arXiv subjects

S. Nasri

Publications and source records attributed to S. Nasri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Phase broken $μ-τ$ symmetry and the neutrino mass hierarchy

Inspired by the neutrino oscillations data, we consider the exact $μ-τ$ symmetry, implemented at the level of the neutrino mass matrix, as a good initial framework around which to study and describe neutrino phenomenology. Working in the diagonal basis for the charged leptons, we deviate from $μ-τ$ symmetry by just modifying the phases of the neutrino mass matrix elements. This deviation is enough to allow for a non-vanishing neutrino mixing entry $|V_{e3}|$ (i.e. $θ_{13}$) but it also gives a very stringent (and eventually falsifiable) prediction for the atmospheric neutrino mixing element $|V_{\mu3}|$ as a function of $|V_{e3}|$. The breaking by phases is characterized by a single phase and is shown to lead to interesting lower bounds on the allowed mass of the lightest neutrino depending on the ordering of neutrino masses (normal or inverted) and on the value of the Dirac ${\cal CP}$ violating phase $δ_{CP}$. The allowed parameter space for the effective Majorana neutrino mass $m_{ee}$ is also shown to be non-trivially constrained.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

ALMA Observations of HCO+ and HCN Emission in a massive star forming region N55 of the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present the results of high spatial resolution HCO$^{+}$($1-0$) and HCN($1-0$) observations of N55 south region (N55-S) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). N55-S is a relatively less extreme star-forming region of the LMC characterized by a low radiation field. We carried out a detailed analysis of the molecular emission to investigate the relation between dense molecular clumps and star formation in the quiescent environment of N55-S. We detect ten molecular clumps with significant HCO$^{+}(1-0)$ emission and eight with significant HCN($1-0$) emission, and estimate the molecular clump masses by virial and local thermodynamic equilibrium analysis. All identified young stellar objects (YSOs) in the N55-S are found to be near the HCO$^{+}$ and HCN emission peaks showing the association of these clumps with recent star formation activity. The molecular clumps that have associated YSOs show relatively larger linewidths and masses than those without YSOs. We compare the clump properties of the N55-S with those of other giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the LMC and find that N55-S clumps possess similar size but relatively lower linewidth and larger HCN/HCO$^{+}$(1$-$0) flux ratio. These results can be attributed to the low radiation field in N55-S resulted by relatively low star formation activity compared to other active star-forming regions like 30Doradus-10 and N159. The dense gas fraction of N55-S is $\sim$ 0.025, lower compared to other GMCs of the LMC supporting the low star formation efficiency of this region.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

Rotated $μ$\,--\,$τ$ Symmetry for One Generic Neutrino Mixing Angle: An analytical Study

We find a realization of the $Z_2$-symmetry in the neutrino mass matrix which expresses a rotation of the $μ-τ$ symmetry and is able to impose a generic smallest mixing angle, in contrast to a zero-value predicted by the usual non-rotated form of the $μ-τ$ symmetry. We extend this symmetry for the lepton sector within type-I seesaw scenario, and show it can accommodate the mixing angles, the mass hierarchies and the lepton asymmetry in the universe. We then study the effects of perturbing the specific form of the neutrino mass matrix imposed by the symmetry and compute the resulting mixing and mass spectrum. We trace back this "low-scale" perturbation to a "high-scale" perturbation, and find realizations of this latter one arising from exact symmetries with an enriched matter content.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Neutrino Mixing and Leptogenesis in $μ-τ$ Symmetry

We study the consequences of the $Z_2$-symmetry behind the $μ$--$τ$ universality in neutrino mass matrix. We then implement this symmetry in the type-I seesaw mechanism and show how it can accommodate all sorts of lepton mass hierarchies and generate enough lepton asymmetry to interpret the observed baryon asymmetry in the universe. We also show how a specific form of a high-scale perturbation is kept when translated via the seesaw into the low scale domain, where it can accommodate the neutrino mixing data. We finally present a realization of the high scale perturbed texture through addition of matter and extra exact symmetries.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Neutrino Mass Textures and Partial $μ$-$τ$ Symmetry

We discuss the viability of the $μ$--$τ$ interchange symmetry imposed on the neutrino mass matrix in the flavor space. Whereas the exact symmetry is shown to lead to textures of completely degenerate spectrum which is incompatible with the neutrino oscillation data, introducing small perturbations into the preceding textures, inserted in a minimal way, lead however to four deformed textures representing an approximate $μ$--$τ$ symmetry. We motivate the form of these `minimal' textures, which disentangle the effects of the perturbations, and present some concrete realizations assuming exact $μ$--$τ$ at the Lagrangian level but at the expense of adding new symmetries and matter fields. We find that all these deformed textures are capable to accommodate the experimental data, and in all types of neutrino mass hierarchies, in particular the non-vanishing value for the smallest mixing angle.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

The U(1) symmetry of the non-tribimaximal pattern in the degenerate mass spectrum case of the neutrino mass matrix

On account of the new neutrino oscillation data signalling a non-zero value for the smallest mixing angle ($θ_z$), we present an explicit realization of the underlying U(1) symmetry characterizing the maximal atmospheric mixing angle ($θ_y = π/ 4$) pattern with two degenerate masses but now with generic values of $θ_z$. We study the effects of the form invariance with respect to U(1), and/or $Z_3$, $Z_2$ subgroups, on the Yukawa couplings and the mass terms. Later on, we specify $θ_z$ to its experimental best fit value ($ \sim 8^o$), and impose the symmetry in an entire model which includes charged leptons, and many Higgs doublets or standard model singlet heavy scalars, to show that it can make room for the charged lepton mass hierarchies. In addition, we show for the non-tribimaximal value of $θ_z \neq 0$ within type-I seesaw mechanism enhanced with flavor symmetry that neutrino mass hierarchies can be generated. Furthermore, lepton/baryogenesis can be interpreted via type-II seesaw mechanism within a setup meeting the flavor U(1)-symmetry.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

The (Z_2)^3 symmetry of the non-tri-bimaximal pattern for the neutrino mass matrix

In view of the recent neutrino oscillation data pointing to a non-vanishing value for the smallest mixing angle ($θ_z$), we derive and find explicit realizations of the $(Z_2)^3$ flavor symmetry which characterizes, for the neutrino mass matrix, uniquely a variant of the tripartite form, originally conceived to lead to the tri-bimaximal mixing with $θ_z=0$, so that to allow now for a non-tri-bimaximal pattern with non-zero $θ_z$. We impose this flavor symmetry in a setting including the charged leptons and we see that it can make room, through higher order terms involving new SM-singlet scalars, for the mass hierarchy of charged leptons. Moreover, within type-I seesaw mechanism augmented with the flavor symmetry, certain patterns occurring in both the Dirac and the Majorana neutrino mass matrices can accommodate all types of mass hierarchies in the effective neutrino mass matrix, but no lepton/baryon asymmetry can be generated. Finally, we discuss how type-II seesaw mechanism, when supplemented with the flavor symmetry, could be used to interpret the observed baryon asymmetry through leptogenesis.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Form Invariance and Symmetry in the Neutrino Mass Matrix

We present the general form of the unitary matrices keeping invariant the Majorana neutrino mass matrix of specific texture suitable for explaining oscillation data. In the case of the Tri-bimaximal pattern with two degenerate masses we give a specific realization of the underlying $U(1)$ symmetry which can be uplifted to a symmetry in a complete theory including charged leptons. For this, we present a model with three light SM-like Higgs doublets and one heavy Higgs triplet and find that one can accommodate the hierarchy of the charged lepton masses. The lepton mass spectrum can also be achieved in another model extending the SM with three SM-singlet scalars transforming non trivially under the flavor symmetry. We discuss how such a model has room for generating enough baryon asymmetry through leptogenesis in the framework of Type-I and II seesaw mechanisms.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

(Z_2)^3 Symmetry of the Tripartite Model

We derive in a simple way the $(Z_2)^3$ symmetry which characterizes uniquely the phenomenologically successful tripartite form leading to the tribimaximal mixing in the neutrino mass matrix. We impose this symmetry in a setup including the charged leptons and find that it can accommodate all the possible patterns of lepton masses in the framework of type-I and type-II seesaw mechanisms. We also discuss the possibility of generating enough baryon asymmetry through lepton-lepton asymmetry.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Exact relativistic beta decay endpoint spectrum

The exact relativistic form for the beta decay endpoint spectrum is derived and presented in a simple factorized form. We show that our exact formula can be well approximated to yield the endpoint form used in the fit method of the KATRIN collaboration. We also discuss the three neutrino case and how information from neutrino oscillation experiments may be useful in analyzing future beta decay endpoint experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Unified TeV Scale Picture of Baryogenesis and Dark Matter

We present a simple extension of MSSM which provides a unified picture of cosmological baryon asymmetry and dark matter. Our model introduces a gauge singlet field $N$ and a color triplet field $X$ which couple to the right--handed quark fields. The out--of equilibrium decay of the Majorana fermion $N$ mediated by the exchange of the scalar field $X$ generates adequate baryon asymmetry for $M_N \sim 100$ GeV and $M_X \sim$ TeV. The scalar partner of $N$ (denoted $\tilde{N}_1$) is naturally the lightest SUSY particle as it has no gauge interactions and plays the role of dark matter. $\tilde{N}_1$ annihilates into quarks efficiently in the early universe via the exchange of the fermionic $\tilde{X}$ field. The model is experimentally testable in (i) neutron--antineutron oscillations with a transition time estimated to be around $10^{10}$ sec, (ii) discovery of colored particles $X$ at LHC with mass of order TeV, and (iii) direct dark matter detection with a predicted cross section in the observable range.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Post--Sphaleron Baryogenesis

We present a new mechanism for generating the baryon asymmetry of the universe directly in the decay of a singlet scalar field $S_r$ with a weak scale mass and a high dimensional baryon number violating coupling. Unlike most currently popular models, this mechanism, which becomes effective after the electroweak phase transition, does not rely on the sphalerons for inducing a nonzero baryon number. CP asymmetry in $S_r$ decay arises through loop diagrams involving the exchange of $W^\pm$ gauge bosons, and is suppressed by light quark masses, leading naturally to a value of $η_B \sim 10^{-10}$. We show that the simplest realization of this mechanism, which uses a six quark $ΔB=2$ operator, predicts colored scalars accessible to the LHC, and neutron--antineutron oscillation within reach of the next generation experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

$S_3$ Symmetry and Tri-bimaximal Mixing

The near maximal value for the atmospheric neutrino mixing angle together with the fact that the solar mixing angle satisfies the relation $\sin^2θ_\odot\simeq {1/3}$ is the basis for the so called tri-bimaximal mixing (tbm) when $θ_{13}=0$. In this note, we explore the possibility that tri-bimaximal mixing is an indication of a softly broken higher leptonic symmetry $S_3$, the permutation of three lepton families that embeds the $μ-τ$ exchange symmetry of leptons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Leptogenesis in Realistic SO(10) Models

We study the origin of baryonic matter via leptogenesis in realistic SO(10) models, in particular, in a new lopsided mass matrix model introduced recently by three of the authors. By introducing simple CP-violating phases in the mass matrix of the right-handed neutrinos, the model generates sufficient baryon asymmetry without fine-tuning. We compare this result with other realistic SO(10) models.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Grand unification of $μ-τ$ Symmetry

Near maximal neutrino mixing needed to understand atmospheric neutrino data can be interpreted to be a consequence of an interchange symmetry between the muon and tau neutrinos in the neutrino mass matrix in the flavor basis. This idea can be tested by a measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter $θ_{13}$ and looking for its correlation with $θ_{23}-π/4$. We present a supersymmetric SU(5) grand unified model for quarks and leptons which obeys this exchange symmetry and is a realistic model that can fit all observations. GUT embedding shifts $θ_{13}$ from its zero $μ-τ$ symmetric value to a nonzero value keeping it under an upper limit.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Some Implications of Neutron Mirror Neutron Oscillation

We comment on a recently discussed possibility of oscillations between neutrons and degenerate mirror neutrons in the context of mirror models for particles and forces. It has been noted by Bento and Berezhiani that if these oscillations occurred at a rate of $τ^{-1}_{NN'}\sim sec^{-1}$, it would help explain putative super GKZ cosmic ray events provided the temperature of the mirror radiation is $\sim 0.3-0.4$ times that of familiar cosmic microwave background radiation. We discuss how such oscillation time scales can be realized in mirror models and find that the simplest nonsupersymmetric model for this idea requires the existence of a low mass (30-3000 GeV) color triplet scalar or vector boson. A supersymmetric model, where this constraint can be avoided is severely constrained by the requirement of maintaining a cooler mirror sector. We also find that the reheat temperature after inflation in generic models that give fast $n-n'$ oscillation be less than about 300 GeV in order to maintain the required relative coolness of the mirror sector.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Fine structure of beta decay endpoint spectrum

We note that the fine structure at the endpoint region of the beta decay spectrum is now essentially known using neutrino oscillation data, if the mass of one neutrino is specified. This may help to identify the effects of nonzero neutrino masses in future experiments. An exact treatment of phase space kinematics is used. This work is independent of theoretical models. Additional restrictions due to the assumption of a so-called "complementary ansatz" for the neutrino mass matrix are also discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Seesaw Right Handed Neutrino as the Sterile Neutrino for LSND

We show that a double seesaw framework for neutrino masses with $μ-τ$ exchange symmetry can lead to one of the righthanded seesaw partners of the light neutrinos being massless. This can play the role of a light sterile neutrino, giving a $3+1$ model that explains the LSND results. We get a very economical scheme, which makes it possible to predict the full $4\times 4$ neutrino mass matrix if CP is conserved. Once CP violation is included, effect of the LSND mass range sterile neutrino is to eliminate the lower bound on neutrinoless double beta decay rate which exists for the three neutrino case with inverted mass hierarchy. The same strategy can also be used to generate a natural $3+2$ model for LSND, which is also equally predictive for the CP conserving case in the limit of exact $μ-τ$ symmetry.

hep-ph↗