arXiv subjects

W. G. Scott

Publications and source records attributed to W. G. Scott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Unitarity triangle angles explained: a predictive new quark mass matrix texture

We propose a novel quark mass matrix texture-pair with five free parameters, which fits the four quark mass ratios $m_s/m_b$, $m_d/m_b$, $m_c/m_t$, $m_u/m_t$, and the four CKM quark mixing observables. The matrices each have one texture zero, but the main innovation here is a ``geometric'' ansatz exploiting a pair of small complex expansion parameters, based on the geometry of the Unitarity Triangle. The fit to the observables is in good agreement with current experimental values renormalised to $\sim\!\!10^4$ TeV, and offers decisive tests against future high-precision measurements of the unitarity triangle angles at the weak scale. We identify two novel symmetries of these mass matrices which explain the phenomenologically-successful relations $α\equivϕ_2\simeq\tfracπ{2}$ and $β\equivϕ_1\simeq\tfracπ{8}$.

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arXiv2018

Fully Constrained Majorana Neutrino Mass Matrices Using $Σ(72\times 3)$

In 2002, two neutrino mixing ansatze having trimaximally-mixed middle ($ν_2$) columns, namely tri-chi-maximal mixing ($\text{T}χ\text{M}$) and tri-phi-maximal mixing ($\text{T}ϕ\text{M}$), were proposed. In 2012, it was shown that $\text{T}χ\text{M}$ with $χ=\pm \fracπ{16}$ as well as $\text{T}ϕ\text{M}$ with $ϕ= \pm \fracπ{16}$ leads to the solution, $\sin^2 θ_{13} = \frac{2}{3} \sin^2 \fracπ{16}$, consistent with the latest measurements of the reactor mixing angle, $θ_{13}$. To obtain $\text{T}χ\text{M}_{(χ=\pm \fracπ{16})}$ and $\text{T}ϕ\text{M}_{(ϕ=\pm \fracπ{16})}$, the type~I see-saw framework with fully constrained Majorana neutrino mass matrices was utilised. These mass matrices also resulted in the neutrino mass ratios, $m_1:m_2:m_3=\frac{\left(2+\sqrt{2}\right)}{1+\sqrt{2(2+\sqrt{2})}}:1:\frac{\left(2+\sqrt{2}\right)}{-1+\sqrt{2(2+\sqrt{2})}}$. In this paper we construct a flavour model based on the discrete group $Σ(72\times 3)$ and obtain the aforementioned results. A Majorana neutrino mass matrix (a symmetric $3\times 3$ matrix with 6 complex degrees of freedom) is conveniently mapped into a flavon field transforming as the complex 6 dimensional representation of $Σ(72\times 3)$. Specific vacuum alignments of the flavons are used to arrive at the desired mass matrices.

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arXiv2016

The SU(3) Algebra in a Cyclic Basis

With the couplings between the eight gluons constrained by the structure constants of the su(3) algebra in QCD, one would expect that there should exist a special basis (or set of bases) for the algebra wherein, unlike in a Cartan-Weyl basis, {\em all} gluons interact identically (cyclically) with each other, explicitly on an equal footing. We report here particular such bases, which we have found in a computer search, and we indicate associated $3 \times 3$ representations. We conjecture that essentially all cyclic bases for su(3) may be obtained from these making appropriate circulant transformations,and that cyclic bases may also exist for other su(n), n>3.

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arXiv2014

Deviations from Tribimaximal Neutrino Mixing using a Model with $Δ(27)$ Symmetry

We present a model of neutrino mixing based on the flavour group $Δ(27)$ in order to account for the observation of a non-zero reactor mixing angle ($θ_{13}$). The model provides a common flavour structure for the charged-lepton and the neutrino sectors, giving their mass matrices a `circulant-plus-diagonal' form. Mass matrices of this form readily lead to mixing patterns with realistic deviations from tribimaximal mixing, including non-zero $θ_{13}$. With the parameters constrained by existing measurements, our model predicts an inverted neutrino mass hierarchy. We obtain two distinct sets of solutions in which the atmospheric mixing angle lies in the first and the second octants. The first (second) octant solution predicts the lightest neutrino mass, $m_3 \sim 29~\text{meV}$ ($m_3 \sim 65~\text{meV}$) and the $CP$ phase, $δ_{CP} \sim -\fracπ{4}$ ($δ_{CP} \sim \fracπ{2}$), offering the possibility of large observable $CP$ violating effects in future experiments.

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arXiv2013

Simplest Neutrino Mixing from S4 Symmetry

In 2004, two of us proposed a texture, the "Simplest" neutrino mass matrix, which predicted sin(theta13)=sqrt((2 Solar-Delta m^2)/(3 Atm-Delta m^2)) and delta_CP=90 degrees. Using today's measured values for neutrino mass-squared differences, this prediction gives sin^2(theta13)~0.086+0.003-0.006, compared with a measured value, found by averaging the results of the Daya Bay and RENO experiments, of sin^2(theta13)=0.093+0.010-0.010. Here we present a specific model based on S4 symmetry leading to this successful texture in the context of the type-1 see-saw mechanism, assuming Majorana neutrinos. In this case, slightly different predictions are obtained relating theta13 to the light neutrino masses, which are in accord with current experimental limits and testable at future experiments. Large CP asymmetries remain a generic prediction of the texture.

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arXiv2010

Exact One-Loop Evolution Invariants in the Standard Model

Guided by considerations of flavour symmetry, we construct a set of exact Standard Model (SM) renormalisation group evolution invariants which link quark masses and mixing parameters. We examine their phenomenological implications and infer a simple combination of Yukawa coupling matrices which plays a unique role in the SM, suggesting a possible new insight into the observed spectrum of quark masses. Our evolution invariants are readily generalised to the leptons in the case of Dirac neutrinos, but do not appear to be relevant for either quarks or leptons in the MSSM.

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arXiv2009

The Matrix of Unitarity Triangle Angles for Quarks

In the context of quark (as for lepton) mixing, we introduce the concept of the matrix of unitarity triangle angles $Φ$, emphasising that it carries equivalent information to the complex mixing matrix $V$ itself. The angle matrix $Φ$ has the added advantage, with respect to $V$, of being both basis-and phase-convention independent and consequently observable (indeed several $Φ$-matrix entries, eg. $Φ_{cs}=α$, $Φ_{us}=β$ etc. are already long-studied as directly measurable/measured in $B$-physics experiments). We give complete translation formulae between the mixing-matrix and angle-matrix representations. We go on to consider briefly the present state of the experimental data on the full angle matrix and some of the prospects for the future, with reference to both the quark and lepton cases.

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arXiv2009

A Flavour-Symmetric Perspective on Neutrino Mixing

A review and consolidation of some of our more recent publications, many with our various collaborators. While we cannot resist mentioning Tribimaximal mixing, our main theme is Flavour Symmetry, in particular Flavour-Symmetric Observables, scalar (or pseudo-scalar) under $S3_l \times S3_ν$. Our "best guess" for the smallest neutrino mixing angle remains: $\sin θ_{13}=\sqrt{2 Δm^2_{sol}/(3 Δm^2_{atm})} \simeq 0.13$.

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arXiv2009

Is the Unitarity Triangle Right?

The latest fits to the CKM matrix indicate that alpha=(90.7+4.5-2.9) degrees. The proximity of alpha to a right-angle raises the question: is it merely accidental or is it due to some physics beyond the Standard Model? In the framework of our recently-proposed flavour permutation symmetry, we consider the similarities between the quark and lepton mixing matrices, V and U, arguing that the relative smallness of one element in each suggests common constraints. These constraints link the smallness of V_ub and U_e3 with each other, and with the approximate mu-tau symmetry observed in leptonic mixing, together with a prediction of a large Dirac CP phase in both the quark and lepton sectors. In the quark case, we predict alpha=(89.0\pm 0.2) degrees, in agreement with data and suggesting that the unitarity triangle is in fact very nearly, but not exactly right.

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arXiv2008

Flavour Permutation Symmetry and Fermion Mixing

We discuss our recently proposed S3(down)xS3(up) flavour-permutation-symmetric mixing observables, giving expressions for them in terms of (moduli-squared) of the mixing matrix elements. We outline their successful use in providing flavour-symmetric descriptions of (non-flavour-symmetric) lepton mixing schemes. We develop our partially unified flavour-symmetric description of both quark and lepton mixings, providing testable predictions for CP-violating phases in both B decays and neutrino oscillations.

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arXiv2007

Plaquette Invariants and the Flavour Symmetric Description of Quark and Neutrino Mixings

We present a complete set of new flavour-permutation-symmetric mixing observables. We give expressions for these "plaquette invariants", both in terms of the mixing matrix elements alone, and in terms of manifestly Jarlskog-invariant functions of fermion mass matrices. While these quantities are unconstrained in the Standard Model, we point out that remarkably, in the case of leptonic mixing, the values of most of them are consistent with zero, corresponding to certain phenomenological symmetries. We give examples of their application to the flavour-symmetric description of both lepton and quark mixings, showing for the first time how to construct explicitly weak-basis invariant constraints on the mass matrices, for a number of phenomenologically valid mixing ansatze.

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arXiv2006

Simplified Unitarity Triangles for the Lepton Sector

Encouraged by the latest SNO results, we consider the lepton mixing matrix in the approximation that the nu_2 mass eigenstate is trimaximally (democratically) mixed. This suggests a new parameterization of the remaining mixing degrees of freedom, which eschews mixing angles, dealing instead, directly with the complex parameter U_e3 of the mixing matrix. Unitarity triangles then take a particularly simple form, which we hope will faciltate comparison with experiment.

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arXiv2006

Real Invariant Matrices and Flavour-Symmetric Mixing Variables with Emphasis on Neutrino Oscillations

In fermion mixing phenomenology, the matrix of moduli squared, P=(|U|^2), is well-known to carry essentially the same information as the complex mixing matrix U itself, but with the advantage of being phase-convention independent. The matrix K (analogous to the Jarlskog CP-invariant J) formed from the real parts of the mixing matrix "plaquette" products is similarly invariant. In this paper, the P and K matrices are shown to be entirely equivalent, both being directly related (in the leptonic case) to the observable, locally L/E-averaged transition probabilities in neutrino oscillations. We study an (over-)complete set of flavour-symmetric Jarlskog-invariant functions of mass-matrix commutators, rewriting them simply as moment-transforms of such (real) invariant matrices.

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arXiv2005

Covariant Extremisation of Flavour-Symmetric Jarlskog Invariants and the Neutrino Mixing Matrix

We examine the possibility that the form of the lepton mixing matrix can be determined by extremising the Jarlskog flavour invariants associated, eg. with the commutator ($C$) of the lepton mass matrices. Introducing a strictly covariant approach, keeping masses fixed and extremising the determinant (Tr $C^3/3$) leads to maximal CP violation, while extremising the sum of the $2 \times 2$ principal minors ($-{\rm Tr} C^2/2$), leads to a non-trivial mixing with zero CP violation. Extremising, by way of example, a general linear combination of two CP-symmetric invariants together, we show that our procedures can lead to acceptable mixings and to non-trivial predictions, eg.\ $|U_{e3}| \simeq \sqrt{2}/3 \sqrt{Δm_{12}^2/Δm_{23}^2} (1-m_μ/m_τ)^2 \simeq 0.07$.

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arXiv2004

The Simplest Neutrino Mass Matrix

We motivate the simplest ansatz for the neutrino mass matrix consistent with the data from neutrino oscillation experiments, and admitting CP violation. It has only two free parameters: an arbitrary mass-scale and a small dimensionless ratio. This mass matrix exhibits two symmetries, Democracy and Mutativity, which respectively ensure trimaximal mixing of the |nu_2> mass eigenstate, and mixing parameter values |theta_{23}|=45 degrees and |delta|=90 degrees, consistent with bimaximal mixing of the |nu_3> mass eigenstate. A third constraint relates the smallness of |U_{e3}|^2 to that of the mass-squared difference ratio, Delta m^2_sol/Delta m^2_atm, yielding the prediction sin(theta_{13})=sqrt{2 Delta m^2_sol/3 Delta m^2_atm} ~ 0.13 +- 0.03.

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arXiv2004

Status of Tri/Bi-Maximal Neutrino Mixing

Tri/bi-maximal mixing (TBM) is a specific lepton mixing ansatz, which describes the trend of the current neutrino oscillation data, in particular the recent SNO and KAMLAND results. The significant feature of TBM in this respect is |U_e2|^2=|U_m2|^2=|U_t2|^2=1/3, and we say that the nu_2 is tri-maximally mixed. We have generalised the TBM ansatz to a generic mixing matrix with the nu_2 trimaximally mixed, whereby the neutrino mass matrix in the lepton flavour basis takes the form of a general S3 group matrix (3 x 3 `magic-square'). In exact TBM the charged-lepton mass matrix in the neutrino mass basis (where the neutrino mass matrix is diagonal) takes the form of a general S3 class operator. The neutrino mass matrix in the flavour basis is a particular S3 group matrix which is also an S1 C S2 C S3 group-chain class operator, whereby the neutrino mass eigenstates are distinguished by their `mutativity' (M_i = +/-1) and `democracy' (D_i = 0,3) which are both good quantum numbers in exact TBM.

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arXiv2003

Exact Matter-Covariant Formulation of Neutrino Oscillation Probabilities

We write the probabilities for neutrino oscillations in uniform-density matter exactly in terms of convention-independent vacuum neutrino oscillation parameters and the matter density. This extends earlier results formulating neutrino oscillations in terms of matter-, phase-, and trace-invariant quantities.

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arXiv2003

Permutation Symmetry, Tri-Bimaximal Neutrino Mixing and the S3 Group Characters

We postulate that the neutrino mass matrix in the lepton flavour basis is an S3 group matrix in the natural representation of S3. This immediately requires one neutrino to be trimaximally mixed, as suggested by the solar neutrino data. We go on to postulate that the charged-lepton mass matrix in the neutrino mass-basis is an S3 class matrix in the natural representation of the S3 class-algebra, leading to exact tri-bimaximal mixing, which is compatible with data overall. The tri-bimaximal mixing matrix is seen to be closely related to the S3 character table, and is properly the S2 C S3 table of induction coefficients, where the S2 corresponds to symmetry under mu-tau interchange in the lepton flavour basis.

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