Dark Left-Right Gauge Model: SU(2)_R Phenomenology

In the recently proposed dark left-right gauge model of particle interactions, the left-handed fermion doublet $(\nu,e)_L$ is connected to its right-handed counterpart $(n,e)_R$ through a scalar bidoublet, but $\nu_L$ couples to $n_R$ only through $\phi_1^0$ which has no vacuum expectation value. The usual R parity, i.e. $R = (-)^{3B+L+2j}$, can be defined for this nonsupersymmetric model so that both $n$ and $\Phi_1$ are odd together with $W_R^\pm$. The lightest $n$ is thus a viable dark-matter candidate (scotino). Here we explore the phenomenology associated with the $SU(2)_R$ gauge group of this model, which allows it to appear at the TeV energy scale. The exciting possibility of $Z' \to 8$ charged leptons is discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Tri-bimaximal Neutrino Mixing and Quark Masses from a Discrete Flavour Symmetry

We build a supersymmetric model of quark and lepton masses based on the discrete flavour symmetry group T', the double covering of A_4. In the lepton sector our model is practically indistinguishable from recent models based on A_4 and, in particular, it predicts a nearly tri-bimaximal mixing, in good agreement with present data. In the quark sector a realistic pattern of masses and mixing angles is obtained by exploiting the doublet representations of T', not available in A_4. To this purpose, the flavour symmetry T' should be broken spontaneously along appropriate directions in flavour space. In this paper we fully discuss the related vacuum alignment problem, both at the leading order and by accounting for small effects coming from higher-order corrections. As a result we get the relations: \sqrt{m_d/m_s}\approx |V_{us}| and \sqrt{m_d/m_s}\approx |V_{td}/V_{ts}|.Comment: 27 pages, 1 figure; minor correction

Softly Broken A_4 Symmetry for Nearly Degenerate Neutrino Masses

The leptonic Higgs doublet model of neutrino masses is implemented with an A_4 discrete symmetry (the even permutation of 4 objects or equivalently the symmetry of the tetrahedron) which has 4 irreducible representations: 1, 1', 1'', and 3. The resulting spontaneous and soft breaking of A_4 provides a realistic model of charged-lepton masses as well as a nearly degenerate neutrino mass matrix. Phenomenological consequences at and below the TeV scale are discussed.Comment: 11 pages, no figur

CKM and Tri-bimaximal MNS Matrices in a SU(5) x (d)T Model

We propose a model based on SU(5) x {}^{(d)}T which successfully gives rise to near tri-bimaximal leptonic mixing as well as realistic CKM matrix elements for the quarks. The Georgi-Jarlskog relations for three generations are also obtained. Due to the {}^{(d)}T transformation property of the matter fields, the b-quark mass can be generated only when the {}^{(d)}T symmetry is broken, giving a dynamical origin for the hierarchy between m_{b} and m_{t}. There are only nine operators allowed in the Yukawa sector up to at least mass dimension seven due to an additional Z_{12} x Z'_{12} symmetry, which also forbids, up to some high orders, operators that lead to proton decay. The resulting model has a total of nine parameters in the charged fermion and neutrino sectors, and hence is very predictive. In addition to the prediction for \theta_{13} \simeq \theta_{c}/3 \sqrt{2}, the model gives rise to a sum rule, \tan^{2}\theta_{\odot} \simeq \tan^{2} \theta_{\odot, \mathrm{TBM}} - {1/2} \theta_{c} \cos\beta, which is a consequence of the Georgi-Jarlskog relations in the quark sector. This deviation could account for the difference between the experimental best fit value for the solar mixing angle and the value predicted by the tri-bimaximal mixing matrix.Comment: 11 pages; v2: additional references added; minor modifications made; conclusion unchanged; v3: version to appear in Phys. Lett.

Double Threefold Degeneracies for Active and Sterile Neutrinos

We explore the possibility that the 3 active (doublet) neutrinos have nearly degenerate masses which are split only by the usual seesaw mechanism from 3 sterile (singlet) neutrinos in the presence of a softly broken $A_4$ symmetry. We take the unconventional view that the sterile neutrinos may be light, i.e. less than 1 keV, and discuss some very interesting and novel phenomenology, including a connection between the LSND neutrino data and solar neutrino oscillations.Comment: 8 pages, no figur

Fermion Masses and Mixings in a S4 Based Model

It has been recently claimed that the symmetry group S4 yields to the Tri-bimaximal neutrino mixing in a "natural" way from the group theory point of view. Approving of this feature as an indication, we build a supersymmetric model of lepton and quark masses based on this family symmetry group. In the lepton sector, a correct mass hierarchy among the charged leptons is achieved together to a neutrino mass matrix which can be diagonalized by the Tri-bimaximal pattern. Our model results to be phenomenologically unequivalent with respect to other proposals based on different flavour groups but still predicting the Tri-bimaximal mixing. In the quark sector a realistic pattern for masses and mixing angles is obtained. The flavour structures of the mass matrices in both the sectors come from the spontaneously symmetry breaking of S4, due to several scalar fields, which get non-zero vacuum expectation values. A specific vacuum alignment is required and it is shown to be a natural results of the minimization of the scalar potential and, moreover, to be stable under the corrections from the higher order terms.Comment: 25 pages, LaTeX; added references and minor correctio

The Double Cover of the Icosahedral Symmetry Group and Quark Mass Textures

We investigate the idea that the double cover of the rotational icosahedral symmetry group is the family symmetry group in the quark sector. The icosahedral (A5) group was previously proposed as a viable family symmetry group for the leptons. To incorporate the quarks, it is highly advantageous to extend the group to its double cover, as in the case of tetrahedral (A4) symmetry. We provide the basic group theoretical tools for flavor model-building based on the binary icosahedral group I' and construct a model of the quark masses and mixings that yields many of the successful predictions of the well-known U(2) quark texture models.Comment: 10 pages, references added, typos in up quark mass matrix correcte

Tribimaximal Neutrino Mixing from A_4 Replication

Motivated by dimensional deconstruction, we propose a model of tribimaximal neutrino mixing based on A_4 x A_4 symmetry. In this model, the two triplet symmetry-breaking fields of conventional A_4 models are taken to transform under different A_4 group factors, but are not distinguished by any other quantum numbers. An additional bi-triplet flavon field breaks A_4 x A_4 to its diagonal subgroup. If the bi-triplet transforms under an additional Z_3 symmetry, we show that one can construct a general, renormalizable superpotential that yields the desired pattern of symmetry breaking. We identify the features that this model has in common with a deconstructed 5D theory in which A_4 is a subgroup of a continuous gauged flavor symmetry in the bulk.Comment: 13 pages LaTeX (v2: discussion added

An A4 flavor model for quarks and leptons in warped geometry

We propose a spontaneous A4 flavor symmetry breaking scheme implemented in a warped extra dimensional setup to explain the observed pattern of quark and lepton masses and mixings. The main advantages of this choice are the explanation of fermion mass hierarchies by wave function overlaps, the emergence of tribimaximal neutrino mixing and zero quark mixing at the leading order and the absence of tree-level gauge mediated flavor violations. Quark mixing is induced by the presence of bulk flavons, which allow for cross-brane interactions and a cross-talk between the quark and neutrino sectors, realizing the spontaneous symmetry breaking pattern A4 --> nothing first proposed in [X.G.\,He, Y.Y.\,Keum, R.R.\,Volkas, JHEP{0604}, 039 (2006)]. We show that the observed quark mixing pattern can be explained in a rather economical way, including the CP violating phase, with leading order cross-interactions, while the observed difference between the smallest CKM entries V_{ub} and V_{td} must arise from higher order corrections. We briefly discuss bounds on the Kaluza-Klein scale implied by flavor changing neutral current processes in our model and show that the residual little CP problem is milder than in flavor anarchic models.Comment: 34 pages, 2 figures; version published in JHE