We consider a 5D extension of the DFSZ axion model that addresses both the axion quality and fermion mass hierarchy problems, and predicts flavour-dependent, off-diagonal axion-fermion couplings. The axion is part of a 5D complex scalar field charged under a U(1)$_{PQ}$ symmetry that is spontaneously broken in the bulk, and is insensitive to explicit PQ breaking on the UV boundary. Bulk Standard Model fermions interact with two Higgs doublets that can be localized on the UV boundary or propagate in the bulk to explain the fermion masses and mixings. When the Higgs doublets are localized on the UV boundary, they induce flavour diagonal couplings between the fermions and the axion. However, when the Higgs doublets propagate in the bulk, the overlap of the axion and fermion profiles generates flavour off-diagonal couplings. The effective scale of these off-diagonal couplings in both the quark and lepton sectors can be as small as $10^{11}$ GeV, and therefore will be probed in future precision flavour experiments.
We discuss how LHC di-muon data collected to study $B_q \to μμ$ can be used to constrain light particles with flavour-violating couplings to $b$-quarks. Focussing on the case of a flavoured QCD axion, $a$, we compute the decay rates for $B_q \to μμa$ and the SM background process $B_q \to μμγ$ near the kinematic endpoint. These rates depend on non-perturbative $B_q \to γ^{(*)}$ form factors with on- or off-shell photons. The off-shell form factors -- relevant for generic searches for beyond-the-SM particles -- are discussed in full generality and computed with QCD sum rules for the first time.…
We study a number of realizations of axions existing in a multi-`throat' generalization of the warped throat geometry of a Randall-Sundrum slice of $AdS_5$. As argued by previous authors, the problem of generating a suitable, phenomenologically allowed Peccei-Quinn scale is simply and elegantly solved by the warping. In compactifications with two or more throats it is possible to simultaneously solve the Standard Model hierarchy problem by the Randall-Sundrum mechanism while implementing interesting warped axion models. The constructions discussed are related to holographic duals of previously…
An Extra-Dimensional Axion in a 5D Warped Orbifold GUT
William I. Fine Theoretical Physics Institute, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota（明尼苏达大学物理与天文学院威廉·I·芬理论物理研究所）；School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota（明尼苏达大学物理与天文学院）
We study the axion in a warped heterotic background. It is shown that the axion decay constant, f_a, is sensitive to the warped mass scale of the throat. As an explicit model, we construct a novel AdS-like geometry in heterotic string theory. We demonstrate that in this background f_a is given by the mass scale of the longest throat in the compactification. The question of obtaining f_a within the required bound 10^9--10^12 GeV is reduced to the construction of a throat inside the heterotic string theory compactification with warped mass scale in the above range. This provides a natural mechan…
Recent models of axion monodromy inflation in string theory link the inflationary potential and the moduli stabilization potential. Realistic inflationary models require mechanisms to moderately suppress the inflaton mass with respect to the moduli stabilization scale. In this paper we explore the realization of this idea using warped throats, whose redshifted infrared region supports the inflaton mode. The inflaton potential and its monodromy arise from couplings to the fluxes supporting the throat. We provide explicit realizations of such throats in type IIB with NSNS and RR 3-form field str…
We present a connection between two known solutions to the strong-CP problem: the standard introduction of axions and the extra-dimensional one, relying on topological arguments. Using an equivalent lower-dimensional set-up with a warped extra-dimension but without adding any new fields, it is shown that an additional light degree of freedom appears. Like an axion, it couples to the topological charge density via Fermionic loop corrections. Its decay constant is related to the geometry of the extra dimension and is suppressed by the warping scale.
I review the physics case for flavour violating axions. In particular, I argue that relaxing the assumption of the universality of the Peccei-Quinn current opens up new pathways, including: the relaxation of the Supernova bound on the axion mass, a possible connection with the Standard Model flavour puzzle and the experimental opportunity of discovering the axion via flavoured axion searches.
We study the 10D equation of motion of dilaton-axion fluctuations in type IIB string compactifications with three-form flux, taking warping into account. Using simplified models with physics comparable to actual compactifications, we argue that the lightest mode localizes in long warped throats and takes a mass of order the warped string scale. Also, Gukov-Vafa-Witten superpotential is valid for the lightest mass mode; however, the mass is similar to the Kaluza-Klein scale, so the dilaton-axion should be integrated out of the effective theory in this long throat regime (leaving a constant supe…
Motivated by multi-throat considerations, we study the phenomenological implications of a bulk axion in a slice of AdS_5 with a large extra dimension: k~0.01 eV, kR > 1. In particular, we compare axion physics with a warped geometry to axions in flat compactifications. As in flat compactification scenarios, we find that the mass of the axion can become independent from the underlying Peccei-Quinn scale. Surprisingly, we find that in warped extra dimensions the axion's invisibility, cosmological viability, and basic phenomenology remain essentially unaltered in comparison to axions in flat comp…
We present a particularly simple model of axion monodromy: Our axion is the lowest-lying KK-mode of the RR-2-form-potential $C_2$ in the standard Klebanov-Strassler throat. One can think of this inflaton candidate as being defined by the integral of $C_2$ over the $S^2$ cycle of the throat. It obtains an exponentially small mass from the IR-region in which the $S^2$ shrinks to zero size both with respect to the Planck scale and the mass scale of local modes of the throat. Crucially, the $S^2$ cycle has to be shared between two throats, such that the second locus where the $S^2$ shrinks is also…
We construct a model of quintessence in string theory based on the idea of axion monodromy as discussed by McAllister, Silverstein and Westphal arXiv:0808.0706. In the model, the quintessence field is an axion whose shift symmetry is broken by the presence of 5-branes which are placed in highly warped throats. This gives rise to a potential for the axion field which is slowly varying, even after incorporating the effects of moduli stabilization and supersymmetry breaking. We find that the resulting time dependence in the equation of state of Dark Energy is potentially detectable, depending on …
The Kalb-Ramond field, identifiable with bulk torsion in a five-dimensional Randall Sundrum (RS) scenario, has Chern-Simons interactions with gauge bosons, from the requirement of gauge anomaly cancellation. Its lowest Kaluza Klein (KK) mode on the visible 3-brane can be identified with a spin-0 CP-odd field, namely, the axion. By virtue of the warped geometry and Chern-Simons couplings, this axion has unsuppressed interactions with gauge bosons in contrast to ultra-suppressed interactions with fermions. The ensuing dynamics can lead to a peak in the diphoton spectrum, which could be observed …
We study axion cosmology in a 5D Universe, in the case of flat and warped extra dimension. The comparison between theoretical predictions and observations constrains the 5D axion decay constant and the 5D Planck mass, which has to be taken into account in building 5D axion models. The framework developed in this paper can be readily applied to other bulk fields in brane universes.
We consider the axion arising from five-dimensional supergravity in the presence of boundaries. We find the approximate bosonic effective action to estimate the lower bound on the "Peccei-Quinn" energy scale with a flat bulk. With a warped bulk, one can obtain a scale within the standard window; this puts a bound on the required curvature scale relative to the proper separation between boundaries. We comment on the scalar potential that may ruin the strong-CP resolution, and the effective derivative coupling to matter in 5D hypermultiplets.
We point out that a QCD axion solving the strong CP problem can arise naturally from parity-odd gauge field C_M in 5-dimensional (5D) orbifold field theory. The required axion coupling to the QCD anomaly comes from the 5D Chern-Simons coupling, and all other unwanted U(1)_{PQ} breaking axion couplings can be avoided naturally by the 5D gauge symmetry of C_M and the 5D locality. If the fifth dimension is warped, the resulting axion scale is suppressed by small warp factor compared to the Planck scale, thereby the model can generate naturally an intermediate axion scale f_a=10^{10} - 10^{12}GeV.
Recent PVLAS data put stringent constraints on the measurement of birefringence and dichroism of electromagnetic waves travelling in a constant and homogeneous magnetic field. There have been theoretical predictions in favour of such phenomena when appropriate axion-electromagnetic coupling is assumed. Origin of such a coupling can be traced in a low energy string action from the requirement of quantum consistency. The resulting couplings in such models are an artifact of the compactification of the extra dimensions present inevitably in a string scenario. The moduli parameters which encode th…
