arXiv subjects

Wei-Chih Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Wei-Chih Huang.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Lepton Number Violation and the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe

Neutrinoless double beta decay, lepton number violating collider processes and the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe (BAU) are intimately related. In particular lepton number violating processes at low energies in combination with sphaleron transitions will typically erase any pre-existing baryon asymmetry of the Universe. In this contribution we briefly review the tight connection between neutrinoless double beta decay, lepton number violating processes at the LHC and constraints from successful baryogenesis. We argue that far-reaching conclusions can be drawn unless the baryon asymmetry is stabilized via some newly introduced mechanism.

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arXiv2015

Dark matter origins of neutrino masses

We propose a simple scenario that directly connects the dark matter (DM) and neutrino mass scales. Based on an interaction between the DM particle $χ$ and the neutrino $ν$ of the form $χχνν/Λ^2$, the DM annihilation cross section into the neutrino is determined and a neutrino mass is radiatively induced. Using the observed neutrino mass scale and the DM relic density, the DM mass and the effective scale $Λ$ are found to be of the order MeV and GeV, respectively. We construct an ultraviolet-complete toy model based on the inverse seesaw mechanism which realizes this potential connection between DM and neutrino physics.

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arXiv2015

Non-abelian Dark Matter Solutions for Galactic Gamma-ray Excess and Perseus 3.5 keV X-ray Line

We attempt to explain simultaneously the Galactic center gamma-ray excess and the 3.5 keV X-ray line from the Perseus cluster based on a class of non-abelian $SU(2)$ DM models, in which the dark matter and an excited state comprise a "dark" $SU(2)$ doublet. The non-abelian group kinetically mixes with the standard model gauge group via dimensions-5 operators. The dark matter particles annihilate into standard model fermions, followed by fragmentation and bremsstrahlung, and thus producing a continuous spectrum of gamma-rays. On the other hand, the dark matter particles can annihilate into a pair of excited states, each of which decays back into the dark matter particle and an X-ray photon, which has an energy equal to the mass difference between the dark matter and the excited state, which is set to be 3.5 keV. The large hierarchy between the required X-ray and $γ$-ray annihilation cross-sections can be achieved by a very small kinetic mixing between the SM and dark sector, which effectively suppresses the annihilation into the standard model fermions but not into the excited state.

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arXiv2015

Dark Matter and Lepton Flavour Violation in a Hybrid Neutrino Mass Model

We describe a hybrid model in which the light neutrino mass matrix receives both tree-level seesaw and loop-induced contributions. An additional U(1) gauge symmetry is used to stabilize the lightest right-handed neutrino as the Dark Matter candidate. After fitting the experimental neutrino data, we analyze and correlate the phenomenological consequences of the model, namely its impact on electroweak precision measurements, the Dark Matter relic abundance, lepton flavour violating rare decays and neutrinoless double beta decay. We find that natural realizations of the model characterized by large Yukawa couplings are compatible with and close to the current experimental limits.

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arXiv2014

The Dark Side of $θ_{13}$, $δ_{CP}$, Leptogenesis and Inflation in Type-I Seesaw

In the context of the type-I seesaw mechanism, it is known that $θ_{13}$ is zero and leptogenesis can not be realized if there exists a residual flavor symmetry resulting in the Tri-Bimaximal neutrino mixing pattern. We propose a simple framework where additional particles, odd under a $Z_2$ symmetry, break the residual flavor symmetry and the lightest of the $Z_2$ odd particles is the dark matter candidate. As as result, nonzero $θ_{13}$, $δ_{CP}$, leptogenesis and the correct dark matter density can be accommodated. On the other hand, a $Z_2$ odd scalar can play the role of the inflaton with mass of $10^{13}$ GeV motivated by the recent BICEP2 results. Interestingly, the model can "generate" $δ_{CP} \simeq -π/2$, preferred by the T2K experiment in the normal hierarchy neutrino mass spectrum.

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arXiv2014

On neutrinoless double beta decay in the minimal left-right symmetric model

We analyze the general phenomenology of neutrinoless double beta decay in the minimal left-right symmetric model. We study under which conditions a New Physics dominated neutrinoless double beta decay signal can be expected in the future experiments. We show that the correlation among the different contributions to the process, which arises from the neutrino mass generation mechanism, can play a crucial role. We have found that, if no fine tuned cancellation is involved in the light active neutrino contribution, a New Physics signal can be expected mainly from the $W_R-W_R$ channel. An interesting exception is the $W_L-W_R$ channel which can give a dominant contribution to the process if the right-handed neutrino spectrum is hierarchical with $M_1\lesssim$ MeV and $M_2,M_3\gtrsim$ GeV. We also discuss if a New Physics signal in neutrinoless double beta decay experiments is compatible with the existence of a successful Dark Matter candidate in the left-right symmetric models. It turns out that, although it is not a generic feature of the theory, it is still possible to accommodate such a signal with a KeV sterile neutrino as Dark matter.

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arXiv2014

Fermi Bubbles under Dark Matter Scrutiny Part II: Particle Physics Analysis

The analysis of the gamma-ray photons collected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope reveals, after removal of astrophysical background, the existence of an excess towards the Galactic center. This excess peaks around few GeV, and its origin is compatible with the gamma-ray flux originating from Dark Matter annihilation. In this work we take a closer look on this interpretation; we investigate which kind of Dark Matter, and which type of interactions with the Standard Model fields are able to reproduce the observed signal. The structure of the paper is twofold. In the first part, we follow an effective field theory approach considering both fermionic and scalar Dark Matter. The computation of the relic density, the constraint imposed from the null result of direct searches, and the reliability of the effective field theory description allow us to single out only two viable dim-6 operators in the case of fermionic Dark Matter. In the second part, we analyze some concrete models. In particular, we find that the scalar Higgs portal can provide a simple, concrete and realistic scenario able to explain the GeV excess under scrutiny.

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arXiv2013

Fermi Bubbles under Dark Matter Scrutiny. Part I: Astrophysical Analysis

The quest for Dark Matter signals in the gamma-ray sky is one of the most intriguing and exciting challenges in astrophysics. In this paper we perform the analysis of the energy spectrum of the \textit{Fermi bubbles} at different latitudes, making use of the gamma-ray data collected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. By exploring various setups for the full-sky analysis we achieve stable results in all the analyzed latitudes. At high latitude, $|b|=20^{\circ}-50^{\circ}$, the \textit{Fermi bubbles} energy spectrum can be reproduced by gamma-ray photons generated by inverse Compton scattering processes, assuming the existence of a population of high-energy electrons. At low latitude, $|b|=10^{\circ}-20^{\circ}$, the presence of a bump at $E_γ\sim 1-4$ GeV, reveals the existence of an extra component compatible with Dark Matter annihilation. Our best-fit candidate corresponds to annihilation into $b\bar{b}$ with mass $M_{\rm DM}= 61.8^{+6.9}_{-4.9}$ GeV and cross section $<σv> = 3.30^{+0.69}_{-0.49}\times 10^{-26}$ cm$^{3}$s$^{-1}$. In addition, using the energy spectrum of the \textit{Fermi bubbles}, we derive new conservative but stringent upper limits on the Dark Matter annihilation cross section.

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arXiv2013

On the Minimum Dark Matter Mass Testable by Neutrinos from the Sun

We discuss a limitation on extracting bounds on the scattering cross section of dark matter with nucleons, using neutrinos from the Sun. If the dark matter particle is sufficiently light (less than about 4 GeV), the effect of evaporation is not negligible and the capture process goes in equilibrium with the evaporation. In this regime, the flux of solar neutrinos of dark matter origin becomes independent of the scattering cross section and therefore no constraint can be placed on it. We find the minimum values of dark matter masses for which the scattering cross section on nucleons can be probed using neutrinos from the Sun. We also provide simple and accurate fitting functions for all the relevant processes of GeV-scale dark matter in the Sun.

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arXiv2013

What the top asymmetries tell us about single top production and Higgs decays

The top asymmetries measured at the Tevatron, and the discrepancy in the di-photon Higgs rate under investigation at the LHC represent two possible hints of physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). In this paper we address the possibility to explain and relate both these experimental anomalies with the help of an extra scalar doublet in addition to the SM particle spectrum. The connection is provided by the constraints that the electroweak precision tests impose on the oblique S and T parameters. As a result, considering the semi-leptonic single top production in the tW-channel at the LHC, our analysis predicts a bump in the invariant mass distribution of the two light jets.

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arXiv2012

Dark Matter From Weak Polyplets

The addition of new multiplets of fermions charged under the Standard Model gauge group is investigated, with the aim of identifying a possible dark matter candidate. These fermions are charged under $SU(2)\times U(1)$, and their quantum numbers are determined by requiring all new particles to obtain masses via Yukawa couplings and all triangle anomalies to cancel as in the Standard Model; more than one multiplet is required and we refer to such a set of these multiplets as a polyplet. For sufficiently large multiplets, the stability of the dark matter candidate is ensured by an accidental symmetry; for clarity, however, we introduce a model with a particularly simple polyplet structure and stabilize the dark matter by imposing a new discrete symmetry. We then explore the features of this model; constraints from colliders, electroweak precision measurements, the dark matter relic density, and direct detection experiments are considered. We find that the model can accommodate a viable dark matter candidate for large Higgs boson masses; for $m_H\sim 125$ GeV, a subdominant contribution to the dark matter relic density can be achieved.

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arXiv2012

The case for three-body decaying dark matter

Fermi-LAT has confirmed the excess in cosmic positron fraction observed by PAMELA, which could be explained by dark matter annihilating or decaying in the center of the galaxy. Most existing models postulate that the dark matter annihilates or decays into final states with two or four leptons, which would produce diffuse gamma ray emissions that are in tension with data measured by Fermi-LAT. We point out that the tension could be alleviated if the dark matter decays into three-body final states with a pair of leptons and a missing particle. Using the goldstino decay in a certain class of supersymmetric theories as a prime example, we demonstrate that simultaneous fits to the total e+ + e- and the fractional e+/e- fluxes from Fermi-LAT and PAMELA could be achieved for a 2 TeV parent particle and a 1 TeV missing particle, without being constrained by gamma-ray measurements. By studying different effective operators giving rise to the dark matter decay, we show that this feature is generic for three-body decaying dark matter containing a missing particle. Constraints on the hadronic decay widths from the cosmic anti-proton spectra are also discussed.

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arXiv2011

Constraining the (Low-Energy) Type-I Seesaw

The type-I seesaw Lagrangian yields a non-generic set of active-sterile oscillation parameters - the neutrino mass eigenvalues and the physical elements of the full mixing matrix are entwined. For this reason one is able to, in principle, test the model by performing enough measurements which are sensitive to neutrino masses and lepton mixing. We point out that for light enough right-handed neutrino masses - less than 10 eV - next-generation short-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments may be able to unambiguously rule out (or "rule in") the low energy seesaw as the Lagrangian that describes neutrino masses. These types of searches are already under consideration in order to address the many anomalies from accelerator neutrino experiments (LSND, MiniBooNe), reactor neutrino experiments (the "reactor anomaly") and others. In order to test the low-energy seesaw, it is crucial to explore different oscillation channels, including nu_e and nu_mu disappearance and nu_mu to nu_tau appearance.

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arXiv2011

Goldstini as the decaying dark matter

We consider a new scenario for supersymmetric decaying dark matter without R-parity violation in theories with goldstini, which arise if supersymmetry is broken independently by multiple sequestered sectors. The uneaten goldstino naturally has a long lifetime and decays into three-body final states including the gravitino, which escapes detection, and two visible particles. The goldstini low-energy effective interactions are derived, which can be non-universal and allow the dark matter to be leptophilic, in contrast to the case of a single sector supersymmetry breaking. In addition, the three-body decay with a missing particle gives a softer spectrum. Consequently, it is possible to fit both the positron excess observed by the PAMELA and the total e+ + e- measurements by the Fermi-LAT using universal couplings to all three lepton flavors or 100% branching fraction into electrons/positrons, both of which are disfavored in the conventional scenario of dark matter decays into two or four visible particles without missing energy.

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arXiv2010

Low-scale Leptogenesis and Dark Matter

The addition of gauge singlet fermions to the Standard Model Lagrangian renders the neutrinos massive and allows one to explain all that is experimentally known about neutrino masses and lepton mixing. At the same time, the gauge singlet fermion decays in the early universe produce a lepton asymmetry, which is converted to a baryon asymmetry via Spharelon processes (leptogenesis). On the other hand, the addition of a gauge singlet scalar to the Standard Model yields a thermal dark matter candidate through interactions between the Higgs boson and the gauge singlet scalar. By imposing a $Z_2$ symmetry on the gauge singlet scalar and one of the gauge singlet fermions, we can have viable dark matter candidates and new interactions coupling the $Z_2$-odd scalar to the $Z_2$-odd fermion, which can lower the leptogenesis scale (and the reheating temperature) to $\mathcal{O}$(TeV).

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arXiv2010

Parameterizing Majorana Neutrino Couplings in the Higgs Sector

Nonzero masses for the active neutrinos - regardless of their nature or origin - arise only after electroweak symmetry breaking. We discuss the parameterization of neutrino couplings to a Higgs sector consisting of one SU(2)_L scalar doublet and one SU(2)_L scalar triplet, and allow for right-handed neutrinos whose Majorana mass parameters arise from the vacuum expectation value of a Standard Model scalar singlet. If the neutrinos are Majorana fermions, all Yukawa couplings can be expressed as functions of the neutrino mass eigenvalues and a subset of the elements of the neutrino mixing matrix. In the mass basis, the Yukawa couplings are, in general, not diagonal. This is to be contrasted to the case of charged-fermions or Dirac neutrinos, where couplings to the Higgs-boson are diagonal in the mass basis and proportional only to the fermion masses. Nonetheless, all physically distinguishable parameters can be reached if all neutrino masses are constrained to be positive, all mixing angles constrained to lie in the first quadrant (theta in [0,pi/2]), and all Majorana phases to lie in the first two quadrants (phi in [0,pi]), as long as all Dirac phases vary within the entire unit circle (delta in [0,2pi}). We discuss several concrete examples and comment on the Casas-Ibarra parameterization for the neutrino Yukawa couplings in the case of the type-I Seesaw Lagrangian.

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arXiv2009

Pseudo-Dirac Neutrinos in the New Standard Model

The addition of gauge singlet fermions to the Standard Model Lagrangian renders the neutrinos massive and allows one to explain all that is experimentally known about neutrino masses and lepton mixing by varying the values of the Majorana mass parameters M for the gauge singlets and the neutrino Yukawa couplings. Here we explore the region of parameter space where M values are much smaller than the neutrino Dirac masses. In this region, neutrinos are pseudo-Dirac fermions. We find that current solar data constrain M values to be less than at least 1E-9 eV, and discuss the sensitivity of future experiments to tiny gauge singlet fermion masses. We also discuss a useful basis for analyzing pseudo-Dirac neutrino mixing effects. In particular, we identify a simple relationship between elements of M and the induced enlarged mixing matrix and new mass-squared differences. These allow one to directly relate bounds on the new mass-squared differences to bounds on the singlet fermion Majorana masses.

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