In order to explain the fermions masses and mixing parameters appearing in the lepton sector of the Standard Model, one proposes the extension of its symmetry. A discrete, non-abelian subgroup of $U(3)$ is added to the gauge group $SU(3)_{C}\times SU(2)_{L}\times U(1)_{Y}$ . Apart from that, one assumes the existence of one extra Higgs doublet. This article focuses mainly on the mathematical theorems and computational techniques which brought us to the results.
We re-examine the constraints on continuous family symmetries coming from flavour changing neutral current limits on the D-term contributions to squark and slepton masses. We show that, for a restricted choice of the familon sector, continuous family symmetries are consistent with even the most conservative limits both for the case of gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking and the case of gravity mediated supersymmetry breaking.
We show how an accidental $U(1)$ Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry can arise from a discrete $A_4$ family symmetry combined with a discrete flavour symmetry $ \mathbb{Z}_3 \times \mathbb{Z}_5^2 $, in a realistic Pati-Salam unified theory of flavour. Imposing only these discrete flavour symmetries, the axion solution to the strong $ CP $ problem is protected from PQ-breaking operators to the required degree. A QCD axion arises from a linear combination of $ A_4 $ triplet flavons, which are also responsible for fermion flavour structures due to their vacuum alignments. We find that the requirement of a…
Can a theory of flavour capable of describing the spectrum of fermion (including neutrino) masses and mixings also contain within it the seeds for a solution of the SUSY flavour and CP problems? We argue that supergravity together with a non-Abelian family symmetry can completely resolve the SUSY flavour and CP problems in a broad class of theories in which family symmetry and CP is spontaneously broken in the flavon sector. We show that a simple superpotential structure can suppresses the F-terms of the flavons and GUT scale Higgs fields and that, if this mechanism is implemented, the resulti…
We consider a class of discrete flavour symmetries for leptons based on the group S(3) and A(4) with an hybrid breaking pattern. The aim is to construct models in which the same flavon fields producing the mixing pattern are also responsible for the mass hierarchy.
We show how two different family symmetries can be used to address the flavour problem in SO(10)-like models. The first is based on a gauged $U(1)_F$, whose problems dissappear in the context of a type I string model embedding. The second is based on $SU(3)_F$, the maximal family group consistent with SO(10); in this case the family symmetry is more constaining, so we merely look at it in the context of a supersymmetric field theory
In the frame of two Higgs doublet model we try to explain the lepton masses and mixing matrix elements assuming that neutrinos are Dirac particles. Discrete family symmetry groups, which are subgroups of U(3) up to the 1025 order are considered. Like in the one Higgs Standard Model, we found that discrete family symmetries do not give satisfactory answer for this basic questions in the flavour problem.
We investigate the consequences of replacing the continuous flavour symmetry of minimal flavour violation by a discrete group. Goldstone bosons, resulting from the breaking of the continuous flavour symmetry, generically lead to bounds on new flavour structure by many orders of magnitude above the TeV-scale. The absence of Goldstone bosons for discrete symmetries constitutes the primary motivation of our work. The four crystal-like groups Sigma(168), Sigma(72phi), Sigma(216phi) and Sigma(360phi)$ provide enough protection for a discrete TeV-scale MFV scenario in the case where Delta F = 2 proc…
We show how two principles - strong coupling and discrete symmetry - can work together to generate the flavour structure of the Standard Model. We propose that in the UV the full theory has a discrete flavour symmetry, typically only associated with tribimaximal mixing in the neutrino sector. Hierarchies in the particle masses and mixing matrices then emerge from multiple strongly coupled sectors that break this symmetry. This allows for a realistic flavour structure, even in models built around an underlying grand unified theory. We use two different techniques to understand the strongly coup…
In view of the fact that the data on neutrino mixing are still compatible with a situation where Bimaximal mixing is valid in first approximation and it is then corrected by terms of order of the Cabibbo angle, we present examples where these properties are naturally realized. The models are supersymmetric in 4-dimensions and based on the discrete non-Abelian flavour symmetry S4.
Contributions of flavour-changing neutral currents in the 3 3 1 model with right-handed neutrinos to mass difference of the neutral meson system $Δm_P (P = K, D, B)$ are calculated. Using the Fritzsch anzats on quark mixing, we show that the third family should be different from the first two. We obtain a lower bound on mass of the new heavy neutral gauge boson as 1.02 TeV.
Discrete flavour groups have been studied in connection with special patterns of neutrino mixing suggested by the data, such as Tri-Bimaximal mixing (groups A4, S4...) or Bi-Maximal mixing (group S4...) etc. We review the predictions for sin(θ_13) in a number of these models and confront them with the experimental measurements. We compare the performances of the different classes of models in this respect. We then consider, in a supersymmetric framework, the important implications of these flavour symmetries on lepton flavour violating processes, like μ-> e gamma and similar processes. We disc…
We rewrite the Yukawa interactions of the standard model in terms of flavour-dependent vacuum structure to address the family mass hierarchy and CP violation in both the quark sector and lepton sector. It is realized for the first time that the Lagrangian only includes the same number of degrees of freedom as phenomenological observables with no requirement of extra particles or any new symmetry. The quark and lepton mass hierarchy arises as a natural result of the close-to-flat vacuum in flavour space. The CP violation in CKM and PMNS is explained as a general quantum phase between weak gauge…
Discrete non-Abelian Symmetries have been extensively used to reproduce the lepton mixings. In particular, the S4 group turned out to be suitable to describe predictive mixing patterns, such as the well-known Tri-Bimaximal and the Bimaximal schemes, which all represent possible first approximations of the experimental lepton mixing matrix. We review the main application of the S4 discrete group as a flavour symmetry, first dealing with the formalism and later with the phenomenological implications. In particular, we summarize the main features of flavour models based on S4, commenting on their…
Lepton flavour non-conserving processes are examined in the context of unified models with U(1)-family symmetries which reproduce successfully the low-energy hierarchy of the fermion mass spectrum and the Kobayashi - Maskawa mixing. These models usually imply mixing effects in the supersymmetric scalar sector. We construct the fermion and scalar mass matrices in two viable models, and calculate the mixing effects on the $μ\to eγ$, $μ\to 3 e$ and $τ\to μγ$ rare decays. The relevant constraints on the sparticle mass spectrum as well as the role of various MSSM parameters are discussed.
In split-family SUSY, one can use a U(2)^3 symmetry to protect flavour observables in the quark sector from SUSY contributions. However, attempts to extend this procedure to the lepton sector by using an analogous U(2)^5 symmetry fail to reproduce the neutrino data without introducing some form of fine-tuning. In this work, we solve this problem by shifting the U(2)^2 symmetry acting on leptons towards the second and third generations. This allows neutrino data to be reproduced without much difficulties, as well as protecting the leptonic flavour observables from SUSY. Key signatures are a $μ\…
We study the realisation of supersymmetric discrete flavour symmetry models to the thermal history of our universe. We focus on the evolution of the pseudo moduli field among the flavons by taking into account finite temperature corrections. We show that the pseudo moduli flavon dominates the energy density of our universe and this domination makes crucially difficult to realise the flavour symmetry models in our universe. We also discuss possible extensions of the supersymmetric discrete flavour symmetry models which can ensure the consistency of the models with the thermal history of our uni…
Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV) postulates that the only source of flavour changing neutral currents and CP violation, as in the Standard Model, is the CKM matrix. However it does not address the origin of fermion masses and mixing and models that do usually have a structure that goes well beyond the MFV framework. In this paper we compare the MFV predictions with those obtained in models based on spontaneously broken (horizontal) family symmetries, both Abelian and non-Abelian. The generic suppression of flavour changing processes in these models turns out to be weaker than in the MFV hypothe…
We give a consistent definition of generalised CP transformations in the context of discrete flavour symmetries. Non-trivial consistency conditions imply that every generalised CP transformation can be interpreted as a representation of an automorphism of the discrete group. This allows us to give consistent generalised CP transformations of popular flavour groups. We are able to clear up issues concerning recent claims about geometrical CP violation in models based on T', clarify the origin of 'calculable phases' in Delta(27) and explain why apparently CP violating scalar potentials of A4 res…
The current status of our knowledge of the 3-neutrino mixing parameters and of the CP violation in the lepton sector is summarised. The discrete symmetry approach to understanding the observed pattern of neutrino mixing and the related predictions for neutrino mixing angles and leptonic Dirac CP violation are reviewed.
We investigate the consequences of replacing the global flavour symmetry of Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV) SU(3)_QxSU(3)_UxSU(3)_Dx..., by a discrete D_QxD_UxD_Dx.. symmetry. Goldstone bosons resulting from the breaking of the flavour symmetry generically lead to bounds on new flavour structure many orders of magnitude above the TeV-scale. The absence of Goldstone bosons for discrete symmetries constitute the \emph{primary} motivation of our work. Less symmetry implies further invariants and renders the mass flavour basis transformation observable in principle and calls for a hierarchy in the…
We briefly review some recent developments in theoretical models of fermion masses, mixings and CP violation with discrete non-Abelian symmetries. Then, we explain the main ideas of a recently proposed Minimal S_3 Invariant Extension of the Standard Model and its application to a unified analysis of masses, mixings and CP violation in the leptonic and quark sectors as well as the explicit computation of the V_PMNS and V_CKM mixing matrices.
A new mechanism for breaking an internal symmetry spontaneously is discussed, which is intermediate between the Nambu-Goldstone and Wigner modes of symmetry breaking. Here the quark-antiquark sea takes the role of the vacuum of the Nambu-Goldstone case. Flavour symmetry becomes a discrete permutation symmetry of the valence quarks with respect to the sea quarks, which can be spontaneously broken without generation of massless Goldstone bosons.
We discuss a flavourful $Z'$ portal model with a coupling to fourth-family singlet Dirac neutrino dark matter. In the absence of mixing, the $Z'$ is fermiophobic, having no couplings to the three chiral families, but does couple to a fourth vector-like family. Due to mixing effects, the $Z'$ gets induced couplings to second family left-handed lepton doublets and third family left-handed quark doublets. This model can simultaneously account for the measured $B$-decay ratios $R_{K}$ and $R_{K^*}$ and for the observed relic abundance of dark matter. We identify the parameter space where this expl…
Non-abelian discrete symmetries are of particular importance in model building. They are mainly invoked to explain the various fermion mass hierarchies and forbid dangerous superpotential terms. In string models they are usually associated to the geometry of the compactification manifold and more particularly to the magnetised branes in toroidal compactifications. Motivated by these facts, in this note we propose a unified framework to construct representations of finite discrete family groups based on the automorphisms of the discrete and finite Heisenberg group. We focus in particular in the…
We demonstrate how residual flavour symmetries, infrared signatures of symmetry breaking in complete models of flavour, can naturally forbid (or limit in a flavour specific way) flavour-changing neutral currents (FCNC) in multi-Higgs-doublet models (MHDM) without using mass hierarchies. We first review how this model-independent mechanism can control the fermionic mixing patterns of the Standard Model, and then implement the symmetries in the Yukawa sector of MHDM, which allows us to intimately connect the predictivity of a given flavour model with its ability to sequester FCNC. Finally, after…
Models of leptonic flavour with discrete symmetries can provide an attractive explanation of the pattern of elements found in the leptonic mixing matrix. The next generation of neutrino oscillation experiments will allow the mixing parameters to be tested to a new level of precision, crucially measuring the CP violating phase δ for the first time. In this contribution, we present results of a systematic survey of the predictions of a class of models based on residual discrete symmetries and the prospects for excluding such models at medium- and long-term oscillation experiments. We place parti…
An important class of flavour groups, that are subgroups of $U(3)$ and that predict experimentally viable lepton mixing parameters including Majorana phases, is the $Δ(6n^2)$ series. The most well-known member is $Δ(24)=S_4$. I present results of several extensive studies of lepton mixing predictions obtained in models with a $Δ(6n^2)$ flavour group that preserve either the full residual $Z_2\times Z_2$ or a $Z_2$ subgroup for neutrinos and can include a generalised CP symmetry. Predictions include mixing angles and Dirac CP phase generally; and if invariance under a generalised CP symmetry is…
A new class of particle physics models of inflation based on the phase transition associated with the spontaneous breaking of family symmetry is proposed. The Higgs fields responsible for the breaking of family symmetry, the flavons, are natural inflaton candidates or waterfall fields in hybrid inflation. This opens up a rich vein of possible inflation models, all linked to the physics of flavour, with several interesting cosmological implications.
We reconsider basic, in the sense of minimal field content, Pati-Salam x SU(3) family models which make use of the Type I see-saw mechanism to reproduce the observed mixing and mass spectrum in the neutrino sector. The goal of this is to achieve the observed baryon asymmetry through the thermal decay of the lightest right-handed neutrino and at the same time to be consistent with the expected experimental lepton flavour violation sensitivity. This kind of models have been previously considered but it was not possible to achieve a compatibility among all of the ingredients mentioned above. We d…
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…
We evaluate the decays $\ell_1^\pm \to \ell_2^\pm γ$, $Z \to \ell_1^+ \ell_2^-$, and $h \to \ell_1^+ \ell_2^-$, where $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$ are charged leptons with different flavours and $h$ is the scalar particle with mass 125.25 GeV, in a two-Higgs-doublet model where all the Yukawa-coupling matrices conserve the lepton flavours but the Majorana mass terms of the right-handed neutrinos break the flavour lepton numbers. We find that (1) the decays $\ell_1^\pm \to \ell_2^\pm γ$ require large Yukawa couplings and very light right-handed neutrinos in order to be visible, (2) the decays $Z \to \…
We show how the SUSY flavour and CP problems can be solved using gauged SU(3) family symmetry previously introduced to describe quark and lepton masses and mixings, in particular neutrino tri-bimaximal mixing via constrained sequential dominance. The Yukawa and soft trilinear and scalar mass squared matrices and kinetic terms are expanded in powers of the flavons used to spontaneously break the SU(3) family symmetry, and the canonically normalized versions of these matrices are constructed. The soft mass matrices are then expressed in the Super-CKM basis, and the leading order mass insertion p…
The flavour puzzle is an open problem both in the Standard Model and in its possible supersymmetric or grand unified extensions. In this thesis, we discuss possible explanations of the origin of fermion mass hierarchies and mixings by the use of non-Abelian discrete flavour symmetries. We present a T'- and an S4-based realisations in which the spontaneous breaking of the symmetry produces realistic fermion mass hierarchies, the quark mixing matrix comparable to the Wolfenstein parametrisation and the lepton mixing matrix close to the so-called tribimaximal pattern. We also present an alternati…
We show how approximate Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV) can emerge from an SU(5) Supersymmetric Grand Unified Theory (SUSY GUT) supplemented by an S4 x U(1) family symmetry, which provides a good description of all quark and lepton (including neutrino) masses, mixings and CP violation. Assuming a SUSY breaking mechanism which respects the family symmetry, we calculate in full explicit detail the low energy mass insertion parameters in the super-CKM basis, including the effects of canonical normalisation and renormalisation group running. We find that the very simple family symmetry S4 x U(1) i…
We review the application of non-Abelian discrete groups to Tri-Bimaximal (TB) neutrino mixing, which is supported by experiment as a possible good first approximation to the data. After summarizing the motivation and the formalism, we discuss specific models, mainly those based on A4 but also on other finite groups, and their phenomenological implications, including the extension to quarks. The recent measurements of θ_13 favour versions of these models where a suitable mechanism leads to corrections to θ_13 that can naturally be larger than those to θ_12 and θ_23. The virtues and the problem…
We study the charged lepton flavour violation in a popular neutrino mass model with $A_4$ discrete symmetry. This symmetry requires the presence of multiple Higgs doublets in the model and it also dictates the flavour violating Yukawa couplings of the additional neutral scalars of the model. Such couplings lead to the decays of the neutral mesons, the top quark and the $τ$ lepton into charged leptons of different flavours at tree level. The $A_4$ symmetry of the model leads to certain characteristic signatures in these decays. We discuss these signatures and predict the rates for the most favo…
We demonstrate that an $SU(2)_L\times U(1)_Y$ model with extended Higgs sector gives rise to bi-maximal neutrino mixing through the incorporation of SO(3) flavour symmetry and discrete symmetry. The neutrino and the charged lepton masses are generated due to higher dimensional terms. The hierarchical structures of neutrinos and charged leptons are obtained due to inclusion of SO(3) flavour symmetry and discrete symmetry.The model can accommodate the vacuum oscillation solution of solar neutrino problem, through reasonable choice of model parameters along with the atmospheric neutrino experimen…
We employ a bottom-up and model-independent technique to search for non-Abelian discrete flavour symmetries capable of predicting viable CKM and PMNS matrices alongside of special patterns of leptoquark couplings. In particular, we analyze patterns derived when an ultra-violet flavour theory is assumed to break to global Abelian symmetries in Standard Model fermion masses and new Yukawa-like terms sourced by the leptoquark representation. The phenomenology of different classes of these `simplified models' can be explored without reference to explicit model-building assumptions, e.g. the nature…
We discuss $Z$ mediated flavour changing neutral currents within a model where the hierarchical quark and lepton masses are explained via a fourth vector-like family, together with a scalar sector consisting of two Higgs doublets augmented by a gauge singlet scalar field that spontaneously breaks an extra global $U(1)^{\prime}$ symmetry. The $Z$ mediated flavor violating interactions arise from the mixings between the SM fermions and the vector-like fermions, where the mixing is discussed in an analytic approximation and also exactly numerically. We first discuss charged lepton flavor violatin…
We consider a new approach to fermion masses and mixings in which no special "horizontal" dynamics is invoked to account for the hierarchical pattern of charged fermion masses and for the peculiar features of neutrino masses. The hierarchy follows from the vertical, family-independent structure of the model, in particular from the breaking pattern of the Pati-Salam group. The lightness of the first two fermion families can be related to two family symmetries emerging in this context as accidental symmetries.
We show how a non-Abelian family symmetry Delta(27) can be used to solve the flavour problem of supersymmetric standard models containing three Higgs families such as the Exceptional Supersymmetric Standard Model (E(6)SSM). The three 27 dimensional families of the E(6)SSM, including the three families of Higgs fields, transform in a triplet representation of the Delta(27) family symmetry, allowing the family symmetry to commute with a possible high energy E(6) symmetry. The Delta(27) family symmetry here provides a high energy understanding of the Z(2)H symmetry of the E(6)SSM, which solves th…
We study supersymmetric models of lepton and baryon number violation based on an abelian family gauge group. Due to possible lepton-Higgs mixing, the lepton violating couplings are related to the Yukawa couplings and may be generated by them even if they were absent in the original theory. Such terms may be dominant and are not given by the naive family charge counting rules. This enhancement mechanism can provide an alignment between lepton-number violating terms and Yukawa couplings: as a result they conserve quark flavour. A natural way of suppressing baryon number violation in this class o…
We study classes of models which are based on some discrete family symmetry which is completely broken such that the observed neutrino flavour symmetry emerges indirectly as an accidental symmetry. For such "indirect" models we discuss the D-term flavon vacuum alignments which are required for such an accidental flavour symmetry consistent with tri-bimaximal lepton mixing to emerge. We identify large classes of suitable discrete family symmetries, namely the $Δ(3n^2)$ and $Δ(6n^2)$ groups, together with other examples such as $Z_7\rtimes Z_3$. In such indirect models the implementation of the …
We show that a non-vanishing angle theta_13 of order 0.1 can be predicted in the framework of discrete flavour symmetries. We assume that left-handed leptons transform as triplets under a group G_f which is broken in such a way that neutrino and charged lepton sectors remain invariant under the subgroups G_nu and G_e of G_f, respectively. In this limit mixing angles and the Dirac CP violating phase delta_CP are determined. By choosing G_f=Delta(6 n^2) (n=4,8), G_nu=Z_2 x Z_2 and G_e=Z_3 we find sin^2 theta_13=0.045(0.011) for n=4(8). At the same time theta_23 and theta_12 remain close to their…
We point out that in the Standard Model (SM) there is no explanation why $|V_{23}|^2 + |V_{13}|^2$ is of order $10^{-3}$. A framework is described for explaining this small mixing, involving the introduction of vector-like quarks. A symmetry is introduced so that at a first stage $V_{CKM} = 1\>\!\!\!\mathrm{I}$ and only the third generation of quarks acquires a mass. It is shown that when interactions of vector-like quarks are taken into account a realistic quark mass spectrum is generated together with a correct $V_{CKM}$ matrix.
The flavour-changing neutral currents (FCNC) are derived at tree level if the electroweak gauge group depends on the fermion family, which are absent in the standard model. We study the lepton flavour violation (LFV) through the FCNC interactions in a nonuniversal gauge interaction model where the third generation fermions are subjected to the separate SU(2)$_L$ gauge group.
We construct a simple model of fermion masses based on a spontaneously broken S3 X Z3 flavour group. At the leading order, in the neutrino sector S3 is broken down to a ν_μ-ν_τparity subgroup that enforces a maximal atmospheric mixing angle and a vanishing θ_{13}. In the charged lepton sector the ν_μ-ν_τparity is maximally broken and the resulting mass matrix is nearly diagonal. The charged lepton mass hierarchy is automatically reproduced by the S3 symmetry breaking parameter alone. A careful analysis shows that, after the inclusion of all relevant subleading effects, the model predicts θ_{23…
We conjecture the existence of a relation between elementary scalars and fermions, making it plausible the existence of three Higgs doublets. We introduce a Trinity Principle (TP) which, given the fact that there are no massless quarks, requires the existence of a minimum of three Higgs doublets. The TP states that each line of the mass matrix of a quark of a given charge should receive the contribution from one and only one scalar doublet and furthermore a given scalar doublet should contribute to one and only one line of the mass matrix of a quark of a given charge. This principle is analogo…
We argue that flavour mixing, both in the quark and lepton sector, follows the minimal mixing pattern, according to which the whole of this mixing is basically determined by the physical mass generation for the first family of fermions. So, in the chiral symmetry limit when the masses of the lightest ($u$ and $d$) quarks vanish, all the quark mixing angles vanish. This minimal pattern is shown to fit extremely well the already established CKM matrix elements and to give fairly distinctive predictions for the as yet poorly known ones. Remarkably, together with generically small quark mixing, it…
The idea of unification attempts to explain the structure of the Standard Model (SM) in terms of fewer fundamental forces and/or matter fields. However, traditional grand unified theories based on $SU(5)$ and $\mathrm{Spin}(10)$ shed no light on the existence of three generations of fermions, nor the distinctive pattern of their Yukawa couplings to the Higgs. We discuss two routes for unifying the SM gauge symmetry with its flavour symmetries: firstly, unifying flavour with electroweak symmetries via the group $SU(4) \times Sp(6)_L \times Sp(6)_R$; secondly, unifying flavour and colour via $SU…
We argue that flavour mixing, both in the quark and charged lepton sector, is basically determined by the lightest family mass generation mechanism. So, in the chiral symmetry limit when the up and down quark masses vanish, all the quark mixing angles vanish. This mechanism is not dependent on the number of quark-lepton families nor on any ``vertical'' symmetry structure, unifying quarks and leptons inside a family as in Grand Unified Theories. Together with a hypothesis of maximal CP violation, the model leads to a completely predictive ansatz for all the CKM matrix elements in terms of the q…
We consider the problem of trying to understand the recently measured neutrino data simultaneously with understanding the heirarchical form of quark and charged lepton Yukawa matrices. We summarise the data that a sucessful model of neutrino mass must predict, and then move on to attempting to do so in the context of spontaneously broken `family' symmetries. We consider first an abelian U(1) family symmetry, which appears in the context of a type I string model. Then we consider a model based on a non-abelian SU(3)_F, which is the maximal family group consitent with an SO(10) GUT. In this case…
Present situation in the flavour mixing of quarks and leptons is briefly reviewed and a new approach called the Minimal Flavour Mixing (MFM) is considered in detail. According to MFM the whole of the flavour mixing is basically determined by the physical mass generation of the first family of fermions. So, in the chiral symmetry limit when the masses of the lightest quarks, u and d, vanish, all the weak mixing angle vanish. This minimal pattern is shown to fit extremely well the already established CKM matrix elements and to give fairly distinctive predictions for the as yet poorly known ones.…
Flavour models typically rely on flavons - scalars that break the family symmetry by acquiring vacuum expectation values in specific directions. We develop the idea of effective alignments, i.e.\ cases where the contractions of multiple flavons give rise to directions that are hard or impossible to obtain directly by breaking the family symmetry. Focusing on the example where the symmetry is $S_4$, we list the effective alignments that can be obtained from flavons vacuum expectation values that arise naturally from $S_4$. Using those effective alignments as building blocks, it is possible to c…
