atmospheric and solar neutrino fluxes. The list contains twelve generic cases: two have three degenerate neutrinos, eight have two neutrinos forming a Dirac state, and in only two cases is one neutrino much heavier than the other two. For each of these twelve generic cases the possible forms for the perturbations which yield m_{mu} are given. Ten special textures are also found.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

Fermion masses and symmetry breaking of a U(2) flavour symmetry

We show how a specific sequential breaking pattern of a U(2) flavour symmetry occurs automatically in a broad framework. The relative orientation in U(2) space of the spurion fields that breaks the U(2) symmetry is uniquely fixed, thus determining the form of the fermion mass matrices in a predictive way.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

U(2) and Maximal Mixing of nu_{mu}

A U(2) flavor symmetry can successfully describe the charged fermion masses and mixings, and supress SUSY FCNC processes, making it a viable candidate for a theory of flavor. We show that a direct application of this U(2) flavor symmetry automatically predicts a mixing of 45 degrees for nu_mu to nu_s, where nu_s is a light, right-handed state. The introduction of an additional flavor symmetry acting on the right-handed neutrinos makes the model phenomenologically viable, explaining the solar neutrino deficit as well as the atmospheric neutrino anomaly, while giving a potential hot dark matter candidate and retaining the theory's predictivity in the quark sector.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

Tau Appearance In Atmospheric Neutrino Interactions

If the correct interpretation of the Super-Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino data is ν_μ-> ν_τoscillation, the contained data sample should already have more than 10 tau appearance events. We study the challenging task of detecting the tau, focussing on the decay chain τ^\pm -> ρ^\pm -> π^\pm π^0 in events with quasi-elastic tau production. The background level, which is currently quite uncertain because of a lack of relevant neutral current data, can be measured by the near detector in the K2K experiment. Our estimates of the background suggest that it may be possible to detect tau appearance in Super-Kamiokande with 5-10 years of running.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

Textures for Atmospheric and Solar Neutrino Oscillations

In theories with three light neutrinos, a complete list of five zeroth-order textures for lepton mass matrices is found, which naturally yield: m_e = m_mu=0, m_tau \neq 0, Delta m^2_sun = 0, together with theta_{e tau} = 0, theta_{mu tau} approx 1. These textures provide suitable starting points for constructing theories which account for both atmospheric and solar neutrino fluxes. Using flavor symmetries, two schemes for such lepton masses are found, and example constructions exhibited.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

Study of Inclusive Multi-Ring Events from Atmospheric Neutrinos

The current analysis of atmospheric neutrinos by the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration is based only on fully-contained one-ring events and partially contained events. We show that the up-down ratio of fully-contained, inclusive, multi-ring events gives an independent test of the atmospheric neutrino anomaly, without the need for particle identification. Moreover, this class of events is rich in neutral current events and hence gives crucial information for discriminating between oscillations of ν_μinto ν_{e, τ} and ν_s.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

Sneutrino Cold Dark Matter With Lepton-Number Violation

The tau sneutrino is proposed as a candidate for galactic halo dark matter, and as the cold dark matter (CDM) component of the universe. A lepton-number-violating sneutrino mass, \tildeν\tildeν, splits the tau sneutrino into two mass eigenstates: \tildeν \rightarrow \tildeν_\pm. The absence of a Z \tildeν_- \tildeν_- coupling implies that the lighter mass eignestate, \tildeν_-, does not annihilate via the s-channel Z-exchange to a low cosmological abundance, and furthermore, halo sneutrinos do not scatter excessively in Ge detectors. For the majority of the relevant parameter space, the event rate in Ge detectors is \geq 10^{-2} events/kg/day. The lepton number violation required for sneutrino CDM implies that the tau neutrino mass is m_{ν_τ} \gtrsim 5 MeV, large enough to be excluded by B factory experiments. Events of the form l^+ l^- \not E or jj \not E , with low m_{ll} or m_{jj}, may be observed at LEP2. A seesaw mechanism is investigated as the origin for the lepton number violation, and several other cosmological and particle physics consequences of sneutrino CDM are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

New Mechanism of Flavor Symmetry Breaking from Supersymmetric Strong Dynamics

We present a class of supersymmetric models in which flavor symmetries are broken dynamically, by a set of composite flavon fields. The strong dynamics that is responsible for confinement in the flavor sector also drives flavor symmetry breaking vacuum expectation values, as a consequence of a quantum-deformed moduli space. Yukawa couplings result as a power series in the ratio of the confinement to Planck scale, and the fermion mass hierarchy depends on the differing number of preons in different flavor symmetry-breaking operators. We present viable non-Abelian and Abelian flavor models that incorporate this mechanism.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

CP Violation from Slepton Oscillations at the LHC and NLC

In supersymmetric theories the charged sleptons of different generations may oscillate amongst themselves while they decay. In the case of three generation oscillations, superpartner production at the LHC and NLC may lead to an observable $CP$-violating signal $N(e^+μ^-) - N(μ^+e^-)$. This signal is proportional to a $CP$-violating invariant of the slepton mass matrix, $\widetilde{J}$, which is not constrained by searches for the electric dipole moment of the electron. The sensitivity of the LHC and NLC to this signal is highly dependent on superpartner masses, but $\widetilde{J}$ may be probed to a level of $10^{-3}$. Observation of the $CP$-violating signal would imply a definite structure for the slepton mass matrices and have strong implications for models of flavor and SUSY breaking.

hep-ph↗