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At least 19 records

Leptogenesis in the Neutrino Option

We examine the compatibility between the Neutrino Option, in which the electroweak scale is generated by PeV mass type I seesaw Majorana neutrinos, and leptogenesis. We find the Neutrino Option is consistent with resonant leptogenesis. Working within the minimal seesaw scenario with two heavy Majorana neutrinos N 1, 2 , which form a pseudo-Dirac pair, we explore the viable parameter space. We find that the Neutrino Option and successful leptogenesis are compatible in the cases of a neutrino mass spectrum with normal (inverted) ordering for 1.2 × 10 6 < M (GeV) < 8.8 × 10 6 (2.4 × 10 6 < M (GeV) < 7.4 × 10 6 ), with M = ( M 1 + M 2 )/2 and M 1, 2 the masses of N 1, 2 . Successful leptogenesis requires that ΔM/M ≡ ( M 2 - M 1 )/ M ~10 -8 . We further show that leptogenesis can produce the baryon asymmetry of the Universe within the Neutrino Option scenario when the requisite CP violation in leptogenesis is provided exclusively by the Dirac or Majorana low energy CP violation phases of the PMNS matrix.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Leptogenesis in parity solutions to the strong CP problem and Standard Model parameters

We study the simplest theories with exact spacetime parity that solve the strong CP problem and successfully generate the cosmological baryon asymmetry via decays of right-handed neutrinos. Lower bounds are derived for the masses of the right-handed neutrinos and for the scale of spontaneous parity breaking, v R . For generic thermal leptogenesis, v R ≳ 10 12 GeV, unless the small observed neutrino masses arise from fine-tuning. We compute v R in terms of the top quark mass, the QCD coupling, and the Higgs boson mass and find this bound is consistent with current data at 1σ. Future precision measurements of these parameters may provide support for the theory or, if v R is determined to be below 10 12 GeV, force modifications. However, modified cosmologies do not easily allow reductions in v R — no reduction is possible if leptogenesis occurs in the collisions of domain walls formed at parity breaking, and at most a factor 10 reduction is possible with non-thermal leptogenesis. Standard Model parameters that yield low values for v R can only be accommodated by having a high degree of degeneracy among the right-handed neutrinos involved in leptogenesis. If future precision measurements determine v R to be above 10 12 GeV, it is likely that higher-dimensional operators of the theory will yield a neutron electric dipole moment accessible to ongoing experiments. This is especially true in a simple UV completion of the neutrino sector, involving gauge singlet fermions, where the bound from successful leptogenesis is strengthened to v R ≳ 10 13 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Leptogenesis from low energy CP violation

We revisit the possibility of producing the observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe via thermal leptogenesis, where CP violation comes exclusively from the low-energy phases of the neutrino mixing matrix. We demonstrate the viability of thermal flavoured leptogenesis across seven orders of magnitude (10$^{6}$< T (GeV) < 10$^{13}$), using modern numerical machinery, where the lower bound can be reached only if flavour effects are taken into account and its value depends on the allowed degree of cancellation between the tree-level and radiative contributions to the light neutrino masses. At very high scales (T >>10$^{12}$ GeV), we clarify that thermal leptogenesis is sensitive to the low-energy phases, in contradiction with what is usually claimed in the literature. In particular we demonstrate that Majorana-phase leptogenesis is in general viable while Dirac-phase leptogenesis requires some level of fine-tuning.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

CP violating effects in heavy neutrino oscillations: implications for colliders and leptogenesis

Two of the important implications of the seesaw mechanism are: (i) a simple way to understand the small neutrino masses, and (ii) the origin of matter-anti-matter asymmetry in the universe via the leptogenesis mechanism. For TeV-scale seesaw models, successful leptogenesis requires that the right-handed neutrinos (RHNs) must be quasidegenerate and if they have CP violating phases, they also contribute to the CP asymmetry. We investigate this in the TeV-scale left-right models for seesaw and point out a way to probe the quasi-degeneracy possibility with CP violating mixings for RHNs in hadron colliders using simple observables constructed out of same-sign dilepton charge asymmetry (SSCA). In particular, we isolate the parameter regions of the model, where the viability of leptogenesis can be tested using the SSCA at the Large Hadron Collider, as well as future 27 TeV and 100 TeV hadron colliders. We also independently confirm an earlier result that there is a generic lower bound on the WR mass of about 10 TeV for leptogenesis to work.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Affleck-Dine leptogenesis with varying Peccei-Quinn scale

The Affleck-Dine leptogenesis scenario along the LH u flat direction is recon- sidered. It is known that successful Affleck-Dine leptogenesis requires that the lightest neutrino mass is extremely small. This situation can be significantly relaxed if the neutrino mass in the early universe is different from the present one. We consider a supersymmetric Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky (DFSZ) type model, which provides a solution to the strong CP problem and generates a SUSY μ-term and right-handed neutrino masses. If the PQ scale during lepton number generation is much larger than the present value, leptogenesis is very efficient so that enough baryon number can be generated without introducing a hierarchically small neutrino mass. The final baryon asymmetry is related to the μ-term, and hence linked to the level of electroweak fine-tuning. We also show the PQ breaking scalar dynamics that keeps a large PQ breaking scale during inflation and lepton number generation. The μ-term generating superpotential plays an important role for preserving the lepton asymmetry during saxion oscillation. In this scenario, the axion isocurvature perturbation is naturally suppressed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Leptogenesis in automatic Nelson-Barr models

In this study, we numerically show that automatic Nelson-Barr models with new chiral fermions can simultaneously solve the strong CP problem and generate the observed baryon asymmetry via high-scale leptogenesis. In these models, all CP violation arises from a single spontaneous symmetry-breaking scale, linking the origin of quark and lepton CP phases. Using conservative assumptions and minimal dynamics, we identify a viable parameter window where successful leptogenesis occurs without spoiling the quality of the strong CP solution. Models with vector-like fermions face tension within this leptogenesis scenario. A key prediction is a correlation between the baryon asymmetry and the induced QCD vacuum angle shift. Remarkably, we find that the majority of the available parameter space is within reach of current and future nucleon EDM experiments.

CP violation↗

Observing leptogenesis in action with gravitational waves

Leptogenesis is arguably the best motivated theory of baryogenesis given the discovery of finite neutrino masses, yet its experimental test is elusive given its high energy scale. We discuss gravitational waves (GWs) produced via graviton bremsstrahlung in right-handed neutrino decays during leptogenesis. The presence of right-handed neutrinos in the early universe can lead to a period of early matter domination. In this context, the resultant GW spectrum scales quadratically with the right-handed neutrino mass, while its peak frequency scales inversely with the Yukawa coupling. Detecting such a spectrum would provide strong evidence for leptogenesis and the existence of heavy right-handed neutrinos. We also discuss how the GW spectrum emitted from the thermal plasma is altered by an era of early matter domination. We show that it can mimic the effects of additional relativistic degrees of freedom and a higher reheating temperature, and that information from the graviton bremsstrahlung GW spectrum can break this degeneracy.

baryon asymmetry↗

Higgs inflation, vacuum stability, and leptogenesis

We consider the introduction of a complex scalar field carrying a global lepton number charge to the Standard Model and the Higgs inflation framework. The conditions are investigated under which this model can simultaneously ensure Higgs vacuum stability up to the Planck scale, successful inflation, non-thermal Leptogenesis via the pendulum mechanism, and light neutrino masses. These can be simultaneously achieved when the scalar lepton is minimally coupled to gravity, that is, when standard Higgs inflation and reheating proceed without the interference of the additional scalar degrees of freedom. If the scalar lepton also has a non-minimal coupling to gravity, a multi-field inflation scenario is induced, with interesting interplay between the successful inflation constraints and those from vacuum stability and Leptogenesis. The parameter region that can simultaneously achieve the above goals is explored.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Sterile neutrino dark matter and leptogenesis in Left-Right Higgs Parity

The standard model Higgs quartic coupling vanishes at (10 9 – 10 13 ) GeV. We study SU(2) L × SU(2) R × U(1) B–L theories that incorporate the Higgs Parity mechanism, where this becomes the scale of Left-Right symmetry breaking, $v_R$. Furthermore, these theories solve the strong CP problem and predict three right-handed neutrinos. We introduce cosmologies where SU(2) R × U(1) B–L gauge interactions produce right-handed neutrinos via the freeze-out or freeze-in mechanisms. In both cases, we find the parameter space where the lightest right-handed neutrino is dark matter and the decay of a heavier one creates the baryon asymmetry of the universe via leptogenesis. A theory of flavor is constructed that naturally accounts for the lightness and stability of the right-handed neutrino dark matter, while maintaining sufficient baryon asymmetry. The dark matter abundance and successful natural leptogenesis require vR to be in the range (10 10 – 10 13 ) GeV for freeze-out, in remarkable agreement with the scale where the Higgs quartic coupling vanishes, whereas freeze-in requires $v_R$ ≳ 109 GeV. The allowed parameter space can be probed by the warmness of dark matter, precise determinations of the top quark mass and QCD coupling by future colliders and lattice computations, and measurement of the neutrino mass hierarchy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Stability, reheating, and leptogenesis

In a minimal model of leptogenesis, the observed baryon asymmetry is realized after high-scale reheating into the lightest sterile neutrino. We consider constraints on this scenario from the stability of the Higgs vacuum during pre-heating. Depending on the reheat temperature, the lightest sterile neutrino may be in or out of thermal equilibrium at production. Demanding stability of the Higgs vacuum during pre-heating, we find strong constraints which primarily impact the parameter space of thermal leptogenesis.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Leptogenesis, radiative neutrino masses and inert Higgs triplet dark matter

We extend the standard model by three types of inert fields including Majorana fermion singlets/triplets, real Higgs singlets/triplets and leptonic Higgs doublets. In the presence of a softly broken lepton number and an exactly conserved Z{sub 2} discrete symmetry, these inert fields together can mediate a one-loop diagram for a Majorana neutrino mass generation. The heavier inert fields can decay to realize a successful leptogenesis while the lightest inert field can provide a stable dark matter candidate. As an example, we demonstrate the leptogenesis by the inert Higgs doublet decays. We also perform a systematic study on the inert Higgs triplet dark matter scenario where the interference between the gauge and Higgs portal interactions can significantly affect the dark matter properties.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Unifying leptogenesis, dark matter and high-energy neutrinos with right-handed neutrino mixing via Higgs portal

We revisit a model in which neutrino masses and mixing are described by a two right-handed (RH) neutrino seesaw scenario, implying a strictly hierarchical light neutrino spectrum. A third decoupled RH neutrino, N{sub DM} with mass M{sub DM}, plays the role of cold dark matter (DM) and is produced by the mixing with a source RH neutrino, N{sub S} with mass M{sub S}, induced by Higgs portal interactions. The same interactions are also responsible for N{sub DM} decays. We discuss in detail the constraints coming from DM abundance and stability conditions showing that in the hierarchical case, for M{sub DM}≫M{sub S}, there is an allowed window on M{sub DM} values necessarily implying a contribution, from DM decays, to the high-energy neutrino flux recently detected by IceCube. We also show how the model can explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe via leptogenesis in the quasi-degenerate limit. In this case, the DM mass should be within the range 300 GeV ≲M{sub S}<M{sub DM}≲ 10 PeV. We discuss the specific properties of this high-energy neutrino flux and show the predicted event spectrum for two exemplary cases. Although DM decays, with a relatively hard spectrum, cannot account for all the IceCube high-energy data, we illustrate how this extra source of high-energy neutrinos could reasonably explain some potential features in the observed spectrum. In this way, this represents a unified scenario for leptogenesis and DM that could be tested during the next years with more high-energy neutrino events.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Common origin of neutrino mass, dark matter and Dirac leptogenesis

We study the possibility of generating tiny Dirac neutrino masses at one loop level through the scotogenic mechanism such that one of the particles going inside the loop can be a stable cold dark matter (DM) candidate. Majorana mass terms of singlet fermions as well as tree level Dirac neutrino masses are prevented by incorporating the presence of additional discrete symmetries in a minimal fashion, which also guarantee the stability of the dark matter candidate. Due to the absence of total lepton number violation, the observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe is generated through the mechanism of Dirac leptogenesis where an equal and opposite amount of leptonic asymmetry is generated in the left and right handed sectors which are prevented from equilibration due to tiny Dirac Yukawa couplings. Dark matter relic abundance is generated through its usual freeze-out at a temperature much below the scale of leptogenesis. We constrain the relevant parameter space from neutrino mass, baryon asymmetry, Planck bound on dark matter relic abundance, and latest LUX bound on spin independent DM-nucleon scattering cross section. We also discuss the charged lepton flavour violation (μ → e γ) and electric dipole moment of electron in this model in the light of the latest experimental data and constrain the parameter space of the model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Baryon asymmetry via leptogenesis in a neutrino mass model with complex scaling

Baryogenesis via leptogenesis is investigated in a specific model of light neutrino masses and mixing angles. The latter was proposed on the basis of an assumed complex-extended scaling property of the neutrino Majorana mass matrix M {sub ν}, derived with a type-1 seesaw from a Dirac mass matrix m {sub D} and a heavy singlet neutrino Majorana mass matrix M {sub R} . One of its important features, highlighted here, is that there is a common source of the origin of a nonzero θ{sub 13} and the CP violating lepton asymmetry through the imaginary part of m {sub D} . The model predicted CP violation to be maximal for the Dirac type and vanishing for the Majorana type. We assume strongly hierarchical mass eigenvalues for M {sub R} . The leptonic CP asymmetry parameter ε{sup α}{sub 1} mm with lepton flavor α, originating from the decays of the lightest of the heavy neutrinos N {sub 1} (of mass M {sub 1}) at a temperature T ∼ M {sub 1}, is what matters here with the lepton asymmetries, originating from the decays of N {sub 2,3}, being washed out. The light leptonic and heavy neutrino number densities (normalized to the entropy density) are evolved via Boltzmann equations down to electroweak temperatures to yield a baryon asymmetry through sphaleronic transitions. The effects of flavored vs. unflavored leptogenesis in the three mass regimes (1) M {sub 1} < 10{sup 9} GeV, (2) 10{sup 9} GeV < M {sub 1} < 10{sup 12} GeV and (3) M {sub 1} > 10{sup 12} GeV are numerically worked out for both a normal and an inverted mass ordering of the light neutrinos. Corresponding results on the baryon asymmetry of the universe are obtained, displayed and discussed. For values close to the best-fit points of the input neutrino mass and mixing parameters, obtained from neutrino oscillation experiments, successful baryogenesis is achieved for the mass regime (2) and a normal mass ordering of the light neutrinos with a nonzero θ{sub 13} playing a crucial role. However, the other possibility of an inverted mass ordering for the same mass regime, though disfavored, cannot be excluded. A discussion is also given on the sensitivity of our result to the masses M {sub 2,3} of the heavier neutrinos N {sub 2,3}.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

TeV-scale lepton number violation: Connecting leptogenesis, neutrinoless double beta decay, and colliders

In the context of TeV-scale lepton number violating (LNV) interactions, we illustrate the interplay between leptogenesis, neutrinoless double beta ( 0 ν β β ) decay, and LNV searches at proton-proton colliders. Using a concrete model for illustration, we overcome the limitations of previous effective field theory analyses and are able to identify the parameter space where standard thermal leptogenesis is rendered unviable due to washout processes. Moreover, we show how 0 ν β β decay and p p collisions provide complementary probes. We find that the new particle spectrum can have a decisive impact on the relative sensitivity of these two probes. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

ULYSSES: Universal LeptogeneSiS Equation Solver

ULYSSES is a python package that calculates the baryon asymmetry produced from leptogenesis in the context of a type-I seesaw mechanism. The code solves the semi-classical Boltzmann equations for points in the model parameter space as specified by the user. We provide a selection of predefined Boltzmann equations as well as a plugin mechanism for externally provided models of leptogenesis. Furthermore, the ULYSSES code provides tools for multi-dimensional parameter space exploration. The emphasis of the code is on user flexibility and rapid evaluation. It is publicly available at https://github.com/earlyuniverse/ulysses

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗