arXiv subjects

Rachel Houtz

Publications and source records attributed to Rachel Houtz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Efficient Hamiltonian Truncation: Fast Matrix Construction and Quantum Krylov Diagonalization

Hamiltonian truncation offers a nonperturbative route to quantum field theory, yet its accuracy is limited by the rapid expansion of the truncated Hilbert space, which drives up computational cost. We tackle this bottleneck with a hybrid strategy that pairs classical and quantum algorithms: 1) we develop an efficient basis-generation scheme built on integer partitions; 2) we speed up the construction of the sparse Hamiltonian matrix using symmetry-aware algorithms; and 3) we explore quantum Krylov diagonalization as a route to the low-lying spectrum. Benchmarking against the free massive scalar and $\phi^4$ theories in two spacetime dimensions, we achieve substantial gains in the computational efficiency of Hamiltonian truncation and chart a path toward future quantum implementations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Mesogenesis through the Ephemeral Dark Decay of Beauty

Mesogenesis provides a path for generating the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, using only the CP violation furnished by the Standard Model in the decay of $B$ mesons. While this is an intriguing possibility, it is largely constrained by the data on $B$ meson branching fractions into baryons and missing energy carried into the dark sector. We point out that it is possible to make this branching fraction dominant only in the early Universe, through an ultralight scalar coupled to the dark sector and the Standard Model leptons. A scenario is examined where the thermal density of muons in the early Universe temporarily lowers the mass of a dark fermion, allowing for efficient $B$ meson decays. This `dark' decay channel is shut off later when the muon number density falls, making the scenario compatible with flavor data. Our model can be consistent with the LHC constraints on color-charged heavy bosons required to implement Mesogenesis; such states may be discovered in the future runs as their masses cannot be far above the current bounds. We also outline other possible signals, which can arise in future displaced vertex searches, long range force searches, and observations of neutron star binary mergers.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Gravitational Waves from Confining Dark Sectors with Self-Consistent Effective Potentials

In this work, we present a self-consistent prediction for the gravitational wave signal arising from confinement-induced phase transitions in hidden non-Abelian SU(N) gauge theories with F light flavors. To do this, we impose perturbativity and unitarity constraints on the thermal effective potential to identify the portion of parameter space that admits a reliable effective field theory description. We also include the Polyakov-loop-improved finite-temperature potential for both N=3 and N=4, where N is the number of dark colors, using an approximate computation of the mediating effects. We compute the resulting gravitational wave spectrum and delineate the regions of parameter space that remain phenomenologically viable after imposing theoretical consistency conditions. We find that these constraints make uncovering a stochastic background gravitational wave signal in this scenario more challenging, even for proposed future detectors.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Hamiltonian Truncation Framework for Gauge Theories on the Interval

In this work, we investigate gauge theories in two dimensions nonperturbatively using the Hamiltonian truncation approach. Working on a spatial interval and adopting the axial gauge, we remove all gauge field degrees of freedom and express the interacting Hamiltonian in the eigenbasis of the free Dirac theory, truncated at a finite energy. As a benchmark we analyse the Schwinger model, where our numerical spectra agree closely with the exact results from bosonization across a wide range of couplings, validating the construction of the Hamiltonian. We then generalize the formulation to nonabelian gauge groups and apply it to SU(3) gauge theory with a single massless Dirac fermion. These results demonstrate that gauge theories can be explored nonperturbatively using a truncated Hamiltonian that generates evolutions in ordinary time, offering a complementary alternative to lattice field theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Systematic Improvement of Hamiltonian Truncation Effective Theory

Hamiltonian Truncation Effective Theory is a framework that aims to improve the results of Hamiltonian truncation in a systematic, order-by-order fashion using Effective Field Theory methodology. The result is a truncated effective Hamiltonian with corrections that result from a matching procedure. We establish the rigor of this method by calculating nontrival next-to-leading order corrections in a $1/E_{\rm max}$ expansion, where $E_{\rm max}$ is our effective theory cutoff. We illustrate this explicitly using 1+1D $\lambda \phi^4$ theory, calculating corrections up to order $1/E_{\rm max}^3$. At this order, novel nonlocal contributions to the matching conditions must be incorporated. We show that by including these nonlocal terms, the error scales as $1/E_{\rm max}^4$, as expected from the Effective Field Theory power counting, providing a nontrivial check that this method is consistent and robust. We also estimate the critical coupling at which this theory flows to the 2D Ising conformal field theory and confirm that separation of scales, an essential feature of Effective Field Theory, persists at this order. These results establish Hamiltonian Truncation Effective Theory as a generic, systematic framework for improving convergence in Hamiltonian truncation and lay the groundwork to apply this method to more complex systems in higher dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

The Standard Model CP Violation is Enough

Is the Standard Model Charge-Parity (CP) violation ever enough to generate the observed baryon asymmetry? Yes! We introduce a mechanism of baryogenesis (and dark matter production) that can generate the entire observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe using $\textit{only}$ the CP violation within Standard Model systems -- a f\^ete which no other mechanism currently proposed can achieve. Baryogenesis proceeds through a Mesogenesis scenario but with well motivated additional dark sector dynamics: a $\textit{morphon}$ field generates present day mass contributions for the particle mediating the decay responsible for baryogenesis. The effect is an enhancement of baryon production whilst evading present day collider constraints. The CP violation comes entirely from Standard Model contributions to neutral meson systems. Meanwhile, the dark dynamics generate gravitational waves that may be searched for with current and upcoming Pulsar Timing Arrays, as we demonstrate with an example. This mechanism, $\textit{Mesogenesis with a Morphing Mediator}$, motivates probing a new parameter space as well as improving the sensitivity of existing Mesogenesis searches at hadron and electron colliders.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Walls, bubbles and doom -- the cosmology of HEFT

As experiment charts new territory at the electroweak scale, the enterprise to characterise all possible theories becomes all the more necessary. In the absence of new particles, this ambitious enterprise is attainable and has led to the Higgs Effective Field Theory (HEFT) as the most general characterising framework, containing the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) as a subspace. The characterisation of this theory space led to the dichotomy SMEFT vs. HEFT\SMEFT as the two possible realisations of symmetry breaking. The criterion to distinguish these two possibilities is non-local in field space, and phenomena which explore field space beyond the neighbourhood of the vacuum manifold are in a singular position to tell them apart. Cosmology allows for such phenomena, and this work focuses on HEFT\SMEFT, the less explored of the two options, to find that first order phase transitions with detectable gravitational wave remnants, domain wall formation and vacuum decay in the far, far distant future can take place and single out HEFT\SMEFT. Results in cosmology are put against LHC constraints, and the potential of future ground- and space-based experiments to cover parameter space is discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Phase Transitions in Particle Physics -- Results and Perspectives from Lattice Quantum Chromo-Dynamics

Phase transitions in a non-perturbative regime can be studied by ab initio Lattice Field Theory methods. The status and future research directions for LFT investigations of Quantum Chromo-Dynamics under extreme conditions are reviewed, including properties of hadrons and of the hypothesized QCD axion as inferred from QCD topology in different phases. We discuss phase transitions in strong interactions in an extended parameter space, and the possibility of model building for Dark Matter and Electro-Weak Symmetry Breaking. Methodological challenges are addressed as well, including new developments in Artificial Intelligence geared towards the identification of different phases and transitions.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2023

On discrete Goldstone bosons

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Discrete Goldstone Bosons

Exact discrete symmetries, if non-linearly realized, can reduce the ultraviolet sensitivity of a given theory. The scalars stemming from spontaneous symmetry breaking are massive without breaking the discrete symmetry, and those masses are protected from divergent quadratic corrections. This is in contrast to non-linearly realized continuous symmetries, for which the masses of pseudo-Goldstone bosons require an explicit breaking mechanism. The symmetry-protected masses and potentials of those discrete Goldstone bosons offer promising physics avenues, both theoretically and in view of the blooming experimental search for ALPs. We develop this theoretical setup using invariant theory and focusing on the maximally natural minima of the potential. For these, we show that typically a subgroup of the ultraviolet discrete symmetry remains explicit in the spectrum, i.e. realized "à la Wigner"; this subgroup can be either abelian or non-abelian. This suggests tell-tale experimental signals for those minima: at least two (three) degenerate scalars produced simultaneously if abelian (non-abelian), while the specific ratios of multi-scalar amplitudes provide a hint of the full ultraviolet discrete symmetry. Examples of exact ultraviolet $A_4$ and $A_5$ symmetries are explored in substantial detail.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Radiative Effects in the Scalar Sector of Vector Leptoquark Models

Gauge models with massive vector leptoquarks at the TeV scale provide a successful framework for addressing the B-physics anomalies. Among them, the 4321 model has been considered as the low-energy limit of some complete theories of flavor. In this work, we study the renormalization group evolution of this model, laying particular emphasis on the scalar sector. We find that, despite the asymptotic freedom of the gauge couplings, Landau poles can arise at relatively low scale due to the fast running of quartic couplings. Moreover, we discuss the possibility of radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, and characterize the fine-tuning associated with the hierarchy between the electroweak scale and the additional TeV-scale scalars. Finally, the idea of scalar fields unification is explored, motivated by ultraviolet embeddings of the 4321 model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Archimedean Lever Leptogenesis

We propose that weak scale leptogenesis via $\sim 10$ TeV scale right-handed neutrinos could be possible if their couplings had transitory larger values in the early Universe. The requisite lifted parameters can be attained if a light scalar $ϕ$ is displaced a long distance from its origin by the thermal population of fermions $X$ that become massive before electroweak symmetry breaking. The fermion $X$ can be a viable dark matter candidate; for suitable choice of parameters, the light scalar itself can be dark matter through a misalignment mechanism. We find that a two-component DM population made up of both $X$ and $ϕ$ is a typical outcome in our framework.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Machine learning a manifold

We propose a simple method to identify a continuous Lie algebra symmetry in a dataset through regression by an artificial neural network. Our proposal takes advantage of the $ \mathcal{O}(ε^2)$ scaling of the output variable under infinitesimal symmetry transformations on the input variables. As symmetry transformations are generated post-training, the methodology does not rely on sampling of the full representation space or binning of the dataset, and the possibility of false identification is minimised. We demonstrate our method in the SU(3)-symmetric (non-) linear $Σ$ model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Hamiltonian Truncation Effective Theory

Hamiltonian truncation is a non-perturbative numerical method for calculating observables of a quantum field theory. The starting point for this method is to truncate the interacting Hamiltonian to a finite-dimensional space of states spanned by the eigenvectors of the free Hamiltonian $H_0$ with eigenvalues below some energy cutoff $E_\text{max}$. In this work, we show how to treat Hamiltonian truncation systematically using effective field theory methodology. We define the finite-dimensional effective Hamiltonian by integrating out the states above $E_\text{max}$. The effective Hamiltonian can be computed by matching a transition amplitude to the full theory, and gives corrections order by order as an expansion in powers of $1/E_\text{max}$. The effective Hamiltonian is non-local, with the non-locality controlled in an expansion in powers of $H_0/E_\text{max}$. The effective Hamiltonian is also non-Hermitian, and we discuss whether this is a necessary feature or an artifact of our definition. We apply our formalism to 2D $λϕ^4$ theory, and compute the the leading $1/E_\text{max}^2$ corrections to the effective Hamiltonian. We show that these corrections non-trivially satisfy the crucial property of separation of scales. Numerical diagonalization of the effective Hamiltonian gives residual errors of order $1/E_\text{max}^3$, as expected by our power counting. We also present the power counting for 3D $λϕ^4$ theory and perform calculations that demonstrate the separation of scales in this theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Light Dark Matter through Resonance Scanning

We propose a new out-of-equilibrium production mechanism of light dark matter: resonance scanning. If the dark matter mass evolved in the early Universe, resonant production may have occurred for a wide range of light dark matter masses today. We show that the dark matter relic abundance may be produced through the Higgs portal, in a manner consistent with current experimental constraints.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Dynamical Axions and Gravitational Waves

In this paper we explore the possibility of observable gravitational waves as a manifestation of the QCD axion dynamics. In particular, we focus on dynamical axion models which solve the strong CP problem, and include the confinement of a QCD-like gauge group at the TeV scale. We study the resulting chiral symmetry breaking phase transition for models with $N_F=3$ and $N_F=4$ light flavors using the linear sigma model. This model describes the scalar meson spectrum and its interactions, with the diagonal field $φ$ as the order parameter. We find that the amplitude of the gravitational wave spectrum depends on the mass of the dynamical axion $η'$ via the ratio $m_{η'}/m_φ$. The resulting spectra may be observed at future mid-range gravitational wave experiments such as AION/MAGIS, DECIGO, and BBO. Moreover, the TeV states can be searched for at colliders and their quantum numbers characterized, providing a unique connection between axion physics, gravitational waves and collider searches.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Phenomenology of Bulk Scalar Singlets in the Randall Sundrum Model

We present a Randall-Sundrum toy model with an added scalar singlet that couples only to KK fermions in the bulk. Such a scalar would nontrivially affect radion phenomenology. In addition, we examine the radion phenomenology in light of the new scalar and show how this scalar could present another probe to search for the radion.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Little Conformal Symmetry

We explore a new class of natural models which ensure the one-loop divergences in the Higgs mass are cancelled. The top-partners that cancel the top loop are new gauge bosons, and the symmetry relation that ensures the cancellation arises at an infrared fixed point. Such a cancellation mechanism can, a la Little Higgs models, push the scale of new physics that completely solves the hierarchy problem up to 5-10 TeV. When embedded in a supersymmetric model, the stop and gaugino masses provide the cutoffs for the loops, and the mechanism ensures a cancellation between the stop and gaugino mass dependence of the Higgs mass parameter.

hep-ph↗