The neutrino option is a scenario where the electroweak scale, and thereby the Higgs mass, is generated simultaneously with neutrino masses in the seesaw model. This occurs via the leading one loop and tree level diagrams matching the seesaw model onto the Standard Model Effective Field Theory. We advance the study of this scenario by determining one loop corrections to the leading order matching results systematically, performing a detailed numerical analysis of the consistency of this approach with Neutrino data and the Standard Model particle masses, and by examining the embedding of this scenario into a more ultraviolet complete model. We find that the neutrino option remains a viable and intriguing scenario to explain the origin of observed particle masses.
We discuss the possible origin of the Majorana mass scale(s) required for the "Neutrino Option" where the electroweak scale is generated simultaneously with light neutrino masses in a type-I seesaw model, by common dimension four interactions. We establish no-go constraints on the perturbative generation of the Majorana masses required due to global symmetries of the seesaw Lagrangian.
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 \times 10^6 < M \text{ (GeV)} < 8.8 \times 10^6…
The Neutrino Option is a scenario where the Higgs mass is generated at the same time as neutrino masses in the type-I seesaw model. This framework provides a dynamical origin for the scalar potential of the Standard Model and suggests a new approach to the hierarchy problem. Here we review the preliminary analysis of Ref. [1], that showed the viability of this scenario, as well as the improved study of Ref. [2], that led to a better identification of the region of the parameter space where the Neutrino Option can be realized. We find that experimental constraints from both Higgs and neutrino p…
We show that when sterile Majorana neutrino masses are generated non-perturbatively through instantonic interactions in certain classes of string compactifications (e.g. Type IIA orientifold models with intersecting D-branes), then the eigenvalue spectrum for the tree-level mass term $M_p$ can be within the preferred range of the Neutrino Option resolution to the electroweak (EW) hierarchy and neutrino mass problems of the Standard Model, i.e. $M_p \sim$ PeV. This mechanism holds without tuning for a broad range of string scales, thereby motivating a novel class of string-completed Neutrino Op…
We discuss the possibility that the Higgs potential and electroweak scale are generated radiatively in a type-I seesaw scenario. A Higgs potential consistent with experimental constraints can be obtained in this hypothesis for a Majorana mass scale $m_N\sim 10-500$ PeV and with neutrino Yukawa couplings of order $|ω|\sim 10^{-4.5}-10^{-6}$. Remarkably, neutrino masses and mixings can be simultaneously accommodated within this parameter space. This framework, that ties together Higgs phenomenology, precision top quark mass measurements and neutrino physics, represents an alternative approach to…
It was recently proposed that the electroweak hierarchy problem is absent if the generation of the Higgs potential stems exclusively from quantum effects of heavy right-handed neutrinos which can also generate active neutrino masses via the type-I seesaw mechanism. Hence, in this framework dubbed the "neutrino option", the tree-level scalar potential is assumed to vanish at high energies. Such a scenario therefore lends itself particularly well to be embedded in a classically scale-invariant theory. In this paper we perform a survey of models featuring conformal symmetry at the high scale. We …
The gauge singlet right-handed neutrinos (RHNs) are essential fields in several neutrino mass models that explain the observed eV scale neutrino mass. We assume RHN field to be present in the vicinity of the electroweak scale and all the other possible beyond the standard model (BSM) fields arise at high energy scale $\geΛ$. In this scenario, the BSM physics can be described using effective field theory (EFT) where the set of canonical degrees of freedoms consists of both RHN and SM fields. EFT of this kind is usually dubbed as $N_{R}$-EFT. We systematically construct relevant operators that c…
We explore invisible neutrino decay in which a heavy active neutrino state decays into a light sterile neutrino state and present a comparative analysis of two baseline options, $540~$km and $360~$km, for the ESSnuSB experimental setup. Our analysis shows that ESSnuSB can put a bound on the decay parameter $τ_3/m_3 = 2.64~(1.68) \times 10^{-11}~$s/eV for the baseline option of $360~(540)~$km at $3 σ$. The expected bound obtained for $360~$km is slightly better than the corresponding one of DUNE for a charged current (CC) analysis. Furthermore, we show that the capability of ESSnuSB to discover…
Leptogenesis appears to be a viable alternative to account for the baryon asymmetry of the universe through baryogenesis. In this context, we consider a scenario in which the standard model is extended with $S_3$ and $Z_2$ symmetry in addition to the two scalar triplets, two scalar doublets and three right handed neutrinos. Presence of scalar triplets and right-handed neutrinos in the scenarios of both type-I and type-II seesaw framework provide a different leptogenesis option and can help us to understand the matter-antimatter asymmetry with simple $S_3$ symmetry. We discuss the neutrino phen…
Within Type-I seesaw mechanism, Higgs mass can be dynamically generated via quantum effects of the right handed neutrinos assuming the potential is nearly conformal at the Ultra-Violet. The scenario, named as the "Neutrino Option" allows RH neutrino mass scale upto $M \lesssim$ $10^7$ GeV to be consistent with light neutrino masses, mixing and Higgs mass. Therefore, it is not consistent with standard hierarchical thermal leptogenesis. Parameter space for thermal resonant leptogenesis is highly constrained in this model. We point out that non-thermal pair production of RH neutrinos from inflato…
There is still a problem in neutrino physics related to the configuration of neutrino masses: Are neutrinos arranged by masses following the Standard Model as three generations of fundamental particles, Gen III>Gen II>Gen I, thus forming a structural-normal hierarchy, or deviate from that principle? The biggest obstacle that is still present is the sign of the absolute value of the difference of the square of neutrino masses. It was avoided by applying the theory of neutrino oscillation probability for each structure of the neutrino mass hierarchy. With such a theoretical approach the equation…
We revisit our previous work [Phys. Rev. D 95, 096014 (2017)] where neutrino oscillation and nonoscillation data were analyzed in the standard framework with three neutrino families, in order to constrain their absolute masses and to probe their ordering (either normal, NO, or inverted, IO). We include updated oscillation results to discuss best fits and allowed ranges for the two squared mass differences $δm^2$ and $Δm^2$, the three mixing angles $θ_{12}$, $θ_{23}$ and $θ_{13}$, as well as constraints on the CP-violating phase $δ$, plus significant indications in favor of NO vs IO at the leve…
The existence of sterile neutrino is an open question in neutrino physics up to now. The method of neutrino oscillometry provides a powerful tool to test the common 3+1 sterile neutrino hypothesis, i.e. three active flavors and one sterile falvor. There are several antineutrino sources can be used for this method. One of them is the well known isotope chain of $^{144}{\rm Ce}-$$^{144}{\rm Pr}$ with initial activity around 50-100 kCi. It has compact size and might be installed either outside or inside the detector. Another one is the short-lived isotope $\rm^8Li$, which can be produced in nucle…
We present the Sommerfeld enhanced Dark Matter (DM) annihilation into gamma ray for a class of three-loop radiative neutrino mass models with large electroweak multiplets where the DM mass is in O(TeV) range. We show that in this model, the DM annihilation rate becomes more prominent for larger multiplets and it is already within the reach of currently operating Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs), High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.). Furthermore, Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), which will begin operating in 2030, will improve this sensitivity by a factor of $\mathcal{O}{(…