arXiv subjects

Michael Duerr

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Duerr.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Left-Right Symmetric Theory with Light Sterile Neutrinos

A simple theoretical framework for the spontaneous breaking of parity, baryon and lepton numbers is proposed. In this context, the baryon and lepton numbers are independent local gauge symmetries, while parity is defined making use of the left-right symmetry. We show that in the minimal model the new leptoquark fields needed to define an anomaly-free theory also generate neutrino masses through the type III seesaw mechanism. The spectrum of neutrinos and some phenomenological aspects are discussed. This theory predicts the possible existence of two light sterile neutrinos.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Gauge Theory for Baryon and Lepton Numbers with Leptoquarks

Models where the baryon (B) and lepton (L) numbers are local gauge symmetries that are spontaneously broken at a low scale are revisited. We find new extensions of the Standard Model which predict the existence of fermions that carry both baryon and lepton numbers (i.e., leptoquarks). The local baryonic and leptonic symmetries can be broken at a scale close to the electroweak scale and we do not need to postulate the existence of a large desert to satisfy the experimental constraints on baryon number violating processes like proton decay.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Multi-Component Dark Matter Systems and Their Observation Prospects

Conversions and semi-annihilations of dark matter (DM) particles in addition to the standard DM annihilations are considered in a three-component DM system. We find that the relic abundance of DM can be very sensitive to these non-standard DM annihilation processes, which has been recently found for two-component DM systems. To consider a concrete model of a three-component DM system, we extend the radiative seesaw model of Ma by adding a Majorana fermion χand a real scalar boson ϕ, to obtain a Z_2 \times Z'_2 DM stabilizing symmetry, where we assume that the DM particles are the inert Higgs boson, χand ϕ. It is shown how the allowed parameter space, obtained previously in the absence of χand ϕ, changes. The semi-annihilation process in this model produces monochromatic neutrinos. The observation rate of these monochromatic neutrinos from the Sun at IceCube is estimated. Observations of high energy monochromatic neutrinos from the Sun may indicate a multi-component DM system.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay and Neutrino Masses

Neutrinoless double beta decay is a promising test for lepton number violating physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. There is a deep connection between this decay and the phenomenon of neutrino masses. In particular, we will discuss the relation between neutrinoless double beta decay and Majorana neutrino masses provided by the so-called Schechter--Valle theorem in a quantitative way. Furthermore, we will present an experimental cross check to discriminate neutrinoless double beta decay from unknown nuclear background using only one isotope, i.e., within one experiment.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Lepton Number and Lepton Flavor Violation through Color Octet States

We discuss neutrinoless double beta decay and lepton flavor violating decays such as $μ-> eγ$ in the colored seesaw scenario. In this mechanism, neutrino masses are generated at one-loop via the exchange of TeV-scale fermionic and scalar color octets. The same particles mediate lepton number and flavor violating processes. We show that within this framework a dominant color octet contribution to neutrinoless double beta decay is possible without being in conflict with constraints from lepton flavor violating processes. We furthermore compare the "direct" color octet contribution to neutrinoless double beta decay with the "indirect" contribution, namely the usual standard light Majorana neutrino exchange. For degenerate color octet fermionic states both contributions are proportional to the usual effective mass, while for non-degenerate octet fermions this feature is not present. Depending on the model parameters, either of the contributions can be dominant.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Consistency test of neutrinoless double beta decay with one isotope

We discuss a consistency test which makes it possible to discriminate unknown nuclear background lines from neutrinoless double beta decay with only one isotope. By considering both the transition to the ground state and to the first excited $0^+$ state, a sufficiently large detector can reveal if neutrinoless double beta decay or some other nuclear physics process is at work. Such a detector could therefore simultaneously provide a consistency test for a certain range of Majorana masses and be sensitive to lower values of the effective Majorana mass.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Neutrino Mass and $μ\rightarrow e + γ$ from a Mini-Seesaw

The recently proposed "mini-seesaw mechanism" combines naturally suppressed Dirac and Majorana masses to achieve light Standard Model neutrinos via a low-scale seesaw. A key feature of this approach is the presence of multiple light (order GeV) sterile-neutrinos that mix with the Standard Model. In this work we study the bounds on these light sterile-neutrinos from processes like μ---> e + γ, invisible Z-decays, and neutrinoless double beta-decay. We show that viable parameter space exists and that, interestingly, key observables can lie just below current experimental sensitivities. In particular, a motivated region of parameter space predicts a value of BR(μ---> e + γ) within the range to be probed by MEG.

hep-ph↗