arXiv subjects

Raymond R. Volkas

Publications and source records attributed to Raymond R. Volkas.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Solutions for Intersecting Domain Walls with Internal Structure in Six Dimensions from a Z_2 x Z_2-invariant Action

We present a generic Z_2 x Z_2-invariant scalar field theory with four real scalar fields in six-dimensional Minkowskian spacetime which yields solutions consisting of two intersecting domain-wall kinks which are each paired by fields with lump-like profiles. For a special parameter choice, analytic solutions can be obtained. We show that the Z_2 x Z_2 symmetry can be maintained while coupling fermions by introducing scalar Yukawa couplings to one kink-lump pair and six-dimensional pseudoscalar Yukawa couplings to the other, and we show that there exists a zero mode localized to the domain-wall junction in this case. We also show that scalar fields can be localized.

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arXiv2013

Symmetry breaking, subgroup embeddings and the Weyl group

We present a systematic approach to finding Higgs vacuum expectation values, which break a symmetry G to differently embedded isomorphic copies of a subgroup $H \subset G$ . We give an explicit formula for recovering each point in the vacuum manifold of a Higgs field which breaks G -> H. In particular we systematically identify the vacuum manifold G/H with linear combinations of the vacuum expectation values breaking G -> H_1 -> ... -> H_l. We focus on the most applicable case for current work on grand unified theories in extra dimensional models and low-energy effective theories for quantum chromodynamics. Here the subgroup, H, stabilizes the highest weight of the fundamental representation leading to a simple expression for each element of the vacuum manifold; especially for an adjoint Higgs field. These results are illustrated explicitly for adjoint Higgs fields and clearly linked to the mathematical formalism of Weyl groups. We use the final section to explicitly demonstrate how our work contributes to two contemporary high-energy physics research areas.

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arXiv2013

Unified origin for visible and dark matter in a baryon-symmetric universe from a first-order phase transition

In a baryon-symmetric universe, the baryon asymmetry observed for visible matter is matched by an equal and opposite asymmetry for dark matter, thereby closely connecting the number densities of both types of matter. This is a necessary step towards the goal of explaining the mystery of why the visible and dark matter densities are observed to be similar. In this talk, a way of producing such a universe from bubble nucleation during a first-order phase transition is reviewed. The process is an analog of electroweak baryogenesis.

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arXiv2013

Origin of neutrino masses at the LHC: Delta L = 2 effective operators and their ultraviolet completions

Neutrino masses and mixings can be generated in many different ways, with some of these scenarios featuring new physics at energy scales relevant for Large Hadron Collider searches. A systematic approach to constructing a large class of models for Majorana neutrinos may be founded upon a list of gauge-invariant effective operators -- formed from quarks, leptons and the Higgs doublet -- that violate lepton-number conservation by two units. By opening up these operators in all possible ways consistent with some minimality assumptions, a complete catalogue of a class of minimal radiative neutrino mass models may be produced. In this paper we present an analysis of Feynman diagram topologies relevant for the ultra-violet completions of these effective operators and collect these into a simple recipe that can be used to generate radiative neutrino mass models. Since high mass-dimension effective operators are suppressed by powers of the scale of new physics, many of the resulting models can be meaningfully tested at the Large Hadron Collider.

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arXiv2012

Large lepton mixing angles from a 4+1-dimensional SU(5) x A(4) domain-wall braneworld model

We propose an extension of the 4+1D SU(5) domain-wall braneworld of Davies, George and Volkas which includes the addition of a discrete A(4) flavor symmetry. We show that lepton mixing and light Majorana neutrino masses can be generated from the additional A(4) physics while at the same time sufficient parameter freedom can be maintained in the charged fermion sector to produce charged fermion masses and quark mixing naturally from the split fermion mechanism. Importantly, we show that the vacuum realignment problem typical of discrete flavor symmetry models of quark and lepton mixing can be solved by separating the appropriate flavons in the extra dimension, leading to exponentially sensitive suppression of the operators responsible for vacuum realignment.

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arXiv2012

Affleck-Dine dynamics and the dark sector of pangenesis

Pangenesis is the mechanism for jointly producing the visible and dark matter asymmetries via Affleck-Dine dynamics in a baryon-symmetric universe. The baryon-symmetric feature means that the dark asymmetry cancels the visible baryon asymmetry and thus enforces a tight relationship between the visible and dark matter number densities. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the general dynamics of this scenario in more detail and to construct specific models. After reviewing the simple symmetry structure that underpins all baryon-symmetric models, we turn to a detailed analysis of the required Affleck-Dine dynamics. Both gravity-mediated and gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking are considered, with the messenger scale left arbitrary in the latter, and the viable regions of parameter space are determined. In the gauge-mediated case where gravitinos are light and stable, the regime where they constitute a small fraction of the dark matter density is identified. We discuss the formation of Q-balls, and delineate various regimes in the parameter space of the Affleck-Dine potential with respect to their stability or lifetime and their decay modes. We outline the regions in which Q-ball formation and decay is consistent with successful pangenesis. Examples of viable dark sectors are presented, and constraints are derived from big bang nucleosynthesis, large scale structure formation and the Bullet cluster. Collider signatures and implications for direct dark matter detection experiments are briefly discussed. The following would constitute evidence for pangenesis: supersymmetry, GeV-scale dark matter mass(es) and a Z' boson with a significant invisible width into the dark sector.

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arXiv2012

Baryon Number Violating Scalar Diquarks at the LHC

Baryon number violating (BNV) processes are heavily constrained by experiments searching for nucleon decay and neutron-antineutron oscillations. If the baryon number violation occurs via the third generation quarks, however, we may be able to avoid the nucleon stability constraints, thus making such BNV interactions accessible at the LHC. In this paper we study a specific class of BNV extensions of the standard model (SM) involving diquark and leptoquark scalars. After an introduction to these models we study one promising extension in detail, being interested in particles with mass of O(TeV). We calculate limits on the masses and couplings from neutron-antineutron oscillations and dineutron decay for couplings to first and third generation quarks. We explore the possible consequences of such a model on the matter-antimatter asymmetry. We shall see that for models which break the global baryon minus lepton number symmetry, (B-L), the most stringent constraints come from the need to preserve a matter-antimatter asymmetry. That is, the BNV interaction cannot be introduced if it would remove the matter-antimatter asymmetry independent of baryogenesis mechanism and temperature. Finally, we examine the phenomenology of such models at colliders such as the LHC.

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arXiv2012

Pangenesis: a common origin for visible and dark matter

The similar mass densities observed for visible and dark matter in the present-day universe suggest a common origin for both. A scheme called "pangenesis" for realising this using the Affleck-Dine mechanism in a baryon-symmetric universe is presented in this talk.

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arXiv2012

Visible and dark matter from a first-order phase transition in a baryon-symmetric universe

The similar cosmological abundances observed for visible and dark matter suggest a common origin for both. By viewing the dark matter density as a dark-sector asymmetry, mirroring the situation in the visible sector, we show that the visible and dark matter asymmetries may have arisen simultaneously through a first-order phase transition in the early universe. The dark asymmetry can then be equal and opposite to the usual visible matter asymmetry, leading to a universe that is symmetric with respect to a generalised baryon number. We present both a general structure, and a precisely defined example of a viable model of this type. In that example, the dark matter is atomic as well as asymmetric, and various cosmological and astrophysical constraints are derived. Testable consequences for colliders include a Z' boson that couples through the B-L charge to the visible sector, but also decays invisibly to dark sector particles. The additional scalar particles in the theory can mix with the standard Higgs boson and provide other striking signatures.

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arXiv2012

Quark-lepton symmetric model at the LHC

We investigate the quark-lepton symmetric model of Foot and Lew in the context of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In this `bottom-up' extension to the Standard Model, quark-lepton symmetry is achieved by introducing a gauged `leptonic colour' symmetry which is spontaneously broken above the electroweak scale. If this breaking occurs at the TeV scale, then we expect new physics to be discovered at the LHC. We examine three areas of interest: the Z$'$ heavy neutral gauge boson, charge $\pm1/2$ exotic leptons, and a colour triplet scalar diquark. We find that the LHC has already explored and/or will explore new parameter space for these particles over the course of its lifetime.

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arXiv2012

Stochastic superspace phenomenology at the Large Hadron Collider

We analyse restrictions on the stochastic superspace parameter space arising from 1 fb$^{-1}$ of LHC data, and bounds on sparticle masses, cold dark matter relic density and the branching ratio of the process $B_s \rightarrow μ^+ μ^-$. A region of parameter space consistent with these limits is found where the stochasticity parameter, ξ, takes values in the range -2200 GeV < ξ< -900 GeV, provided the cutoff scale is $\mathcal{O}(10^{18})$ GeV.

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arXiv2011

Pangenesis in a Baryon-Symmetric Universe: Dark and Visible Matter via the Affleck-Dine Mechanism

The similarity of the visible and dark matter abundances indicates that they may originate via the same mechanism. If both the dark and the visible matter are charged under a generalized baryon number which remains always conserved, then the asymmetry of the visible sector may be compensated by an asymmetry in the dark sector. We show how the separation of baryonic and antibaryonic charge can originate in the vacuum, via the Affleck-Dine mechanism, due to the breaking of a symmetry orthogonal to the baryon number. Symmetry restoration in the current epoch guarantees the individual stability of the two sectors.

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arXiv2011

Lifshitz theories with extra dimensions and 3+1-d Lorentz invariance

We construct Lifshitz scalar field theories in 4+1 dimensions which retain 3+1-d Lorentz invariance and therefore ensure a unique limiting speed in the 3+1-d world. Such a construction is potentially useful in developing field-theoretic ultraviolet completions of extra-dimensional field theories. The extra dimension y is treated asymmetrically from the usual three spatial dimensions by introducing derivatives of order 2n with respect to y in the action. We show that lambda phi^4 theory becomes progressively less non-renormalisable by power counting as n is increased. This suggests that the non-local theory obtained in the infinite-n limit may be complete in the ultraviolet.

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arXiv2011

ATLAS and CMS hints for a mirror Higgs boson

ATLAS and CMS have provided hints for the existence of a Higgs-like particle with mass of about 144 GeV with production cross section into standard decay channels which is about 50% that of the standard model Higgs boson. We show that this 50% suppression is exactly what the mirror matter model predicts when the two scalar mass eigenstates, each required to be maximal admixtures of a standard and mirror-Higgs boson, are separated in mass by more than their decay widths but less than the experimental resolution. We discuss prospects for the future confirmation of this interesting hint for non-standard Higgs physics.

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arXiv2011

Cosmological constant in scale-invariant theories

The incorporation of a small cosmological constant within radiatively-broken scale-invariant models is discussed. We show that phenomenologically consistent scale-invariant models can be constructed which allow a small positive cosmological constant, providing certain relation between the particle masses is satisfied. As a result, the mass of the dilaton is generated at two-loop level. Another interesting consequence is that the electroweak symmetry-breaking vacuum in such models is necessarily a metastable `false' vacuum which, fortunately, is not expected to decay on cosmological time scales.

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arXiv2011

Dynamics of the infinitely-thin kink

We consider the dynamics of the domain-wall kink soliton, in particular we study the zero mode of translation. In the infinitely-thin kink limit, we show that the zero mode is almost completely frozen out, the only remnant being a dynamically constrained four-dimensional mode of a single but arbitrary frequency. In relation to this result, we show that the usual mode expansion for dealing with zero modes -- implicit collective coordinates -- is not in fact a completely general expansion, and that one must use instead a traditional generalised Fourier analysis.

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arXiv2011

A Model For Late Dark Matter Decay

The standard cold dark matter cosmological model, while successful in explaining the observed large scale structure of the Universe, tends to overpredict structure on small scales. It has been proposed this problem may be alleviated in a class of late-decaying dark matter models, in which the parent dark matter particle decays to an almost degenerate daughter, plus a relativistic final state. We construct explicit particle physics models that realize this goal while obeying observational constraints. To achieve this, we introduce a pair of fermionic dark matter candidates and a new scalar field, which obey either a Z4 or a U(1) symmetry. Through the spontaneous breaking of these symmetries, and coupling of the new fields to standard model particles, we demonstrate that the desired decay process may be obtained. We also discuss the dark matter production processes in these models.

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arXiv2010

BPS solitons in Lifshitz field theories

Lorentz-invariant scalar field theories in d+1 dimensions with second-order derivative terms are unable to support static soliton solutions that are both finite in energy and stable for d>2, a result known as Derrick's theorem. Lifshitz theories, which introduce higher-order spatial derivatives, need not obey Derrick's theorem. We construct stable, finite-energy, static soliton solutions in Lifshitz scalar field theories in 3+1 dimensions with dynamical critical exponent z=2. We exhibit three generic types: non-topological point defects, topological point defects, and topological strings. We focus mainly on Lifshitz theories that are defined through a superpotential and admit BPS solutions. These kinds of theories are the bosonic sectors of supersymmetric theories derived from the stochastic dynamics of a scalar field theory in one higher dimension. If nature obeys a Lifshitz field theory in the ultraviolet, then the novel topological defects discussed here may exist as relics from the early universe. Their discovery would prove that standard field theory breaks down at short distance scales.

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