Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

S. Morisi

Publications and source records attributed to S. Morisi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2017

A neutrino mass-mixing sum rule from SO(10) and neutrinoless double beta decay

Minimal SO(10) grand unified models provide phenomenological predictions for neutrino mass patterns and mixing. These are the outcome of the interplay of several features, namely: i) the seesaw mechanism; ii) the presence of an intermediate scale where B-L gauge symmetry is broken and the right-handed neutrinos acquire a Majorana mass; iii) a symmetric Dirac neutrino mass matrix whose pattern is close to the up-type quark one. In this framework two natural characteristics emerge. Normal neutrino mass hierarchy is the only allowed, and there is an approximate relation involving both light-neutrino masses and mixing parameters. This differs from what occurring when horizontal flavour symmetries are invoked. In this case, in fact, neutrino mixing or mass relations have been separately obtained in literature. In this paper we discuss an example of such comprehensive mixing-mass relation in a specific realization of SO(10) and, in particular, analyse its impact on the expected neutrinoless double beta decay effective mass parameter $\langle m_{ee} \rangle$, and on the neutrino mass scale. Remarkably a lower limit for the lightest neutrino mass is obtained ($m_{\rm lightest} \gtrsim 7.5 \times 10^{-4}$ eV, at 3 $σ$ level).

hep-ph↗
arXiv2017

Dark Matter interpretation of low energy IceCube MESE excess

The 2-years MESE IceCube events show a slightly excess in the energy range 10-100 TeV with a maximum local statistical significance of 2.3$σ$, once a hard astrophysical power-law is assumed. A spectral index smaller than 2.2 is indeed suggested by multi-messenger studies related to $p$-$p$ sources and by the recent IceCube analysis regarding 6-years up-going muon neutrinos. In the present paper, we propose a two-components scenario where the extraterrestrial neutrinos are explained in terms of an astrophysical power-law and a Dark Matter signal. We consider both decaying and annihilating Dark Matter candidates with different final states (quarks and leptons) and different halo density profiles. We perform a likelihood-ratio analysis that provides a statistical significance up to 3.9$σ$ for a Dark Matter interpretation of the IceCube low energy excess.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2014

The Cabibbo angle as a universal seed for quark and lepton mixings

A model-independent ansatz to describe lepton and quark mixing in a unified way is suggested based upon the Cabibbo angle. In our framework neutrinos mix in a "Bi-Large" fashion, while the charged leptons mix as the "down-type" quarks do. In addition to the standard Wolfenstein parameters (lambda, A) two other free parameters are needed to specify the physical lepton mixing matrix. Through this simple assumption one makes specific predictions for the atmospheric angle as well as leptonic CP violation in good agreement with current observations.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2014

Dirac neutrinos from flavor symmetry

We present a model where Majorana neutrino mass terms are forbidden by the flavor symmetry group Delta(27). Neutrinos are Dirac fermions and their masses arise in the same way as that of the charged fermions, due to very small Yukawa couplings. The model fits current neutrino oscillation data and correlates the octant of the atmospheric angle with the magnitude of the lightest neutrino mass, with maximal mixing excluded for any neutrino mass

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Theories relating baryon asymmetry and dark matter: A mini review

The nature of dark matter and the origin of the baryon asymmetry are two of the deepest mysteries of modern particle physics. In the absence of hints regarding a possible solution to these mysteries, many approaches have been developed to tackle them simultaneously leading to very diverse and rich models. We give a short review where we describe the general features of some of these models and an overview on the general problem. We also propose a diagrammatic notation to label the different models.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

WIMP dark matter as radiative neutrino mass messenger

The minimal seesaw extension of the Standard SU(3) x SU(2) x U(1) Model requires two electroweak singlet fermions in order to accommodate the neutrino oscillation parameters at tree level. Here we consider a next to minimal extension where light neutrino masses are generated radiatively by two electroweak fermions: one singlet and one triplet under SU(2). These should be odd under a parity symmetry and their mixing gives rise to a stable weakly interactive massive particle (WIMP) dark matter candidate. For mass in the GeV-TeV range, it reproduces the correct relic density, and provides an observable signal in nuclear recoil direct detection experiments. The fermion triplet component of the dark matter has gauge interactions, making it also detectable at present and near future collider experiments.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Quark-Lepton Mass Relation in a Realistic A4 Extension of the Standard Model

We propose a realistic A4 extension of the Standard Model involving a particular quark-lepton mass relation, namely that the ratio of the third family mass to the geometric mean of the first and second family masses are equal for down-type quarks and charged leptons. This relation, which is approximately renormalization group invariant, is usually regarded as arising from the Georgi-Jarlskog relations, but in the present model there is no unification group or supersymmetry. In the neutrino sector we propose a simple modification of the so called Zee-Wolfenstein mass matrix pattern which allows an acceptable reactor angle along with a deviation of the atmospheric and solar angles from their bi-maximal values. Quark masses, mixing angles and CP violation are well described by a numerical fit.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Quark-Lepton Mass Relation and CKM mixing in an A4 Extension of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model

An interesting mass relation between down type quarks and charged leptons has been recently predicted within a supersymmetric SU(3)_c \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y model based on the A4 flavor symmetry. Here we propose a simple extension which provides an adequate full description of the quark sector. By adding a pair of vector-like up-quarks we show how the CKM entries Vub, Vcb, Vtd and Vts arise from deviations of the unitarity. We perform an analysis including the most relevant observables in the quark sector, such as oscillations and rare decays of Kaons, Bd and Bs mesons. In the lepton sector, model predicts an inverted hierarchy for the neutrino masses leading to a potentially observable rate of neutrinoless double beta decay.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Flavor origin of R-parity

Proton stability is guaranteed in the MSSM by assuming a discrete symmetry, R-parity. However, there are additional R-parity conserving higher dimensional operators which violate lepton and baryon numbers and induce fast proton decay. Here we study the possibility that all renormalizable, as well as the most dangerous non-renormalizable, R-parity violating operators are forbidden by a flavor symmetry, providing a common origin for fermion mixing and proton and dark matter stability. We propose a specific model based on the Delta(27) discrete symmetry.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Neutrino mixing with revamped A4 flavour symmetry

We suggest a minimal extension of the simplest A4 flavour model that can induce a nonzero theta13 value, as required by recent neutrino oscillation data from reactors and accelerators. The predicted correlation between the atmospheric mixing angle theta23 and the magnitude of theta13 leads to an allowed region substantially smaller than indicated by neutrino oscillation global fits. Moreover, the scheme correlates CP violation in neutrino oscillations with the octant of the atmospheric mixing parameter theta23 in such a way that, for example, maximal mixing necessarily violates CP. We briefly comment on other phenomenological features of the model.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Accidental stability of dark matter

We propose that dark matter is stable as a consequence of an accidental Z2 that results from a flavour-symmetry group which is the double-cover group of the symmetry group of one of the regular geometric solids. Although model-dependent, the phenomenology resembles that of a generic Higgs portal dark matter scheme.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Bilarge Neutrino Mixing and Abelian Flavor Symmetry

We explore two bilarge neutrino mixing anz$\ddot{a}$tze within the context of Abelian flavor symmetry theories: ($\mathrm{\tt BL_1}$) $\sinθ_{12}\simλ$, $\sinθ_{13}\simλ$, $\sinθ_{23}\simλ$, and ($\mathrm{\tt BL_2}$) $\sinθ_{12}\simλ$, $\sinθ_{13}\simλ$, $\sinθ_{23}\sim 1-λ$. The first pattern is proposed by two of us and is favored if the atmospheric mixing angle $θ_{23}$ lies in the first octant, while the second one is preferred for the second octant of $θ_{23}$. In order to reproduce the second texture, we find that the flavor symmetry should be $U(1)\times Z_m$, while for the first pattern the flavor symmetry should be extended to $U(1)\times Z_m\times Z_n$ with $m$ and $n$ of different parity. Explicit models for both mixing patterns are constructed based on the flavor symmetries $U(1)\times Z_3\times Z_4$ and $U(1)\times Z_2$. The models are extended to the quark sector within the framework of SU(5) grand unified theory in order to give a successful description of quark and lepton masses and mixing simultaneously. Phenomenological implications are discussed.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2013

Bilinear R-parity violation with flavor symmetry

Bilinear R-parity violation (BRPV) provides the simplest intrinsically supersymmetric neutrino mass generation scheme. While neutrino mixing parameters can be probed in high energy accelerators, they are unfortunately not predicted by the theory. Here we propose a model based on the discrete flavor symmetry $A_4$ with a single R-parity violating parameter, leading to (i) correct Cabbibo mixing given by the Gatto-Sartori-Tonin formula, and a successful unification-like b-tau mass relation, and (ii) a correlation between the lepton mixing angles $θ_{13}$ and $θ_{23}$ in agreement with recent neutrino oscillation data, as well as a (nearly) massless neutrino, leading to absence of neutrinoless double beta decay.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2012

Bi-large neutrino mixing and the Cabibbo angle

Recent measurements of the neutrino mixing angles cast doubt on the validity of the so-far popular tri-bimaximal mixing ansatz. We propose a parametrization for the neutrino mixing matrix where the reactor angle seeds the large solar and atmospheric mixing angles, equal to each other in first approximation. We suggest such bi-large mixing pattern as a model building standard, realized when the leading order value of the reactor angle equals the Cabibbo angle.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2012

Neutrino masses and mixing: a flavour symmetry roadmap

Over the last ten years tri-bimaximal mixing has played an important role in modeling the flavour problem. We give a short review of the status of flavour symmetry models of neutrino mixing. We concentrate on non-Abelian discrete symmetries, which provide a simple way to account for the TBM pattern. We discuss phenomenological implications such as neutrinoless double beta decay, lepton flavour violation as well as theoretical aspects such as the possibility to explain quarks and leptons within a common framework, such as grand unified models.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2012

Predictive Discrete Dark Matter Model

Dark Matter stability can be achieved through a partial breaking of a flavor symmetry. In this framework we propose a type-II seesaw model where left-handed matter transforms nontrivially under the flavor group Delta(54), providing correlations between neutrino oscillation parameters, consistent with the recent Daya-Bay and RENO reactor angle measurements, as well as lower bounds for neutrinoless double beta decay. The dark matter phenomenology is provided by a Higgs-portal.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2012

Predicting leptonic CP violation in the light of Daya Bay result

In the light of the recent Daya Bay result the reactor angle is about 9 degrees, we reconsider the model presented in arXiv:1005.3482 showing that, when all neutrino oscillation parameters are taken at their best fit values of Schwetz et al and the reactor angle to be the central value of Daya Bay, the predicted value of the CP phase is approximately 45 degrees.

hep-ph↗