arXiv subjects

Raymond R. Volkas

Publications and source records attributed to Raymond R. Volkas.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Leptogenesis implications in models with Abelian family symmetry and one extra real Higgs singlet

We show that the neutrino models, as suggested by Low, which have an additional Abelian family symmetry and a real Higgs singlet to the default see-saw do not hinder the possibility of successful thermal leptogenesis. For these models (neglecting radiative effects), we have investigated the situation of strong washout in both the one-flavor approximation and when flavor effects are included. The result is that while such models predict that theta_{13}=0 and that one light neutrino to be massless, they do not modify or provide significant constraints on the typical leptogenesis scenario where the final asymmetry is dominated by the decays of the lightest right-handed neutrinos.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

The brane as a Higgs domain wall: ideas and issues

The most obvious field-theoretic model for a brane is a scalar field domain wall or kink. I discuss how this idea can be connected with spontaneous internal symmetry breaking via a mechanism called the ``clash of symmetries''. Compatibility with Randall and Sundrum's warped metric alternative to compactification is then demonstrated. I end with brief remarks about open questions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Neutrino masses in quartification schemes

The idea of quark-lepton universality at high energies has recently been explored in unified theories based upon the quartification gauge group SU(3)^4. These schemes encompass a quark-lepton exchange symmetry that results upon the introduction of leptonic colour. It has been demonstrated that in models in which the quartification gauge symmetry is broken down to the standard model gauge group, gauge coupling constant unification can be achieved, and there is no unique scenario. The same is also true when the leptonic colour gauge group is only partially broken, leaving a remnant SU(2)_\ell symmetry at the standard model level. Here we perform an analysis of the neutrino mass spectrum of such models. We show that these models do not naturally generate small Majorana neutrino masses, thus correcting an error in our earlier quartification paper, but with the addition of one singlet neutral fermion per family there is a realisation of see-saw suppressed masses for the neutrinos. We also show that these schemes are consistent with proton decay.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

A_4 flavour symmetry breaking scheme for understanding quark and neutrino mixing angles

We propose a spontaneous A_4 flavour symmetry breaking scheme to understand the observed pattern of quark and neutrino mixing. The fermion mass eigenvalues are arbitrary, but the mixing angles are constrained in such a way that the overall patterns are explained while also leaving sufficient freedom to fit the detailed features of the observed values, including CP violating phases. The scheme realises the proposal of Low and Volkas to generate zero quark mixing and tribimaximal neutrino mixing at tree-level, with deviations from both arising from small corrections after spontaneous A_4 breaking. In the neutrino sector, the breaking is A_4 --> Z_2, while in the quark and charged-lepton sectors it is A_4 --> Z_3 = C_3. The full theory has A_4 completely broken, but the two different unbroken subgroups in the two sectors force the dominant mixing patterns to be as stated above. Radiative effects within each sector are shown to deviate neutrino mixing from tribimaximal, while maintaining zero quark mixing. Interactions between the two sectors -- "cross-talk" -- induce nonzero quark mixing, and additional deviation from tribimaximal neutrino mixing. We discuss the vacuum alignment challenge the scenario faces, and suggest three generic ways to approach the problem. We follow up one of those ways by sketching how an explicit model realising the symmetry breaking structure may be constructed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Stability of domain walls coupled to Abelian gauge fields

Rozowsky, Volkas and Wali recently found interesting numerical solutions to the field equations for a gauged U1xU1 scalar field model. Their solutions describe a reflection-symmetric domain wall with scalar fields and coupled gauge configurations that interpolate between constant magnetic fields on one side of the wall and exponentially decaying ones on the other side. This corresponds physically to an infinite sheet of supercurrent confined to the domain wall with a linearly rising gauge potential on one side and Meissner suppression on the other. While it was shown that these static solutions satisfied the field equations, their stability was left unresolved. In this paper, we analyse the normal modes of perturbations of the static solutions to demonstrate their perturbative stability.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Unification via intermediate symmetry breaking scales with the quartification gauge group

The idea of quark-lepton universality at high energies has been introduced as a natural extension to the standard model. This is achieved by endowing leptons with new degrees of freedom -- leptonic colour, an analogue of the familiar quark colour. Grand and partially unified models which utilise this new gauge symmetry SU(3)_\ell have been proposed in the context of the quartification gauge group SU(3)^4. Phenomenologically successful gauge coupling constant unification without supersymmetry has been demonstrated for cases where the symmetry breaking leaves a residual SU(2)_\ell unbroken. Though attractive, these schemes either incorporate ad hoc discrete symmetries and non-renormalisable mass terms, or achieve only partial unification. We show that grand unified models can be constructed where the quartification group can be broken fully [i.e. no residual SU(2)_\ell] to the standard model gauge group without requiring additional discrete symmetries or higher dimension operators. These models also automatically have suppressed nonzero neutrino masses. We perform a systematic analysis of the renormalisation-group equations for all possible symmetry breaking routes from SU(3)^4 --> SU(3)_q x SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y. This analysis indicates that gauge coupling unification can be achieved for several different symmetry breaking patterns and we outline the requirements that each gives on the unification scale. We also show that the unification scenarios of those models which leave a residual SU(2)_\ell symmetry are not unique. In both symmetry breaking cases, some of the scenarios require new physics at the TeV scale, while others do not allow for new TeV phenomenology in the fermionic sector.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

The clash of symmetries in a Randall-Sundrum-like spacetime

We present a toy model that exhibits clash-of-symmetries style Higgs field kink configurations in a Randall-Sundrum-like spacetime. The model has two complex scalar fields Phi_{1,2}, with a sextic potential obeying global U(1)xU(1) and discrete Phi_1 <--> Phi_2 interchange symmetries. The scalar fields are coupled to 4+1 dimensional gravity endowed with a bulk cosmological constant. We show that the coupled Einstein-Higgs field equations have an interesting analytic solution provided the sextic potential adopts a particular form. The 4+1 metric is shown to be that of a smoothed-out Randall-Sundrum type of spacetime. The thin-brane Randall-Sundrum limit, whereby the Higgs field kinks become step functions, is carefully defined in terms of the fundamental parameters in the action. The ``clash of symmetries'' feature, defined in previous papers, is manifested here through the fact that both of the U(1) symmetries are spontaneously broken at all non-asymptotic points in the extra dimension $w$. One of the U(1)'s is asymptotically restored as w --> -infinity, with the other U(1) restored as w --> +infinity. The spontaneously broken discrete symmetry ensures topological stability. In the gauged version of this model we find new flat-space solutions, but in the warped metric case we have been unable to find any solutions with nonzero gauge fields.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Kink-induced symmetry breaking patterns in brane-world SU(3)^3 trinification models

The trinification grand unified theory (GUT) has gauge group SU(3)^3 and a discrete symmetry permuting the SU(3) factors. In common with other GUTs, the attractive nature of the fermionic multiplet assignments is obviated by the complicated multi-parameter Higgs potential apparently needed for phenomenological reasons, and also by vacuum expectation value (VEV) hierarchies within a given multiplet. This motivates the rigorous consideration of Higgs potentials, symmetry breaking patterns and alternative symmetry breaking mechanisms in models with this gauge group. Specifically, we study the recently proposed ``clash of symmetries'' brane-world mechanism to see if it can help with the symmetry breaking conundrum. This requires a detailed analysis of Higgs potential global minima and kink or domain wall solutions interpolating between the disconnected global minima created through spontaneous discrete symmetry breaking. Sufficiently long-lived metastable kinks can also be considered. We develop what we think is an interesting, albeit speculative, brane-world scheme whereby the hierarchical symmetry breaking cascade, trinification to left-right symmetry to the standard model to colour cross electromagnetism, may be induced without an initial hierarchy in vacuum expectation values. Another motivation for this paper is simply to continue the exploration of the rich class of kinks arising in models that are invariant under both discrete and continuous symmetries.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Neutrinos from the Galactic Center in the Light of its Gamma-Ray Detection at TeV Energy

We re-evaluate the event rate expected in km^3-scale detectors for neutrinos from the direction of the Galactic Center (GC) in light of recent spectral measurements obtained by the HESS instrument for ~TeV gamma-radiation from this direction. In the most plausible scenario the re-evaluated event rate is smaller than that previously calculated--and here re-calculated--on the basis of EGRET data. However, the GC TeV gamma-ray detections by the Whipple, CANGAROO, and HESS instruments, together with the strong indications for an overabundance of cosmic rays coming from the GC at EeV energies, strengthen the expectation for a detectable, TeV-PeV GC neutrino signal from proton-proton interactions in that region. If the TeV gamma-ray--EeV cosmic ray anisotropy connection is correct, this signal will be detectable within a year and half for km^3-scale neutrino detectors in the Northern Hemisphere at super-TeV energies and, significantly, should also be detectable in 1.6 years by the South Polar IceCube detector at energies > 10^14 eV. The GC neutrino signal should also produce a detectable signal from neutrino showering and resonant W^- production by anti-electron-neutrinos in the volume of a km^3-scale detector.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

The AGASA/SUGAR Anisotropies and TeV Gamma Rays from the Galactic Center: A Possible Signature of Extremely High-energy Neutrons

Recent analysis of data sets from two extensive air shower cosmic ray detectors shows tantalizing evidence of an anisotropic overabundance of cosmic rays towards the Galactic Center (GC) that ``turns on'' around $10^{18}$ eV. We demonstrate that the anisotropy could be due to neutrons created at the Galactic Center through charge-exchange in proton-proton collisions, where the incident, high energy protons obey an $\sim E^{-2}$ power law associated with acceleration at a strong shock. We show that the normalization supplied by the gamma-ray signal from EGRET GC source 3EG J1746-2851 -- ascribed to pp induced neutral pion decay at GeV energies -- together with a very reasonable spectral index of 2.2, predicts a neutron flux at $\sim 10^{18}$ eV fully consistent with the extremely high energy cosmic ray data. Likewise, the normalization supplied by the very recent GC data from the HESS air-Cerenkov telescope at TeV energies is almost equally-well compatible with the $\sim 10^{18}$ eV cosmic ray data. Interestingly, however, the EGRET and HESS data appear to be themselves incompatible. We consider the implications of this discrepancy. We discuss why the Galactic Center environment can allow diffusive shock acceleration at strong shocks up to energies approaching the ankle in the cosmic ray spectrum. Finally, we argue that the shock acceleration may be occuring in the shell of Sagittarius A East, an unusual supernova remnant located very close to the Galactic Center. If this connection between the anisotropy and Sagittarius A East could be firmly established it would be the first direct evidence for a particular Galactic source of cosmic rays up to energies near the ankle.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

O(10) kinks: clash of symmetries on the brane and the gauge hierarchy problem

We study kink or domain wall solutions in O(10) Higgs models in the context of the ``clash of symmetries'' mechanism developed by Davidson, Toner, Volkas and Wali and, independently, by Pogosian and Vachaspati. We show that kink configurations employing Higgs fields in the 45 (the adjoint representation) of O(10) break up into three classes: those that at finite distances from the wall respect a U(5) subgroup of SO(10), and two others that respect the smaller subgroups U(3) x U(2) and U(4) x U(1). These smaller subgroups arise from the clash of symmetries mechanism: they are the intersections of two differently embedded U(5) subgroups of SO(10), the latter being the symmetries respected in asymptotia on opposite sides of the domain wall. The existence of the SO(10) -> U(3) x U(2) = SU(3) x SU(2) x U(1) x U(1)' = G_{SM} x U(1)' class advances the search for a realistic brane world model wherein some of the required symmetry breaking is achieved via the clash of symmetries rather than the conventional mechanism. At the centres of the walls, the unbroken symmetries are enhanced. In the U(3) x U(2) case, the symmetry is O(6) x U(2), which is closely related to the Pati-Salam-like SU(4) x SU(2) x U(1) group. If our universe is a brane located at the centre of such a wall, then we see the O(10) symmetry as being strongly broken to SU(4) x SU(2) x U(1). Interestingly, if the brane-world degrees of freedom enjoy a slight leakage off the wall, then an additional symmetry breakdown to U(3) x U(2) = G_{SM} x U(1)' is effectively induced on the brane. This provides a possible framework within which to address at least part of a gauge hierarchy problem: O(10) is strongly broken to SU(4) x SU(2) x U(1), then more weakly to G_{SM} x U(1)' depending on the amount of leakage off the brane. We also comment on kinks employing the 10 and 54 of O(10).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2003

State permutations from manipulation of near level-crossings

We discuss some systematic methods for implementing state manipulations in systems formally similar to chains of a few spins with nearest-neighbor interactions, arranged such that there are strong and weak scales of coupling links. States are permuted by means of bias potentials applied to a few selected sites. This generic structure is then related to an atoms-in-a-cavity model that has been proposed in the literature as a way of achieving a decoherence free subspace. A new method using adiabatically varying laser detuning to implement a CNOT gate in this model is proposed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Tri-bimaximal mixing, discrete family symmetries, and a conjecture connecting the quark and lepton mixing matrices

Neutrino oscillation experiments (excluding the LSND experiment) suggest a tri-bimaximal form for the lepton mixing matrix. This form indicates that the mixing matrix is probably independent of the lepton masses, and suggests the action of an underlying discrete family symmetry. Using these hints, we conjecture that the contrasting forms of the quark and lepton mixing matrices may both be generated by such a discrete family symmetry. This idea is that the diagonalisation matrices out of which the physical mixing matrices are composed have large mixing angles, which cancel out due to a symmetry when the CKM matrix is computed, but do not do so in the MNS case. However, in the cases where the Higgs bosons are singlets under the symmetry, and the family symmetry commutes with SU(2)L, we prove a no-go theorem: no discrete unbroken family symmetry can produce the required mixing patterns. We then suggest avenues for future research.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

Neutrinos in cosmology, with some significant digressions

Neutrinos play prominent roles in both particle physics and cosmology. In this talk, I will cover two broad topics. The first will be possible origins for neutrino masses and mixings and the implications of this physics for cosmology. Some non-cosmological digressions on the flavour problem in general will be made. The second topic will be Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) and bounds on active-sterile neutrino mixing.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

Generation of entangled states and error protection from adiabatic avoided level crossings

We consider the environment-affected dynamics of $N$ self-interacting particles living in one-dimensional double wells. Two topics are dealt with. First, we consider the production of entangled states of two-level systems. We show that by adiabatically varying the well biases we may dynamically generate maximally entangled states, starting from initially unentangled product states. Entanglement degradation due to a common type of environmental influence is then computed by solving a master equation. However, we also demonstrate that entanglement production is unaffected if the system-environment coupling is of the type that induces ``motional narrowing''. As our second but related topic, we construct a different master equation that seamlessly merges error protection/detection dynamics for quantum information with the environmental couplings responsible for producing the errors in the first place. Adiabatic avoided crossing schemes are used in both topics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Introduction to sterile neutrinos

Model-building issues raised by the prospect of light sterile neutrinos are discussed in a pedagogical way. I first review the na\"ıve proposal that sterile neutrinos be identified with ``right handed neutrinos''. A critical discussion of the simple expedient of adding three gauge singlet fermions to the usual minimal standard model matter content is followed by an examination of right handed neutrinos in extended theories. I introduce the terminology of ``fully sterile'' and ``weakly sterile'' to classify varieties usually conflated under the sterile neutrino banner. After introducing the concepts of ``technical naturalness'' and plain ``naturalness'', the unbearable lightness of being a sterile neutrino is confronted. This problem is used to motivate mirror neutrinos, whose connection with pairwise maximal mixing is emphasised. Some brief remarks about phenomenology are made throughout. The impossibility of identifying the sole sterile neutrino of the currently favoured $2 + 2$ and $3 + 1$ phenomenological constructs as a lone gauge singlet fermion added to the minimal standard model is explained. Finally, I remark on the beauty and subtlety of light sterile neutrino cosmology.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

Entanglement and quantal coherence: a study of two limiting cases of rapid system--bath interactions

We consider the dynamics of a system coupled to a thermal bath, going beyond the standard two-level system through the addition of an energy excitation degree of freedom. Further extensions are to systems containing many fermions, with the master equations modified to take Fermi-Dirac statistics into account, and to potentials with a time-dependent bias that induce resonant avoided crossing transitions. The limit $Q \to \infty$, where the interaction rate with the bath is much greater than all free oscillation rates for the system, is interrogated. Two behaviors are possible: freezing (quantum Zeno effect) or synchronization (motional narrowing). We clarify the conditions that give rise to each possibility, making an explicit connection with quantum measurement theory. We compare the evolution of quantal coherence for the two cases as a function of $Q$, noting that full coherence is restored as $Q \to \infty$. Using an extended master equation, the effect of system-bath interactions on entanglement in bipartite system states is computed. In particular, we show that the sychronization case sees bipartite system entanglement fully preserved in the large $Q$ limit.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Discovering Long Wavelength Neutrino Oscillations in the Distorted Neutrino Spectrum of Galactic Supernova Remnants

We investigate the muon neutrino event rate in km$^3$ neutrino telescopes due to a number of galactic supernova remnants expected on the basis of these objects' known $γ$-ray signals. We evaluate the potential of these neutrino signals to exhibit evidence of the sub-dominant neutrino oscillations expected in various neutrino mixing schemes including pseudo-Dirac scenarios and the Exact Parity Model. With ten years' data, neutrino signals from Sgr A East should either discover or exclude neutrino oscillations governed by a $δm^2$ parameter in the range $10^{-12}$ to $10^{-15}$ eV$^2$. Such a capability is not available to terrestrial or solar system neutrino experiments.

astro-ph↗