arXiv subjects

Qaisar Shafi

Publications and source records attributed to Qaisar Shafi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Scalar dark matter, Type II Seesaw and the DAMPE cosmic ray $e^+ + e^-$ excess

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) has reported a measurement of the flux of high energy cosmic ray electrons plus positrons (CREs) in the energy range between $25$ GeV and $4.6$ TeV. With unprecedented high energy resolution, the DAMPE data exhibit an excess of the CREs flux at an energy of around $1.4$ TeV. In this letter, we discuss how the observed excess can be understood in a minimal framework where the Standard Model (SM) is supplemented by a stable SM singlet scalar as dark matter (DM) and type II seesaw for generating the neutrino mass matrix. In our framework, a pair of DM particles annihilates into a pair of the SM SU(2) triplet scalars ($Δ$s) in type II seesaw, and the subsequent $Δ$ decays create the primary source of the excessive CREs around $1.4$ TeV. The lepton flavor structure of the primary source of CREs has a direct relationship with the neutrino oscillation data. We find that the DM interpretation of the DAMPE excess determines the pattern of neutrino mass spectrum to be the inverted hierarchy type, taking into account the constraints from the Fermi-LAT observations of dwarf spheroidal galaxies.

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arXiv2018

Vectorlike Particles, $Z'$ and Yukawa Unification in F-theory inspired $E_6$

We explore the low energy implications of an F-theory inspired $E_6$ model whose breaking yields, in addition to the MSSM gauge symmetry, a $Z'$ gauge boson associated with a $U(1)$ symmetry broken at the TeV scale. The zero mode spectrum of the effective low energy theory is derived from the decomposition of the $27$ and $\overline{27}$ representations of $E_6$ and we parametrise their multiplicities in terms of a minimum number of flux parameters. We perform a two-loop renormalisation group analysis of the gauge and Yukawa couplings of the effective theory model and estimate lower bounds on the new vectorlike particles predicted in the model. We compute the third generation Yukawa couplings in an F-theory context assuming an $E_8$ point of enhancement and express our results in terms of the local flux densities associated with the gauge symmetry breaking. We find that their values are compatible with the ones computed by the renormalisation group equations, and we identify points in the parameter space of the flux densities where the $t-b-τ$ Yukawa couplings unify.

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arXiv2017

$μ$-Hybrid Inflation with Low Reheat Temperature and Observable Gravity Waves

In $μ$-hybrid inflation a nonzero inflaton vacuum expectation value induced by supersymmetry breaking is proportional to the gravitino mass $m_{3/2}$, which can be exploited to resolve the minimal supersymmetric standard model $μ$ problem. We show how this scenario can be successfully implemented with $m_{3/2} \sim 1-100$ TeV and reheat temperature as low as $10^6$ GeV by employing a minimal renormalizable superpotential coupled with a well defined non-minimal Kähler potential. The tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$, a canonical measure of primordial gravity waves in most cases is less than or of the order of $10^{-6}-10^{-3}$.

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arXiv2017

Magnetic Monopoles and Free Fractionally Charged States at Accelerators and in Cosmic Rays

Unified theories of strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions which have electric charge quantization predict the existence of topologically stable magnetic monopoles. Intermediate scale monopoles are comparable with detection energies of cosmic ray monopoles at IceCube and other cosmic ray experiments. Magnetic monopoles in some models can be significantly lighter and carry two, three or possibly even higher quanta of the Dirac magnetic charge. They could be light enough for their effects to be detected at the LHC either directly or indirectly. An example based on a D-brane inspired $SU(3)_C\times SU(3)_L\times SU(3)_R$ (trinification) model with the monopole carrying three quanta of Dirac magnetic charge is presented. These theories also predict the existence of color singlet states with fractional electric charge which may be accessible at the LHC.

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arXiv2017

Phenomenology with F-theory SU(5)

We explore the low energy phenomenology of an F-theory based SU(5) model which, in addition to the known quarks and leptons, contains Standard Model singlets, and vector-like color triplets and SU(2) doublets. Depending on their masses and couplings, some of these new particles may be observed at the LHC and future colliders. We discuss the restrictions by CKM constraints on their mixing with the ordinary down quarks of the three chiral familes. The model is consistent with gauge coupling unification at the usual supersymmetric GUT scale, dimension five proton decay is adequately suppressed, while dimension-six decay mediated by the superheavy gauge bosons is enhanced by a factor of 5-7. The third generation charged fermion Yukawa couplings yield the corresponding low-energy masses in reasonable agreement with observations. The hierarchical nature of the masses of lighter generations is accounted for via non-renormalisable interactions, with the perturbative vacuum expectation values of the SM singlet fields playing an essential role.

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arXiv2017

Light Higgsinos, Heavy Gluino and $b-τ$ Quasi-Yukawa Unification: Will the LHC find the Gluino?

A wide variety of unified models predict asymptotic relations at $M_{GUT}$ between the b quark and $τ$ lepton Yukawa couplings. Within the framework of supersymmetric SU(4) $\times$ SU(2)$_L \times$ SU(2)$_R$, we explore regions of the parameter space that are compatible with b-$τ$ quasi-Yukawa unification and the higgsinos being the lightest supersymmetric particles ($\lesssim$ 1 TeV). Among the colored sparticles, the stop weighs more than 1.5 TeV or so, whereas the squarks of the first two families are signifcantly heavier, approaching 10 TeV in some cases. The gluino mass is estimated to lie in the 2-4 TeV range which raises the important question: Will the LHC find the gluino?

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arXiv2016

Diphoton Excess in Consistent Supersymmetric SU(5) Models with Vector-like Particles

We consider the diphoton resonance at the 13 TeV LHC in the context of SU(5) grand unification. A leading candidate to explain this resonance is a standard model singlet scalar decaying to a pair of photon by means of vector-like fermionic loops. We demonstrate the effect of the vector-like multiplets (5, 5 bar) and (10, 10 bar) on the evolution of the gauge couplings and perturbatively evaluate the weak scale values of the new couplings and masses run down from the unification scale. We use these masses and couplings to explain the diphoton resonance after considering the new dijet constraints. We show how to accommodate the larger decay width of the resonance particle, which seems to be preferred by the experimental data. In addition, we consider new couplings relating various components of (5, 5 bar) and (10, 10 bar) in the context of the orbifold GUTs, where the resonance scalar can be a part of the new vector-like lepton doublets. We also calculate the Higgs mass and proton decay rate to positron and neutral pion in the context of SU(5) grand unification, including effects of the new vector-like multiplets.

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arXiv2016

Non-Minimal Quartic Inflation in Supersymmetric SO(10)

We describe how quartic ($λϕ^4$) inflation with non-minimal coupling to gravity is realized in realistic supersymmetric $SO(10)$ models. In a well-motivated example the $16-\overline{16}$ Higgs multiplets, which break $SO(10)$ to $SU(5)$ and yield masses for the right-handed neutrinos, provide the inflaton field $ϕ$. Thus, leptogenesis is a natural outcome in this class of $SO(10)$ models. Moreover, the adjoint (45-plet) Higgs also acquires a GUT scale value during inflation so that the monopole problem is evaded. The scalar spectral index $n_s$ is in good agreement with the observations and $r$, the tensor to scalar ratio, is predicted for realistic values of GUT parameters to be of order $10^{-3}-10^{-2}$.

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arXiv2016

Diphoton Resonance in F-theory inspired Flipped SO(10)

Motivated by the diphoton excess at 750 GeV reported by the ATLAS and CMS experiments, we present an F-theory inspired flipped $SO(10)$ model embedded in an $E_6$ GUT. The low energy spectrum includes the three MSSM chiral families, vectorlike color triplets, several pairs of charged $SU(2)_L$ singlet fields $(E^c, \bar E^c)$, as well as MSSM singlets, one or more of which can contribute to the resonance. Total decay width in the multi-GeV range can arise from couplings involving the singlet and MSSM fields

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arXiv2016

Gauge Mediation Models with Adjoint Messengers

We present a class of models in the framework of gauge mediation supersymmetry breaking where the messenger fields transform in the adjoint representation of the Standard Model gauge symmetry. To avoid unacceptably light right-handed sleptons in the spectrum we introduce a non-zero U(1)_B-L D-term. This leads to an additional contribution to the soft supersymmetry breaking mass terms which makes the right-handed slepton masses compatible with the current experimental bounds. We show that in this framework the observed 125 GeV Higgs boson mass can be accommodated with the sleptons accessible at the LHC, while the squarks and gluinos lie in the multi-TeV range. We also discuss the issue of the fine-tuning and show that the desired relic dark matter abundance can also be accommodated.

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arXiv2016

Masses of Third Family Vector-like Quarks and Leptons in Yukawa-Unified $E_6$

In supersymmetric $E_6$ the masses of the third family quarks and charged lepton, $t-b-τ$, as well as the masses of the vector-like quarks and leptons, $D-\bar{D}$ and $ L-\bar{L}$, may arise from the coupling $27_3$ x $27_3$ x $27_H$, where $27_3$ and $27_H$ denote the third family matter and Higgs multiplets respectively. We assume that the SO(10) singlet component in $27_H$ acquires a TeV scale VEV which spontaneously breaks U(1)$_ψ$ and provides masses to the vector-like particles in $27_3$, while the MSSM doublets in $27_H$ provide masses to $ t, b$ and $τ$. Imposing Yukawa coupling unification $h_t=h_b=h_τ=h_D=h_L$ at $M_{GUT}$ and employing the ATLAS and CMS constraints on the $Z'_ψ$ boson mass, we estimate the lower bounds on the third family vector-like particles $D-\bar{D}$ and $L-\bar{L}$ masses to be around 5.85 TeV and 2.9 TeV respectively. These bounds apply in the supersymmetric limit.

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arXiv2016

Reconciling Muon g-2, 125 GeV Higgs and Dark Matter in Gauge Mediation Models

We present a class of models in the framework of gauge mediation supersymmetry breaking where the standard model is supplemented by additional U(1) symmetry which acts only on the third generation fermions. The messenger fields carry non-trivial U(1) charge and are vector-like particles under this symmetry. This leads to additional contribution to the soft supersymmetry breaking mass terms for the third generation squarks and sleptons. In this framework we show that the muon g-2 anomaly, the observed 125 GeV Higgs boson mass and the detected relic dark matter abundance (gravitino in our case) can be simultaneously accommodated. The resolution of the muon g-2 anomaly, in particular, yields the result that the first two generation squark masses, as well the gluino mass, should be <~ 2.5 TeV, which will be tested at LHC14.

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arXiv2016

Neutralinos and Sleptons at the LHC in Light of Muon $(g-2)_μ$

We study the muon $(g-2)_μ$ anomaly in light of neutralino dark matter and the LHC. We scan the MSSM parameters relevant to $(g-2)_μ$ and focus on three distinct cases with different neutralino compositions. We find that the 2$σ$ range of $(g-2)_μ$ requires the smuon ($\tildeμ_1$) to be lighter than $\sim$ 500 (1000) GeV for $\tan β=10\,(50)$. Correspondingly the two lightest neutralinos, $\tildeχ_{1}^0, \tildeχ_{2}^0$, have to be lighter than $\sim$ 300 (650) GeV and 900 (1000) GeV respectively. We explore the prospects of searching the light smuon and neutralinos at the LHC, in conjunction with constraints arising from indirect dark matter (DM) detection experiments. The upcoming run of the LHC will be able to set $95\%$ CL exclusion limit on $M_{\tildeχ_{2}^0}$ ($\sim 475 - 1300$ GeV) and $m_{\tilde{l}}$ ($\sim 670-775$ GeV) with $M_{\tildeχ_{1}^0} \sim 100-250$ GeV at 3000 fb$^{-1}$ luminosity in multi-lepton + missing energy channel.

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arXiv2015

Primordial monopoles, proton decay, gravity waves and GUT inflation

We consider non-supersymmetric GUT inflation models in which intermediate mass monopoles may survive inflation because of the restricted number of e-foldings experienced by the accompanying symmetry breaking. Thus, an observable flux of primordial magnetic monopoles, comparable to or a few orders below the Parker limit, may be present in the galaxy. The mass scale associated with the intermediate symmetry breaking is $10^{13}$ GeV for an observable flux level, with the corresponding monopoles an order of magnitude or so heavier. Examples based on $SO(10)$ and $E_6$ yield such intermediate mass monopoles carrying respectively two and three units of Dirac magnetic charge. For GUT inflation driven by a gauge singlet scalar field with a Coleman-Weinberg or Higgs potential, compatibility with the Planck measurement of the scalar spectral index yields a Hubble constant (during horizon exit of cosmological scales) $H \sim 7$--$9\times10^{13}$ GeV, with the tensor to scalar ratio $r$ predicted to be $\gtrsim0.02$. Proton lifetime estimates for decays mediated by the superheavy gauge bosons are also provided.

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arXiv2015

$μ$-Term Hybrid Inflation and Split Supersymmetry

We consider $μ$-term hybrid inflation which, in its minimal format with gravity mediated supersymmetry breaking, leads to split supersymmetry. The MSSM $μ$-term in this framework is larger than the gravitino mass $m_G$, and successful inflation requires $m_G$ (and hence also $|μ|$) $\gtrsim 5 \times 10^7$ GeV, such that the gravitino decays before the LSP neutralino freezes out. Assuming universal scalar masses of the same order as $m_G$, this leads to split supersymmetry. The LSP wino with mass $\simeq$ 2 TeV is a plausible dark matter candidate, the gluino may be accessible at the LHC, and the MSSM parameter $\tan β\simeq 1.7$ in order to be compatible with the measured Higgs boson mass. The tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$, a canonical measure of gravity waves, can be as high as $0.001$.

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arXiv2015

The Observational Status of Simple Inflationary Models: an Update

We provide an update on five relatively well motivated inflationary models in which the inflaton is a Standard Model singlet scalar field. These include i) the textbook quadratic and quartic potential models but with additional couplings of the inflaton to fermions and bosons, which enable reheating and also modify the naive predictions for the scalar spectral index $n_s$ and $r$, ii) models with Higgs and Coleman-Weinberg potentials, and finally iii) a quartic potential model with non-minimal coupling of the inflaton to gravity. For $n_s$ values close to 0.96, as determined by the WMAP9 and Planck experiments, most of the considered models predict $r\gtrsim0.02$. The running of the scalar spectral index, quantified by $|\rm{d} n_s/\rm{d}\ln k|$, is predicted in these models to be of order $10^{-4}$--$10^{-3}$.

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arXiv2015

Gravity Waves From Non-Minimal Quadratic Inflation

We discuss non-minimal quadratic inflation in supersymmetric (SUSY) and non-SUSY models which entails a linear coupling of the inflaton to gravity. Imposing a lower bound on the parameter cR, involved in the coupling between the inflaton and the Ricci scalar curvature, inflation can be attained even for subplanckian values of the inflaton while the corresponding effective theory respects the perturbative unitarity up to the Planck scale. Working in the non-SUSY context we also consider radiative corrections to the inflationary potential due to a possible coupling of the inflaton to bosons or fermions. We find ranges of the parameters, depending mildly on the renormalization scale, with adjustable values of the spectral index ns, tensor-to-scalar ratio r=(2-4)x10^-3, and an inflaton mass close to 3x10^13 GeV. In the SUSY framework we employ two gauge singlet chiral superfields, a logarithmic Kahler potential including all the allowed terms up to fourth order in powers of the various fields, and determine uniquely the superpotential by applying a continuous R and a global U(1) symmetry. When the Kahler manifold exhibits a no-scale-type symmetry, the model predicts ns=0.963 and r=0.004. Beyond no-scale SUGRA, ns and r depend crucially on the coefficient involved in the fourth order term, which mixes the inflaton with the accompanying non-inflaton field in the Kahler potential, and the prefactor encountered in it. Increasing slightly the latter above (-3), an efficient enhancement of the resulting r can be achieved putting it in the observable range. The inflaton mass in the last case is confined in the range (5-9)x10^13 GeV.

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arXiv2015

Neutralino Dark Matter and Other LHC Predictions from Quasi Yukawa Unification

We explore the dark matter and LHC implications of t-b-tau quasi Yukawa unification in the framework of supersymmetric models based on the gauge symmetry G=SU(4)_{c}\times SU(2)_{L}\times SU(2)_{R}. The deviation from exact Yukawa unification is quantified by a dimensionless parameter C (|C| <~ 0.2), such that the Yukawa couplings at M_GUT are related by y_t:y_b:y_tau=|1+C| : |1-C| : |1+3C|. In contrast to earlier studies which focused on universal gaugino masses, we consider non-universal gaugino masses at M_GUT that are compatible with the gauge symmetry G. We perform two independent scans of the fundamental parameter space, one of which employs ISAJET, while the other uses SoftSusy interfaced with SuperIso. These scans reveal qualitatively similar allowed regions in the parameter space, and yield a variety of neutralino dark matter scenarios consistent with the observations. These include stau and chargino coannihilation scenarios, the A-resonance scenario, as well as Higgsino dark matter solution which is more readily probed by direct detection searches. The gluino mass is found to be <~ 4.2 TeV, the stop mass is >~ 2 TeV, while the first two family squarks and sleptons are of order 4-5 TeV and 3 TeV respectively.

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