arXiv subjects

Rahul Srivastava

Publications and source records attributed to Rahul Srivastava.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

CP Symmetries as Guiding Posts: revamping tri-bi-maximal Mixing. Part II

In this follow up of arXiv:1812.04663 we analyze the generalized CP symmetries of the charged lepton mass matrix compatible with the complex version of the Tri-Bi-Maximal (TBM) lepton mixing pattern. These symmetries are used to `revamp' the simplest TBM \textit{Ansatz} in a systematic way. Our generalized patterns share some of the attractive features of the original TBM matrix and are consistent with current oscillation experiments. We also discuss their phenomenological implications both for upcoming neutrino oscillation and neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.

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arXiv2019

Spontaneous Breaking of Lepton Number and Cosmological Domain Wall Problem

We show that if global lepton number symmetry is spontaneously broken in a post inflation epoch, then it can lead to the formation of cosmological domain walls. This happens in the well-known "Majoron paradigm" for neutrino mass generation. We propose some realistic examples which allow spontaneous lepton number breaking to be safe from such domain walls.

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arXiv2019

Testing generalized CP symmetries with precision studies at DUNE

We examine the capabilities of the DUNE experiment in probing leptonic CP violation within the framework of theories with generalized CP symmetries characterized by the texture zeros of the corresponding CP transformation matrices. We investigate DUNE's potential to probe the two least known oscillation parameters, the atmospheric mixing angle $θ_{23}$ and the Dirac CP-phase $δ_{\rm CP}$. We fix theory-motivated benchmarks for ($ \sin^2θ_{23}, δ_{\rm CP} $) and take them as true values in our simulations. Assuming 3.5 years of neutrino running plus 3.5 years in the antineutrino mode, we show that in all cases DUNE can significantly constrain and in certain cases rule out the generalized CP texture zero patterns.

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arXiv2019

The role of residual symmetries in dark matter stability and the neutrino nature

We consider the class of models where Dirac neutrino masses at one loop and the dark matter stability can be obtained using only the global $U(1)_{B-L}$ symmetry already present in Standard Model. We discuss how the residual $\mathcal{Z}_n$ subgroup, left unbroken after the breaking of $U(1)_{B-L}$, dictates the neutrino nature, namely if they are Dirac or Majorana particles, as well as determines the stability of the dark matter candidate in such models. In particular, we show that without the correct breaking of $U(1)_{B-L}$ to an appropriate residual $\mathcal{Z}_n$ symmetry, the Dirac nature of neutrinos and/or dark matter stability might be lost. For completeness we also provide some examples where the dark matter stability is accidental or lost completely. Finally, we discuss one example model where the Dirac neutrinos with naturally small one loop masses as well as dark matter stability, are both protected by the same residual $\mathcal{Z}_6$ subgroup, without need for adding any new explicit or accidental symmetries beyond the Standard Model symmetries.

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arXiv2019

Predicting neutrino oscillations with "bi-large" lepton mixing matrices

We propose two schemes for the lepton mixing matrix $U = U_l^\dagger U_ν$, where $U = U_l$ refers to the charged sector, and $U_ν$ denotes the neutrino diagonalization matrix. We assume $U_ν$ to be CP conserving and its three angles to be connected with the Cabibbo angle in a simple manner. CP violation arises solely from the $U_l$, assumed to have the CKM form, $U_l\simeq V_{\rm CKM}$, suggested by unification. Oscillation parameters depend on a single parameter, leading to narrow ranges for the "solar" and "accelerator" angles $θ_{12}$ and $θ_{23}$, as well as for the CP phase, predicted as $δ_{\rm CP}\sim 1.3π$.

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arXiv2019

Spontaneous proton decay and the origin of Peccei-Quinn symmetry

We propose a new interpretation of Peccei-Quinn symmetry within the Standard Model, identifying it with the axial $B + L$ symmetry i.e. $U(1)_{PQ} \equiv U(1)_{γ_5(B+L)}$. This new interpretation retains all the attractive features of Peccei-Quinn solution to strong CP problem but in addition also leads to several other new and interesting consequences. Owing to the identification $U(1)_{PQ} \equiv U(1)_{γ_5(B+L)}$ the axion also behaves like Majoron inducing small seesaw masses for neutrinos after spontaneous symmetry breaking. Another novel feature of this identification is the phenomenon of spontaneous (and also chiral) proton decay with its decay rate associated with the axion decay constant. Low energy processes which can be used to test this interpretation are pointed out.

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arXiv2019

Scotogenic Dark Symmetry as a residual subgroup of Standard Model Symmetries

We show that the scotogenic dark symmetry can be obtained as a residual subgroup of the global $U(1)_{B-L}$ symmetry already present in Standard Model. We propose a general framework where the $U(1)_{B-L}$ symmetry is spontaneously broken to an even $\mathcal{Z}_{2n}$ subgroup, setting the general conditions for neutrinos to be Majorana and the dark matter stability in terms of the residual $\mathcal{Z}_{2n}$. Under this general framework, as examples, we build a class of simple models where, in the scotogenic spirit, the dark matter candidate is the lightest particle running inside the neutrino mass loop. The global $U(1)_{B-L}$ symmetry in our framework being anomaly free can also be gauged in a straightforward manner leading to a richer phenomenology.

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arXiv2018

Simplest Scoto-Seesaw Mechanism

By combining the simplest (3,1) version of the seesaw mechanism containing a single heavy "right-handed" neutrino with the minimal scotogenic approach to dark matter, we propose a theory for neutrino oscillations. The "atmospheric" mass scale arises at tree level from the seesaw, while the "solar" oscillation scale emerges radiatively, through a loop involving the "dark sector" exchange. Such simple setup gives a clear interpretation of the neutrino oscillation lengths, has a viable WIMP dark matter candidate, and implies a lower bound on the neutrinoless double beta decay rate.

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arXiv2018

CP Symmetries as Guiding Posts: Revamping Tri-Bi-Maximal Mixing-I

We analyze the possible generalized CP symmetries admitted by the Tri-Bi-Maximal (TBM) neutrino mixing. Taking advantage of these symmetries we construct in a systematic way other variants of the standard TBM ansatz. Depending on the type and number of generalized CP symmetries imposed, we get new mixing matrices, all of which related to the original TBM matrix. One of such "revamped" TBM variants is the recently discussed mixing matrix of arXiv:1806.03367. We also briefly discuss the phenomenological implications following from these mixing patterns.

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arXiv2018

$U(1)_{B_3-3L_μ}$ gauge symmetry as a simple description of $b\to s$ anomalies

We present a simple $U(1)_{B_3-3L_μ}$ gauge Standard Model extension that can easily account for the anomalies in $R(K)$ and $R(K^*)$ reported by LHCb. The model is economical in its setup and particle content. Among the Standard Model fermions, only the third generation quark family and the second generation leptons transform non-trivially under the new $U(1)_{B_3-3L_μ}$ symmetry. This leads to lepton non-universality and flavor changing neutral currents involving the second and third quark families. We discuss the relevant experimental constraints and some implications.

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arXiv2018

Neutrino Predictions from Generalized CP Symmetries of Charged Leptons

We study the implications of generalized CP transformations acting on the mass matrices of charged leptons in a model-independent way. Generalized $e-μ$, $e-τ$ and $μ-τ$ symmetries are considered in detail. In all cases the physical parameters of the lepton mixing matrix, three mixing angles and three CP phases can be expressed in terms of a restricted set of independent "theory" parameters that characterize a given choice of CP transformation. This leads to implications for neutrino oscillations as well as neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.

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arXiv2018

Realistic Tri-Bi-Maximal neutrino mixing

We propose a generalized version of the Tri-Bi-Maximal (TBM) ansatz for lepton mixing, leading to non-zero reactor angle $θ_{13}$ and CP violation. The latter is characterized by two CP phases. The Dirac phase affecting neutrino oscillations is nearly maximal ($δ_{CP} \sim \pm π/2$), while the Majorana phase implies narrow allowed ranges for the neutrinoless double beta decay amplitude. The solar angle $θ_{12}$ lies nearly at its TBM value, while the atmospheric angle $θ_{23}$ has the TBM value for maximal $δ_{CP}$. Neutrino oscillation predictions can be tested in present and upcoming experiments.

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arXiv2018

Zooming in on neutrino oscillations with DUNE

We examine the capabilities of the DUNE experiment as a probe of the neutrino mixing paradigm. Taking the current status of neutrino oscillations and the design specifications of DUNE, we determine the experiment's potential to probe the structure of neutrino mixing and CP violation. We focus on the poorly determined parameters $θ_{23}$ and $δ_{CP}$ and consider both two and seven years of run. We take various benchmarks as our true values, such as the current preferred values of $θ_{23}$ and $δ_{CP}$, as well as several theory-motivated choices. We determine quantitatively DUNE's potential to perform a precision measurement of $θ_{23}$, as well as to test the CP violation hypothesis in a model-independent way. We find that, after running for seven years, DUNE will make a substantial step in the precise determination of these parameters, bringing to quantitative test the predictions of various theories of neutrino mixing.

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arXiv2018

Seesaw roadmap to neutrino mass and dark matter

We describe the many pathways to generate Majorana and Dirac neutrino mass through generalized dimension-5 operators a la Weinberg. The presence of new scalars beyond the Standard Model Higgs doublet implies new possible field contractions, which are required in the case of Dirac neutrinos. We also notice that, in the Dirac neutrino case, the extra symmetries needed to ensure the Dirac nature of neutrinos can also be made responsible for stability of dark matter.

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arXiv2018

$ΔL = 3$ processes: Proton decay and LHC

We discuss lepton number violation in three units. From an effective field theory point of view, $ΔL=3$ processes can only arise from dimension 9 or higher operators. These operators also violate baryon number, hence many of them will induce proton decay. Given the high dimensionality of these operators, in order to have a proton half-life in the observable range, the new physics associated to $ΔL=3$ processes should be at a scale as low as 1 TeV. This opens up the possibility of searching for such processes not only in proton decay experiments but also at the LHC. In this work we analyze the relevant $d=9,11,13$ operators which violate lepton number in three units. We then construct one simple concrete model with interesting low- and high-energy phenomenology.

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arXiv2018

Seesaw Dirac neutrino mass through dimension-6 operators

In this paper, a followup of arXiv: 1802.05722, we describe the many pathways to generate Dirac neutrino mass through dimension-6 operators. By using only the Standard Model Higgs doublet in the external legs one gets a unique operator $\frac{1}{Λ^2} \, \bar{L}\, \barΦ \, \barΦ \, Φ\, ν_R $. In contrast, the presence of new scalars implies new possible field contractions, which greatly increase the number of possibilities. Here we study in detail the simplest ones, involving $SU(2)_L$ singlets, doublets and triplets. The extra symmetries needed to ensure the Dirac nature of neutrinos can also be responsible for stabilizing dark matter.

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arXiv2017

Testing a lepton quarticity flavor theory of neutrino oscillations with the DUNE experiment

Oscillation studies play a central role in elucidating at least some aspects of the flavor problem. Here we examine the status of the predictions of a lepton quarticity flavor theory of neutrino oscillations against the existing global sample of oscillation data. By performing quantitative simulations we also determine the potential of the upcoming DUNE experiment in narrowing down the currently ill-measured oscillation parameters $θ_{23}$ and $δ_{\text{CP}}$. We present the expected improved sensitivity on these parameters for different assumptions.

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arXiv2017

Can one ever prove that neutrinos are Dirac particles?

According to the "Black Box" theorem the experimental confirmation of neutrinoless double beta decay ($0 ν2 β$) would imply that at least one of the neutrinos is a Majorana particle. However, a null $0 ν2 β$ signal cannot decide the nature of neutrinos, as it can be suppressed even for Majorana neutrinos. In this letter we argue that if the null $0 ν2 β$ decay signal is accompanied by a $0 ν4 β$ quadruple beta decay signal, then at least one neutrino should be a Dirac particle. This argument holds irrespective of the underlying processes leading to such decays.

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