This is an incomplete survey of some non-Abelian discrete symmetries which have been used recently in attempts to understand the flavor structure of leptons and quarks. To support such symmetries, new scalar particles are required. In some models, they are very massive, in which case there may not be much of a trace of their existence at the TeV scale. In other models, they are themselves at the TeV scale, in which case there is a reasonable chance for them to be revealed at the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) at CERN.
We discuss the idea of approximate flavor symmetries. Relations between approximate flavor symmetries and natural flavor conservation and democracy models is explored. Implications for neutrino physics are also discussed.
We investigate the options for imposing flavor symmetries on a minimal renormalizable non-supersymmetric $\mathrm{SU}(5)$ grand unified theory, without introducing additional flavor-related fields. Such symmetries reduce the number of free parameters in the model and therefore lead to more predictive models. We consider the Yukawa sector of the Lagrangian, and search for all possible flavor symmetries. As a result, we find 25 distinct realistic flavor symmetry cases, with $\mathbb{Z}_2$, $\mathbb{Z}_3$, $\mathbb{Z}_4$, and $\mathrm{U}(1)$ symmetries, and no non-Abelian cases.
We have studied the large mixing angle MSW solution for the solar neutrinos in the non-abelian flavor symmetry. We predict the MNS mixing matrix taking account of the symmetry breakings.
In this paper we study flavor violation in supersymmetric models with gauged flavor symmetries. There are several sources of flavor violation in these theories. The dominant flavor violation is the tree-level $D$-term contribution to scalar masses generated by flavor symmetry breaking. We present a new approach for suppressing this phenomenologically dangerous effects by separating the flavor-breaking sector from supersymmetry-breaking one. The separation can be achieved in geometrical setups or in a dynamical way. We also point out that radiative corrections from the gauginos of gauged flavor…
We classify explicitly all the possible generalized CP (GCP) symmetries that are definable in $Δ(27)$ flavor models. In total, only 12 transformations are possible. We also show interesting consequences of considering some of them as residual symmetries of the neutrino sector.
For a large set of flavor symmetries, the lowest-dimensional baryon- or lepton-number violating operators in the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) with flavor symmetry are of mass dimension 9. As a consequence, baryon- and lepton-number violating processes are further suppressed with the introduction of flavor symmetries, e.g., the allowed scale associated with proton decay is typically lowered to $10^5$ GeV, which is significantly lower than the GUT scale. To illustrate these features, we discuss Minimal Flavor Violation for the Standard Model augmented by sterile neutrinos.
Modular flavor symmetries provide us with a new, promising approach to the flavor problem. However, in their original formulation the kinetic terms of the standard model fields do not have a preferred form, thus introducing additional parameters, which limit the predictive power of this scheme. In this work, we introduce the scheme of quasi-eclectic flavor symmetries as a simple fix. These symmetries are the direct product of a modular and a traditional flavor symmetry, which are spontaneously broken to a diagonal modular flavor subgroup. This allows us to construct a version of Feruglio's mod…
Recent atmospheric neutrino data at Super-Kamiokande suggest the large flavor mixing of neutrinos. Models for the lepton mass matrix, which give the near-maximal flavor mixing, are discussed in the three family model. Especially, details of the models with the $S_3$ or O(3) flavor symmetry are studied.
We discuss the possibility of obtaining a non-abelian discrete flavor symmetry from an underlying continuous, possibly gauged, flavor symmetry SU(2) or SU(3) through spontaneous symmetry breaking. We consider all possible cases, where the continuous symmetry is broken by small representations. "Small" representations are these which couple at leading order to the Standard Model fermions transforming as two- or three-dimensional representations of the flavor group. We find that, given this limited representation content, the only non-abelian discrete group which can arise as a residual symmetry…
In [1] it was shown how the flavor symmetry A4 (or S4) can arise if the three fermion generations are taken to live on the fixed points of a specific 2-dimensional orbifold. The flavor symmetry is a remnant of the 6-dimensional Poincare symmetry, after it is broken down to the 4-dimensional Poincare symmetry through compactification via orbifolding. This raises the question if there are further non-abelian discrete symmetries that can arise in a similar setup. To this end, we generalize the discussion by considering all possible 2-dimensional orbifolds and the flavor symmetries that arise from…
We study the evolution of fermion mass matrices considering the hypothesis of approximate flavor symmetries (AFS) in the Standard Model and a two-Higgs-doublet model. We find that the hierarchical structure is not significantly altered by the running, hence the assumption of AFS is entirely compatible with a grand unification scenario.
Recent progress is reviewed regarding the application of the non-Abelian symmetries S_3, D_4, and A_4 to the understanding of family structure in leptons and quarks.
In models with abelian flavor symmetry the small mixing angles and mass ratios of quarks and leptons are typically given by powers of small parameters characterizing the spontaneous breaking of flavor symmetry by "flavon" fields. If the scale of the breaking of flavor symmetry is near the weak scale, flavon exchange can lead to interesting flavor-violating and CP violating effects. These are studied. It is found that d_e, mu -> e + gamma, and mu-e conversion on nuclei can be near present limits. For significant range of parameters mu-e conversion can be the most sensitive way to look for such …
The presence of flavor symmetries in the lepton sector may have several consequences for the generation of the baryon asymmetry of the Universe via leptogenesis. We review the mechanism in general type-I, type-II and type-III seesaw models. We then turn to the discussion of the cases when the asymmetry is generated in the context of seesaw models extended with flavor symmetries, before or after flavor symmetry breaking. Finally we explain how the interplay between type-I and type-II seesaws can (or not) lead to viable models for leptogenesis even when there is an exact mixing pattern enforced …
We investigate origins of predictive one-zero neutrino mass textures in a systematic way. Here we search Abelian continuous(discrete) global symmetries, and non-Abelian discrete symmetries, and show how to realize these neutrino masses. Then we propose a concrete model involving a dark matter candidate and an extra gauge boson, and show their phenomenologies.
We review the application of non abelian discrete groups to the theory of neutrino masses and mixing, which is strongly suggested by the agreement of the Tri-Bimaximal mixing pattern with experiment. After summarizing the motivation and the formalism, we discuss specific models, based on A4, S4 and other finite groups, and their phenomenological implications, including lepton flavor violating processes, leptogenesis and the extension to quarks. In alternative to Tri-Bimaximal mixing the application of discrete flavor symmetries to quark-lepton complementarity and Bimaximal Mixing is also consi…
A no-go theorem in flavor symmetries is reviewed. The theorem asserts that we cannot bring any flavor symmetry into mass matrix model in which number of Higgs scalars is, at most, one for each sector (e.g. H_u and H_d for up- and down-quark sectors, respectively). Such the strong constraint comes from the SU(2)_L symmetry. Possible three options to evade the theorem are discussed.
Generically, the asymmetric interactions in asymmetric dark matter (ADM) models lead to decaying DM. We show that, for ADM that carries nonzero baryon number, the continuous flavor symmetries that generate the flavor structure in the quark sector also imply a looser lower bound on the mass scale of the asymmetric mediators between the dark and visible sectors. The mediators for $B=2$ ADM that can produce a signal in the future indirect dark matter searches can thus also be searched for at the LHC. For two examples of the mediator models, with either the MFV or Froggatt-Nielsen flavor breaking …
After a brief introduction to what are the basic flavor questions to be addressed, I introduce the underlying ideas of horizontal symmetries, with group $G_H$. For the purposes of specific model building, it is useful to classify models according to the scale at which $G_H$ is broken. I consider the three cases: below $m_t$; somewhat above $m_t$; and at $M_{GUT}$. After a discussion of the shadow sector in the $E_6 \times E_8'$ superstring, there is a summary.
We discuss non-Abelian discrete R symmetries which might have some conceivable relevance for model building. The focus is on settings with N=1 supersymmetry, where the superspace coordinate transforms in a one-dimensional representation of the non-Abelian discrete symmetry group. We derive anomaly constraints for such symmetries and find that novel patterns of Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation emerge. In addition we show that perfect groups, also in the non-R case, are always anomaly-free. An important property of models with non-Abelian discrete R symmetries is that superpartners come in dif…
We investigate flavored gauge mediation models in which the Higgs and messenger doublets are embedded in multiplets of the discrete non-Abelian symmetry S3. In these theories, the S3 symmetry correlates the flavor structure of the quark and lepton Yukawa couplings with the structure of the messenger Yukawa couplings that contribute to the soft supersymmetry breaking mass parameters. We provide a systematic exploration of possible scenarios within this framework that can accommodate hierarchical quark and charged lepton masses, and examine the resulting phenomenological implications in each cas…
Motivated by the Xenon1T excess in electron-recoil measurements, we investigate the prospects of probing axion-like particles (ALP) in lepton flavor violation experiments. In particular, we identify such ALP as a pseudo-Goldstone from the spontaneous breaking of the flavor symmetries that explain the mixing structure of the Standard Model leptons. We present the case of the flavor symmetries being a non-Abelian U(2) and the ALP originating from its U(1) subgroup, which is anomaly-free with the Standard Model group. We build two explicit realistic examples that reproduce leptonic masses and mix…
We discuss neutrino mass and mixing models based on discrete flavor symmetries. These models can include a variety of new interactions and non-standard particles such as sterile neutrinos, scalar Higgs singlets and multiplets. We point at connections of the models with leptogenesis and dark matter and the ways to detect the corresponding non-standard particles at intensity and energy frontier experiments.
Evidences of a discrete symmetry behind the pattern of lepton mixing are analyzed. The program of "symmetry building" is outlined. Generic features and problems of realization of this program in consistent gauge models are formulated. The key issues include the flavor symmetry breaking, connection of mixing and masses, {\it ad hoc} prescription of flavor charges, "missing" representations, existence of new particles, possible accidental character of the TBM mixing. Various ways are considered to extend the leptonic symmetries to the quark sector and to reconcile them with Grand Unification. In…
We present a framework of underlying SU(3) x SU(3) family symmetries consistent with Pati-Salam unification and discuss advantages that can justify introducing multiple non-Abelian factors. Advantages include improved vacuum alignment and increased predictivity. We explore in this framework deviations from tri-bi-maximal neutrinos, such as relatively large theta13.
It is shown that the hierarchical structure of the quark mass terms in the standard model suggests a new description of the flavor mixing. The latter is primarily a heavy quark mixing involving the t and b quarks, followed by a mixing exclusively in the u-channel or the d-channel. The complex phase describing CP violation arises only in the light quark sector. The Cabibbo angle is not a basic parameter, but results as a superposition of both the u-channel and d-channel mixing terms. The new description has a number of significant advantages in comparison with all descriptions previously used. …
We study the impact of a set of horizontal symmetries on the requirements for producing the baryon asymmetry of the universe via leptogenesis. We find that Abelian horizontal symmetries lead to a simple description of the parameters describing leptogenesis in terms of the small expansion parameter that arises from spontaneous symmetry breaking. If the family symmetry is made discrete, then an enhancement in the amount of leptogenesis can result.
We perform a model-independent analysis of the possible residual Klein and generalized CP symmetries associated with arbitrary lepton mixing angles in the case that there are three light Majorana neutrino species. This approach emphasizes the unique role of the Majorana phases and provides a useful framework in which to discuss the origin of the Dirac CP phase in scenarios with spontaneously broken flavor and generalized CP symmetries. The method is shown to reproduce known examples in the literature based on tribimaximal and bitrimaximal mixing patterns, and is used to investigate these issue…
If the hierarchy of quark masses comes out of simultaneous dynamical chiral and flavor symmetry breakings, it is inevitably accompanied by the flavor mixing. Therefore, these phenomena, independent in the standard model and in many of its generalizations, become related since they appear out of the same dynamics. The features of that high energy dynamics may be investigated via accordance with observed mass hierarchy and mixing.
In models with flavor symmetries in the leptonic sector leptogenesis can take place in a very different way compared to the standard leptogenesis scenario. We study the generation of a $B-L$ asymmetry in these kind of models in the flavor symmetric phase pointing out that successful leptogenesis requires (i) the right-handed neutrinos to lie in different representations of the flavor group; (ii) the flavons to be lighter at least that one of the right-handed neutrino representations. When these conditions are satisfied leptogenesis proceeds due to new contributions to the CP violating asymmetr…
When the standard model is extended with right-handed neutrinos the symmetries of the resulting Lagrangian are enlarged with a new global U(1)R Abelian factor. In the context of minimal seesaw models we analyze the implications of a slightly broken U(1)R symmetry on charged lepton flavor violating decays. We find, depending on the R-charge assignments, models where charged lepton flavor violating rates can be within measurable ranges. In particular, we show that in the resulting models due to the structure of the light neutrino mass matrix muon flavor violating decays are entirely determined b…
We investigate the phenomenology of flavored dark matter (DM). DM stability is guaranteed by an accidental ${\mathcal Z}_3$ symmetry, a subgroup of the standard model (SM) flavor group that is not broken by the SM Yukawa interactions. We consider an explicit realization where the quark part of the SM flavor group is fully gauged. If the dominant interactions between DM and visible sector are through flavor gauge bosons, as we show for Dirac fermion flavored DM, then the DM mass is bounded between roughly $0.5$ TeV and $5$ TeV if the DM multiplet mass is split only radiatively. In general, howe…
We propose a theory of flavour based on abelian horizontal gauge symmetries and modular invariances. We construct explicit supergravity models where the scale of the horizontal $U(1)$ symmetry breaking is fixed by the Green-Schwarz mechanism for anomaly cancellation. The supersymmetric spectrum is obtained in terms of the $U(1)$ charges which are determined by the Yukawa matrices.
I discuss different theories of leptonic flavor and their capability of describing the features of the lepton sector, namely charged lepton masses, neutrino masses, lepton mixing angles and leptonic (low and high energy) CP phases. In particular, I show examples of theories with an abelian flavor symmetry G_f, with a non-abelian G_f as well as theories with non-abelian G_f and CP.
In a class of supersymmetric flavor models predictions are based on residual symmetries of some subsectors of the theory such as those of the charged leptons and neutrinos. However, the vacuum expectation values of the so-called flavon fields generally modify the Kähler potential of the setting, thus changing the predictions. We derive simple analytic formulae that allow us to understand the impact of these corrections on the predictions for the masses and mixing parameters. Furthermore, we discuss the effects on the vacuum alignment and on flavor changing neutral currents. Our results can als…
We present a class of models of flavor that rely on the use of flavor symmetries and the Froggart-Nielsen mechanism in extra dimensions. The particle content is that of the standard model plus an additional flavon field; all the fields propagate in universal extra dimensions and the flavor scale is associated with the cutoff of the theory, which in 5D is $\sim 10$ TeV. The Yukawa matrices are generated by higher dimension operators involving flavon fields, whose vacuum expectation values break the flavor symmetry. We apply this framework and present a specific 5D model based on a discrete loca…
It is shown that using non-abelian horizontal gauge symmetry and anomalous U(1)_A symmetry in grand unified theories (GUTs), realistic quark and lepton mass matrices including large neutrino mixings can be obtained, while the differences among the scalar fermion masses are sufficiently small for suppression of various flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) processes, especially in E_6 GUT. Combining the Higgs sector, in which doublet-triplet splitting is realized, a complete E_6\times SU(3)_H GUT, in which three generations are unified into a single multiplet, Psi(27,3), is obtained.
We analyze a minimal flavored gauge mediation model in which the electroweak Higgs and messenger doublets are embedded in multiplets of a discrete non-Abelian symmetry. In this scenario, the minimal Higgs-messenger sector that is consistent with the 125 GeV Higgs mass has two vectorlike pairs of messenger fields. This scenario is obtained in a specific limit of the superpotential interactions of the Higgs-messenger fields and the matter fields. Due to the structure of the messenger-matter Yukawa couplings in this limit, sizable stop mixing and flavor-diagonal soft supersymmetry breaking parame…
We discuss the neutrino mixing, using the texture 0 mass matrices, which work very well for the quarks. The solar mixing angle is directly linked to the mass ratio of the first two neutrinos. The neutrino masses are hierarchical, but the mass ratios turn out to be much smaller than for quarks. The atmospheric mixing angle is 38$^{\circ}$. The CP violation for leptons should be much smaller than for quarks.
The experimental data on atmospheric and solar neutrinos suggest that there is near-maximal mixing between ν_μand ν_τbut that their masses are hierarchically separated. In models of Abelian horizontal symmetries, mixing of O(1) generically implies that the corresponding masses are of the same order of magnitude. We describe two new mechanisms by which a large hierarchy between strongly mixed neutrinos can be achieved in this framework. First, a discrete Abelian symmetry can give the desired result in three ways: mass enhancement, mixing enhancement and mass suppression. Second, holomorphic zer…
Flavor symmetry plays a crucial role in the standard model of particle physics but its origin is still unknown. We develop a new method (based on outer automorphisms of the Narain space group) to determine flavor symmetries within compactified string theory. A picture emerges where traditional (discrete) flavor symmetries, CP-like symmetries and modular symmetries (like T-duality) of string theory combine to unified flavor symmetries. The groups depend on the geometry of compact space and the geographical location of fields in the extra dimensions. We observe a phenomenon of "local flavor grou…
We propose a model with flavor dependent gauged symmetries of $\displaystyle \prod_{i=1}^3 U(1)_{B_i-L_i}$ with $i$ the family indices. After formulating the renormalizable Yukawa Lagrangian, Higgs potential and kinetic term, we study the lepton sector based on a successful two-zero texture without introducing extra scalar bosons to avoid the dangerous Goldstone bosons. In particular, we discuss the muon related phenomenologies via additional neutral gauge bosons. In our numerical analysis, we explore the allowed parameter space, in which the anomaly of $B \to K^* \bar μμ$ can be explained.
If supersymmetry exists at low energies, it is necessary to understand why the squark spectrum exhibits sufficient degeneracy to suppress flavor changing neutral currents. In this note, we point out that gauged horizontal symmetries can yield realistic quark mass matrices, while at the same time giving just barely enough squark degeneracy to account for neutral $K$-meson phenomenology. This approach suggests likely patterns for squark masses, and indicates that there could be significant supersymmetric contributions to $B-\bar{B}$ and $D-\bar{D}$ mixing and CP violation in the $K$ and $B$ syst…
Recent atmospheric and solar neutrino experiments suggest that neutrinos have small but nonzero masses. They further suggest that mass eigenvalues have certain degree of hierarchical structures, and also some mixing angles are near-maximal while the others are small. We first survey possible explanations for the smallness of neutrino masses. We then discuss some models in which the hierarchical pattern of neutrino masses and mixing angles arises as a consequence of U(1) flavor symmetries which would explain also the hierarchical quark and charged lepton masses.
An introduction to the heavy quark effective theory and its symmetries is given. Some implications of the heavy quark spin and flavor symmetries are discussed. Recent results on fragmentation to quarkonium states are reviewed.
Approximate flavor symmetries in the quark sector have been used as a handle on physics beyond the Standard Model. Due to the great interest in neutrino masses and mixings and the wealth of existing and proposed neutrino experiments it is important to extend this analysis to the leptonic sector. We show that in the see-saw mechanism, the neutrino masses and mixing angles do not depend on the details of the right-handed neutrino flavor symmetry breaking, and are related by a simple formula. We propose several ansätze which relate different flavor symmetry breaking parameters and find that the M…
In this letter we propose a multi-Higgs extension of the standard model with Abelian and non-Abelian discrete symmetries in which the mass matrices of the charged fermions obtained from renormalizable interactions are diagonal. Corrections induced by non-renormalizable interactions deviate these matrices from the diagonal form. Active neutrinos acquire mass only from non-renormalizable interactions. The main entries of the neutrino mass matrix arise only through dimension five operators, while the diagonal entries arise only from dimension six operators.
We present a supersymmetric SU(5) x U(1)_H model, free from gauge anomalies, where the Abelian factor U(1)_H, introduced to account for the hierarchy of fermion masses and mixings, is broken by the same adjoint representations of SU(5) that also break the GUT symmetry. The model predicts approximate, but never exact, bottom-tau Yukawa unification. The deviations are related to group theoretical coefficients and can naturally be at the level of 10%-20%.
Grand unified theories with fermions transforming as irreducible representations of a discrete nonabelian flavor symmetry can lead to realistic fermion masses, without requiring very small fundamental parameters. We construct a specific example of a supersymmetric GUT based on the flavor symmetry $Δ(75)$ --- a subgroup of $SU(3)$ --- which can explain the observed quark and lepton masses and mixing angles. The model predicts $\tanβ\simeq 2-5$ and gives a $τ$ neutrino mass $m_ν\simeq M_p/G_F M_{GUT}^2 = 10$ eV, with other neutrino masses much lighter. Combined constraints of light quark masses …
We show how introducing discrete Abelian flavor symmetries can produce texture zeros in the fermion mass matrices, while preserving the correct relationships with the low-energy data on quark and lepton masses. We outline a procedure for defining texture zeros as suppressed entries in Yukawa matrices. These texture zeros can account for the coexistence of the observed large mixing in atmospheric neutrino oscillations with a hierarchy in the neutrino masses, and offer the possibility of alignment of the quark and squark mass matrices, and thus giving a solution to the supersymmetric flavor prob…
We classify all possible implementations of an abelian symmetry in the two-Higgs-doublet model with fermions. We identify those symmetries which are consistent with non-vanishing quark masses and a CKM matrix which is not block-diagonal. Our analysis takes us from a plethora of possibilities down to 246 relevant cases, requiring only 34 distinct matrix forms. We show that applying Z_n with n \geq 4 to the scalar sector leads to a continuous U(1) symmetry in the whole Lagrangian. Finally, we address the possibilities of spontaneous CP violation and of natural suppression of the flavour changing…
In this talk, I will present the general structure of RPV couplings when a Froggatt-Nielsen horizontal symmetry is responsible for the flavor structure of both the SM and the MSSM. For sub-TeV ({\it natural}) SUSY, lepton number must be an accidental symmetry, while low-energy SUSY is still allowed by baryonic RPV, which lowers the MET signature of superparticles decays. The largest RPV coupling involves the stop, and it is constrained between $10^{-3}$ (from FCNCs) and $10^{-9}$ (from LHC searches).
Discrete Abelian symmetries ($\mathbb{Z}_N$) are a common "artifact" of beyond the standard model physics models. They provide different avenues for constructing consistent scenarios for lepton and quark mixing patterns, radiative neutrino mass generation as well as dark matter stabilization. We argue that these symmetries can arise from the spontaneous breaking of the Abelian $U(1)$ factors contained in the global flavor symmetry transformations of the gauge invariant kinetic Lagrangian. This will be the case provided the ultra-violet completion responsible for the Yukawa structure involves s…
We present a model of quark and squark masses which is based on a non-Abelian horizontal symmetry. It leads to order of magnitude relations between quark mass ratios and mixing angles and to the successful exact relation $\sin θ_C=\sqrt {m_d\over m_s}$ to better than $20\%$ accuracy. The non-Abelian symmetry also ensures the necessary squark degeneracy to suppress FCNC mediated by loops with squarks and gluinos, in the neutral meson systems.
The lepton flavor violation $μ\to eγ$, $τ\to eγ$, $τ\toμγ$, $μ\to3e$, $τ\to3e$, $τ\to3μ$ and $μ-e$ conversion in Al and Ti are studied in both the Altarelli-Feruglio $A_4$ model and the $S_4$ model of Ding. The rates of these lepton flavor violation process for the inverted hierarchy neutrino mass spectrum are enhanced considerably by the next to leading order contributions. For both models, we find that the $μ-e$ conversion in Ti is within the precision of next generation experiments in all the parameter space considered, the $μ-e$ conversion in Al should be observable at least in a very sign…
